As a mechanic, you probably rely on your overhead garage doors all year long. As the temperatures begin to drop for winter, however, it's important to follow a few simple tips. Then, you can help prevent issues at your shop all winter long.

1. Keep the Doors Closed

There's a good chance that your shop gets cold during the winter months, so it's a good idea to keep your garage doors closed when there aren't vehicles coming in and out of them. This will help keep your shop as warm as possible, especially if you put new weatherstripping on the bottom of each garage door to create a better seal.

2. Use Rock Salt or Deicing Solution

It's a good idea to invest in either rock salt or a commercial deicing solution to use underneath your garage doors and to scatter in other areas around your shop. Since you will probably be keeping your garage doors shut a lot more, you don't want to find that you can't open them when you need to because they have been frozen shut. If you keep rock salt or a deicing solution underneath each door, however, it will help prevent them from freezing. Plus, the rock salt or deicer will help provide traction for both busy mechanics in your shop and the customers who bring their cars in and out, so you can help prevent accidents -- and lawsuits.

3. Lubricate All Moving Parts

It's always important to lubricate the moving parts of your garage doors, but it's especially important to do so during the winter. This is because your moving can become frozen and can make it difficult for your garage doors to open and close. You can use any lubricant that you have around your shop for automotive use, but make sure that you don't use too much. It's also a good opportunity to clean the tracks on your garage doors to get rid of any debris from the shop that might otherwise hinder each door's ability to function.

As the winter approaches, you are probably preparing for lots of business, such as preparing people's cars for holiday road trips. You don't want to have any issues with your garage doors, so try following these tips as the temperatures drop. Then, you can keep your shop warm and prevent any winter weather-related problems from occurring and can instead focus on your work.

For more tips or help with repairs, contact a a professional garage door company, like Shank Door, to prepare your doors for winter before cold weather sets in.