Snowfall varies a lot across western Massachusetts, so a garage door in a hill town works harder than one in the valley. Check the seal, the springs and the opener in fall and spring, and ask your building department about permits before a new door. Emil Garage Doors repairs doors in Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Amherst and Pittsfield.
A wide region with different winters
Western Massachusetts runs from the river towns of the Pioneer Valley up into the Berkshire hills, and winter is not the same across it. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals list 36.5 inches of snow a year for Amherst and 77.1 inches for Worthington, the one hill town on the list, so the same door can see twice the snow a few miles of elevation away.
More snow means more days of ice on the seal, more pushing of snow against the door and more cold starts for the opener. A technician in your area will know what your road sees.
What snow and ice do to a door
- A frozen bottom seal that tears when the door lifts
- A door that sticks halfway because ice has built up in the track
- An opener that strains because the door is heavier or stiffer than normal
- Salt from the road or driveway that rusts hinges, brackets and the bottom of the panels
Amarr says to clean more often if you live where road salt is used on the driveway, and to wash the door once a year with a sponge and thorough rinsing, not a pressure washer.
What to check each season
Fall
Look at the seal, rollers, hinges and track. Tighten loose screws and replace anything cracked or worn before freezing weather.
Winter
Clear snow and ice from the bottom of the door before you run it. If the door sticks, do not force the opener.
Spring
Wash off salt, look for rust and lubricate the moving parts except plastic rollers.
Summer
Test the photo eyes and the auto-reverse, and check the remote and keypad.
Amarr recommends a routine check twice a year, which is one in fall and one in spring.
Permits, towns and condo rules
Each town has its own building department. The City of Pittsfield says that work that replaces windows and doors will likely require a permit and advises you to call the Building Department when in doubt. It does not name garage doors, so ask before you order, especially if you change the size of the opening or add an opener.
Condo associations and historic districts can add their own rules on color and style. Ask for them in writing before you choose a door.
Quick answers
How much snow does Amherst get?
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals list 36.5 inches a year for Amherst.
Does a garage door replacement need a permit in Pittsfield?
The city says replacing windows and doors will likely require a permit and advises calling the Building Department when in doubt. It does not name garage doors, so ask before you order.
How often should I service my garage door?
Amarr recommends a routine check twice a year. Wash the door once a year and more often where road salt is used.
Should I fix a broken spring myself?
No. Manufacturers such as Garaga advise leaving spring work to a professional because springs are under tension.
Springs, cables and openers in older homes
Garaga says torsion springs should last around 10,000 cycles and about five to seven years, and that rust and cold weather can affect them. A spring that has used up its cycles can break on any day, so a door that is old and heavily used is worth a check before winter.
Springs and cables are under tension. If a spring looks broken, a cable has frayed or the door is crooked, stop using the door and call a technician. See spring repair for what a visit includes.
Choosing a repair company
Ask for a written quote that lists each part and the labor. Ask the technician to show you the worn or broken part. If a company wants to replace the whole door for a single bent roller or a worn seal, ask for a second opinion. For ideas on when replacement makes sense, see repair or replace a garage door in Massachusetts.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Massachusetts, including Chicopee, Holyoke, Amherst and Pittsfield. Call or send your details and we book the soonest visit.
Our related services
Cities near you
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.
Read next
Sources
- Current Results: Average annual snowfall in Massachusetts (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals for Worcester, Boston, Amherst, Hyannis and Worthington)
- Amarr: Garage door care and maintenance (yearly washing, salt air, lubrication, twice-a-year checks, no pressure washing)
- City of Pittsfield: Building permit applications, general information (when you need a permit, doors and windows)
- Garaga: The secrets of garage door torsion springs (cycle rating, lifespan, rust and cold weather, do not repair them yourself)