My Craftsman 1/2 HP Garage Door opener always takes 3 or 4 attempts to open the garage door in colder weather (under 50 degrees temperature). It goes up about 1/4 of the way and just stops then we close it and try again for 3-4 times and it finally opens the door. If its really cold it takes more attempts. In warm weather (above
60 or 70 degrees) it opens with no problems on the first attempt.
I greased the chain and rollers alot but still doesnt help. Please advise what I can do to fix the issue?
First with the door down, disconnect the opener from the door. Then raise the door manually. It should stay without help from you about half way open. Open it the rest of the way. It should move easily without jams or hold ups. My guess is it will require a lot more effort to lift it than to lower it. If so then the springs need adjusting. There are two kinds of springs, but I strongly suggest that unless you know what you are doing (and asking the question would lead me to guess you don't have experience and the tools for this) I suggest calling in the professional.
If it is hard to both open and close then it may be time to _clean_ the rollers and chain and re lube it with the specified lube.
Problem is caused by contraction of the metal frame. I am not expert enough to suggest solutions except lubricating everything in sight with something that works in cold weather.
Every winter I have to increase the up/down force on my Craftsman 1/2 HP Garage Door opener to prevent the exact symptoms you describe. I've never had a problem at 50 degrees, but once it hits the 30's it's time for an adjustment. In the spring, I turn it back down as part of my spring chores.
BTW - you didn't say how old your GDO is - mine's over 20 YO.
It is a laugh to read about you southern softies talking about "colder" weather in relationship to doors, concrete and many other subjects. Here, temperatures below 50 degrees are a nice warm spring day. Cold doesn't start until the temperature goes below 30 degrees, and that can be a mild day, it doesn't really get real cold until it starts to dive below 0 degrees. Northerners learn to do everything in that temperature. Buildings get built, concrete poured, doors open and close, cars start and run, people go to work, children go to school.
While a 50 degree day may be 50 degrees below a 100 degree day (we get those too), it should have no effect on a garage door opening, other than your door needs service in any temperature. I don't think you can find a temperature related solution other than it has a problem.
Every winter I have to increase the up/down force on my Craftsman 1/2 HP Garage Door opener to prevent the exact symptoms you describe. I've never had a problem at 50 degrees, but once it hits the 30's it's time for an adjustment. In the spring, I turn it back down as part of my spring chores.
BTW - you didn't say how old your GDO is - mine's over 20 YO.
The colder it gets, the thicker the grease gets, and the more force needed to open it. You may have to adjust the up/down force on the opener to compensate for the thick grease.
Here in Houston, it snows - mayber a quarter inch - once every ten years. They close the schools, freeways, everything. People stock up on canned goods and huddle in the family room wearing everything they own. Prayers are not uncommon. Visitors from the North giggle uncontrollably.
When a hurricane approaches, we stock up on beer and Strawberry PopTarts and invite the neighbors for a party. Our northern visitors look down and say "Feet, make tracks!"
That said, my area tomorrow is testing the emergency evacuation routes again. Norfolk area has one major problem. There's really only one main way out. In a hurricane, the tunnels and bridges arent usable so they change I-64 to entirely westbound all the way to the Richmond beltway. Even with that, if you don't get out before the storm starts, you can't use that route. It's thickly treelined and only dual lane along long sections of it between us and Richmond.
Katrina was bad, but a cat 5 here will catch a huge metro area unable to evacuate at all. A locally well known problem. We'd need 4 days I think they said. Me, I'd dive off to route 58 which is less treelined so less apt to be blocked. Smaller though, single lane each way.
I've ridden several out here and up to Cat3, it's just a few down trees and no power. Makes a mess of getting around, but there only 2 trees I have to worry about. If we all sleep in the master bedroom or livingroom, we are well out of where they can hurt us. Did that last time. I think that was Floyd.
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