This beautiful garage door is a 9’ x 8’ black Standard+ Shaker-Flat XL with clear windows.
Keep the Outside Where It Belongs – Out of Your Garage
If you have even a tiny gap at the bottom of your garage door, it can leave an opening for things that should be outside to get in. You don’t want mice, insects, and other pests ruining your belongings and making their home inside.
You also want to guard your possessions against the weather. Gaps in garage doors can let in plenty of rain, cold, snow, or even sand. This can be a problem if moisture gets to your storage area, or if it begins to ruin the structure of your garage. Weather creeping inside also makes the utility bills skyrocket.
These problems can be avoided! Keep your garage door closed tight with these three tips.
Tip #1: Check the Weatherstripping Around Your Garage Door
What exactly is weatherstripping?
Garage doors all have a material that is placed around the edges of the door to provide a seal against the weather. This is called the weatherstrip. It is made out of PVC or rubber in most cases, although it may be another material depending on the model of your garage door. This product helps increase the insulation rating of the door but also improves durability.
Most garage doors will have a flexible u-shaped bottom weatherstripping. This works for most flooring materials and is very easy to install. It also has a great insulation rating. It is rated to withstand temperatures as low as -62 degrees F (that’s -52 degrees C!).
The U-shaped bottom weatherstripping, like the one above, is usually made of PVC or rubber.
How often should weatherstripping be replaced?
Do a routine check to make sure the weatherstripping on the bottom of your garage door isn’t showing signs of cracking or breaking apart. If it appears to be drying out and breaking, especially right before the cold weather hits, you will want to replace it.
You can also help maintain the weatherstripping a little longer with regular maintenance. This can reduce the costs associated with a full replacement.
Add lubricant to your garage door to help prevent the weatherstripping from wearing out too soon.
Use a silicone-based lubricant for the weatherstripping to keep the PVC supple. Other products, such as petroleum-based products, will reduce the PVC’s effectiveness by hardening it.
It’s a good idea to perform this check and add lubricant twice a year. Do so once in the spring, to take care of any extra wear and tear from the winter. Do it again in the fall to prepare for the winter and prevent damages in the upcoming harsh weather.
This process will reduce problems from melted snow and cold temperatures. But you may still need to replace the weatherstripping over time.
Be sure that you know what type of weatherstripping is best for your needs. The best way to find what is right for your home is to talk to a professional.
How to Change the Bottom Weatherstripping
There are some great DIY instructions out there on how to successfully replace the bottom weatherstripping of your garage door. You will need to have all the tools to follow the steps safely.
However, the best way to ensure that this change is done safely is to ask for a professional’s help. When a garage door specialist changes the bottom weatherstripping, you’ll have peace of mind knowing the new weatherstripping was installed correctly.
Tip #2: Do a Routine Check of the Garage Floor
There must be both an inward and an outward slope to direct water outside the door threshold. The placement of the bottom weatherstripping does make a difference.
The Ground Outside the Garage Door
Make sure that the ground outside of your garage has an outward slope if possible. This directs water to drain away from your door and towards the street.
The Ground Inside the Garage
First, look at the floor right where the garage door rests when it is closed.
Are there any cracks or bumps in the ground? This can prevent the bottom weatherstripping from sitting evenly on the floor and creating a firm seal. If the quality of the floor cannot be fixed, consider a u-shaped bottom weatherstrip, which can adjust to an uneven surface to create a seal.
Another option to consider if the floor is uneven is a garage door seal strip.
These can be purchased and applied to the floor to help fill in areas of unevenness. These strips are made of flexible rubber material, and you can easily install them yourself. Just cut them to the right size and glue them down – it really is that simple.
If the floor is even and not cracked, but you want to prevent wear and tear to the weatherstripping, consider what finish the garage floor has. There are many resistant, durable finishes for concrete floors that can help extend the life of the garage door.
For example, epoxy makes the floor very durable and attractive. Paint can also help create a smooth, attractive surface. If the floor is not concrete, consider rigid plastic, rubber, or wooden tiles. You can also use a roll-out mat to help cover the garage floor. Any of these options can make a durable, smooth surface for the garage door.
Are There Cracks in the Floor?
If you have a concrete floor, you may see cracks forming over time. This can allow in pests and weather just as much as the door itself. Wondering why concrete floors crack and how to solve this problem?
The floor may have what is called “cold joints”. This is caused when the concrete is not mixed together well during the installation process. The problem may also be that the foundation is settling under the garage. There may have been inadequate preparation during installation that has led to what are called hairline cracks.
Should you be concerned about this hairline crack? Image by Pixabay.
While cracks in concrete are sometimes unavoidable, you can try to control where the crack forms by cutting joints that prevent cracks from spreading in certain directions. Keep an eye out for cracks that could be revealing problems with the foundation.
Tip #3: Give Your Garage Door Opener an Adjustment
The final tip we have for fixing that gap in your garage door is to adjust the settings on your garage door opener. You want the garage door to close firmly, with a good seal, but not to crush that quality weatherstripping.
Your garage door opener manual should have instructions on how to adjust the settings. After you adjust the settings, test both the Protector System and the Safety Reversal System to ensure that everything is working as it should.
How do you know the garage door is where it should be?
Close it and ensure that it is totally closed. Then, slip your finger under the weatherstripping. If you can easily push your fingers through this space, you have adjusted everything correctly.
This beautiful home features a Cambridge CM design, 9’ x 7’, Ice White garage door and overlays, with 4 lite Panoramic windows.
Contact Our Professional Team Today
If you need a garage door specialist, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Our team is certified to install, assess, and repair garage doors to ensure the perfect fit and performance. At Mortland Door Systems, long-lasting and weather-resistant garage doors are a must! You won’t have any troubles with pests or bad weather when our team is involved in the installation and maintenance of your garage door.
Build Your Custom Garage Door
If you want a beautiful garage door that matches the style of your home, check out our Design Centre. This tool allows you to browse the image gallery of garage door designs and then customize your own dream look.
We offer different garage door services for your needs, including replacing weatherstripping and regular maintenance.
Contact us any time at 781-826-2212 or get a free quote by email.
We look forward to helping you design the ideal garage door for your home.
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