This, however, isn’t the only seal on your garage door. Weather stripping runs along the sides of your garage door and between the sections. These vinyl trim pieces protect the door and also serve as insulation. Unfortunately, none of these seals is designed to last forever. Timely replacement of them will keep your garage clean, protect your door and save you on your heating bills during these cold months.
Most heating and air conditioning escapes through cracks and gaps around your garage door, even if you have invested in an insulated one, so an annual check is time well spent.
Check those seals
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– A visual inspection of all seals and trim on your door is a great place to start. Torn, broken, or discolored seals should be replaced, as well as any seal that feels stiff and brittle.
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– Drafts coming through gaps around your garage door are easy to detect simply by taking a slow walk past these points. You may also try holding a tissue in front of potential gap areas.
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– Look for gaps by turning on a light at night and stepping outside. Any light you can detect is a gap in the seal.
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– Test the bottom seal of the door by spraying water against the door to see if any seeps inside.
Fixing those seals
Even if only a section of a seal is broken, it’s best to replace the whole piece, and it’s best to work with a professional. Properly installed seals protect your garage and your garage door, while improperly installed seals not only fail to perform, they could potentially damage your door by throwing it out of alignment.
If you are handy and plan to replace a worn seal yourself, it is important to remember the following:
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– Old weather stripping, trim and sweeps must be completely removed and the surfaces cleaned before installing replacement seals.
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– Have a helper available to monitor the door mechanism and to help with installation of the new sweep, as it takes some muscle to put in place.
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– Take careful measurements of the width, height and thickness of your door before purchasing supplies.
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– If your garage door is uneven at the bottom, or sunken concrete has caused gaps, contact the professionals at Above & Beyond for repair options.