Northern Illinois has harder cold than Chicago and a record of strong wind and tornadoes, so look at your door before winter and after every big storm. Check the bottom seal, the track and the balance of the door. Stop using a door that is crooked, scraping or heavy, and call a technician.
What the weather record says
The National Weather Service recorded minus 31 degrees at the Rockford airport on January 31, 2019, a new record, with a wind chill of minus 51 the day before. Wikipedia's table of NOAA 1991-2020 normals puts the January average high in Rockford at 29.1 degrees and annual snowfall at 37.1 inches.
Wind matters too. On August 10, 2020 the National Weather Service documented an EF-0 tornado in southwest Rockford and an EF-1 from Rockford to Caledonia. On March 31, 2023 an EF-1 tornado crossed about six miles of Rockford, mostly causing tree damage and minor roof damage to homes.
Housing in four northern cities
The Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 survey gives a median year built of 1963 in Rockford, about 22 percent of homes built in 1939 or earlier. Crystal Lake is newer at 1986, with about two thirds of homes detached. Elgin is at 1977 and about 62 percent detached.
DeKalb has a median of 1976, and close to 40 percent of its homes are in buildings of five or more units, so garage door calls there come mostly from its houses and townhomes.
A cold-weather routine
Before the first freeze
Look at the bottom seal and the weatherstripping. Replace anything cracked, flattened or torn.
After snow or ice
Clear the floor line and the sensors. Do not press the button again and again if the door sticks.
If the door will not lift
Check for ice under the seal, then try the remote again once. Pull the release handle if the opener strains.
If it feels heavy
Stop. A heavy door usually means a worn spring or cable, which needs a technician.
After a wind or tornado warning
- Check the door from outside and inside for dents, bent sections and gaps.
- Look at the track on both sides for bends or a section that sits crooked.
- Do not run the opener if the door scrapes or hangs unevenly.
- Photograph damage before anything is moved or repaired.
- Keep people clear of a door that is damaged and still raised.
A door that only has a small dent and runs smoothly can usually keep being used while you plan the repair.
What to check by season
| Season | Check | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Seals, rollers and the release handle | Replace worn parts and learn where the handle is |
| Winter | Ice at the floor and remote batteries | Clear it gently; do not force the door |
| Spring | Track, hinges and sensors after storms | Straighten what you can see, call for what you cannot |
| Summer | Opener noise and door balance | Book bigger work before the next cold season |
Garage doors differ; a technician confirms the cause on site.
Choosing a repair company
The Illinois Attorney General says general contractors are not required by state law to have a license, and that municipalities may require permits. Ask your city or village, and get written estimates from more than one company.
For repair work costing more than one thousand dollars the Home Repair and Remodeling Act requires a written contract signed by both sides. Avoid cash payments and anyone who offers a free inspection at your door.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Illinois, including Rockford, Crystal Lake, DeKalb and Elgin. See garage door repair and spring repair, and call or send your details with a few photos.
Questions people ask
How cold does it get in Rockford?
The National Weather Service recorded minus 31 degrees at the Rockford airport on January 31, 2019, a new record. The January average high is 29.1 degrees, according to NOAA normals shown on Wikipedia.
Why will my garage door not lift after a freeze?
Ice may be holding the bottom seal to the floor. Clear it gently and try once more. Do not keep pressing the button, and call for service if the door still strains.
What should I check after a storm?
Look for dents, bent sections, gaps and a crooked track. If the door scrapes or hangs uneven, stop using it and call a technician.
Does Illinois require garage door contractors to have a license?
The Illinois Attorney General says general contractors are not required by state law to have a license, though municipalities may require permits.
Our related services
Cities near you
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.
Read next
Sources
- National Weather Service Chicago: Record cold, January 2019 (O'Hare, Midway and Rockford lows and wind chills)
- National Weather Service Chicago: Derecho of August 10, 2020 (customers without power, Rockford tornadoes)
- National Weather Service Chicago: Severe storms of March 31, 2023 (Rockford EF-1 tornado)
- Wikipedia: Rockford, Illinois (climate table with NOAA 1991-2020 normals)
- Illinois Attorney General: Warning about storm-related repair scams (state license rule, permits, written contracts, cancellation)
- Census Reporter, ACS 2020-2024 5-year housing tables (year built, units in structure): Rockford, Crystal Lake, DeKalb, Elgin