Garage Door Frozen to the Floor
After a thaw and a hard freeze, water under the bottom seal can lock the door to the floor. Forcing it with the opener can tear the seal or damage the opener.
Request a technicianDon't keep pushing the button
If the door won't lift, stop. The opener can strip gears or pull the door off track.
Free the seal
Use a plastic scraper or warm (not boiling) water to loosen the seal, then dry the area.
Clear slush
Remove melting snow before it refreezes under the door.
Silicone spray
Silicone on the rubber seal helps keep it from sticking.
Floor slope
A floor that slopes toward the door collects water; a threshold seal can help.
Replace old seals
Cracked seals hold water. New seals close more evenly.
Garage heat
A little heat in an attached garage reduces freezing.
When to call
If the door is damaged or won't move once freed, call a technician.
Next
See garage door repair.
Prevent it next time
Brush snow off the car before pulling in, keep a squeegee by the door to push meltwater out, and close the door only after clearing slush from under it.
More garage door repair guides
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