Discover How Easy It Is to Adjust the Gap Under Your Garage Door

Is this your style? This garage door is a Standard+ Shaker-Flat XL, 9' x 8', Black, Clear windows.

Prevent unwelcome guests from getting into your garage

If you have a gap under your garage door, it’s a welcome sign for houseguests you don’t want. Think mice, insects, and other pests. Imagine them scurrying under the gap and finding a warm, welcoming place to set up their new homes, gnawing through your precious belongings and soiling them with filth.

It’s not just pests, though. A gap under your door also leaves your garage open to any number of other threats, including wind, rain, snow, and sleet. Moisture can damage things in your garage, and there’s even the chance that the extra cold that seeps in can drive up your utility bills.

It’s not a fate you want to experience, but there is good news. We have three quick tips to help you keep your garage door closed and your space protected all year long.

Tip #1: Look at the weatherstripping

Have you inspected the bottom weatherstrip on the door?

A garage door weatherstrip is responsible for sealing the gap between the door and the concrete underneath. It’s usually made from PVC or rubber and is flexible. If your weatherstrip is worn, brittle, or inflexible, it will not work well. Replacing it can make a very big difference in how well insulated and protected your garage is.

U-shaped bottom weatherstripping can resist strong winds and harsh temperatures as low as -62℉ (-52℃). It is also waterproof and will help prevent pests from getting into your garage.

A closeup of U-shaped weatherstripping.

When does weatherstripping need to be changed?

Weatherstripping is designed to last for many years. However, it will wear out and need to be replaced eventually. Here are some signs to look for:

● It no longer meets the floor.

● The material has become brittle.

● The material is no longer flexible.

● You see cracks in the material.

● The weatherstripping is breaking apart.

Any of these signs is an indication that your need to replace your weather stripping. Make sure you check the seal of your garage door at least once per year, preferably during the fall before winter’s inclement weather moves in.

Regular maintenance is another important step to help ensure that your weatherstripping stands the test of time. Like every other part of the garage, the weatherstripping needs a little TLC throughout the year to help prevent it from drying and cracking.

Pro Tip: Make sure to use lubricant while maintaining your garage.

The right lubricant is important. Avoid petroleum-based products because they can actually cause the weatherstripping to harden. Instead, opt for a silicone-based formulation designed specifically for rubber and/or PVC. You also need to lubricate the garage door in the spring and fall every year.

● Spring is the ideal time to inspect the weatherstripping and other garage door components. Make any repairs or replacements now before the heat of summer.

● Fall is the time to take action so you can prevent wintertime incursions. Pests are more likely to seek protection in your home at this time, and winter rain, sleet, and snow can easily enter under the door gap.

Make sure that if you replace the weatherstripping, you use the right option. Buy with an eye for high-quality material and durability.

How do you change the weatherstripping on your garage door?

Changing the weatherstripping isn’t that big of a challenge. It will require just a few tools and parts. It is possible to change your bottom weatherstrip yourself if you have all the replacement parts required. Check out the instructions on this website and you’ll be done in no time at all.

With that being said, we do recommend that you get professional help. Working with a garage door pro will ensure that the door seals properly and that you have the weatherstripping installed correctly.

Tip #2 – Inspect your garage floor

This is a diagram of weatherstripping placement for the most efficient door threshold. The right slope helps ensure proper drainage.

Exterior

The floor should slope out and down from the threshold. This helps ensure that any water is channeled away from the garage, rather than right into it.

Interior

The threshold where your garage door meets the floor has to be even and free of damage. However, the flexibility of your weatherstripping can usually cope with some unevenness.

If your floor is particularly uneven or there are cracks, you’ll find plenty of garage door seal strips out there today. These help to even out the floor and provide a firm seal with the garage door weatherstripping. These seal strips are made from rubber and just need to be cut to fit your space. A little glue on the bottom will keep yours in place.

Another option available to you is to refinish the floor. There are several resistant, durable floor finish products on the market that may work, including the following:

● Epoxy: This floor finish option helps to seal and protect, but it can also change the floor’s look and make it more appealing. You’ll find colors, designs, patterns, and more that can be done with epoxy.

● Paint: Paint is perhaps the simplest and easiest option. However, it can also make the garage floor less slippery and add to the look of the space.

● Tiles: You can install tiles made from plastic, wood, or rubber throughout the garage to make it more comfortable and to cover over cracks or other damage.

● Mats: Perhaps the simplest option is to use rubber mats to cover over cracks and garage floor damage. They can also make standing on the floor much more comfortable.

Understanding cracks in the concrete

Do you have cracks in your garage floor? They can be caused by several different things, and some of them are signs that you should be concerned. This blog can help you understand the different crack types and what they mean.

● Cold joints

One of the most common reasons for cracks in the garage floor is the use of multiple concrete batches that fail to blend properly due to premature hardening or different hydration levels.

● Cracks during foundation settling or construction

Over time, the earth under the home will settle. This puts stress on the garage floor and can create cracks. These are considered normal.

● Hairline cracks

Small, barely noticeable cracks are usually due to a lack of correct preparation before pouring the concrete.

What type of crack is this? Should you be concerned? Image from Pixabay.

Tip 1: Concrete will naturally fracture as it ages. However, there are things you can do to help control the process. Linear control joints help guide cracks in a specific direction, for instance.

Tip 2:Watch for cracks when cleaning your garage floor. Observe them and determine what type they are, then decide on the right action to take.

Tip #3 – Check the garage door opener

With everything else done, it’s time to tackle the electric garage door opener. If there’s a gap under the door, it could be because the opener is out of adjustment. The weatherstrip should be held firmly in place, but not crushed, either.

To adjust the settings, just refer to your garage door opener manual. Afterward, make sure that you test both the Protector System and the Safety Reversal System. This will ensure that the door is safe to use and doesn’t pose a danger.

To check that you’ve adjusted the door properly, check that you can push your finger between the weatherstrip and the floor. It might require a little effort but shouldn’t be very hard.

Love this style? It’s a Cambridge CM, 9' x 7', Ice White door and overlays, 4 lite Panoramic windows.

Get in touch with the pros

Get in touch with garage door specialists in your area. Working on garage doors requires skill, experience, and knowledge, and these specialists will be able to quickly diagnose the problems with your garage or garage door and repair them.

At First Choice Overhead Doors, we can help ensure that your garage door will stand the test of time!

It’s time to design your own

Interested in designing your own garage door? Check out your options when it comes to garage door style and find the one that works with your home’s aesthetic. You can also browse our Design Centre to “try on” garage doors. Finally, you can also check out our image gallery to see what we’ve done for other customers.

Don’t need your door replaced? Contact us about our annual maintenance plans or learn more about how we can troubleshoot garage door problems.

Get in touch by calling 905-642-6606 or email to get a free quote.