How To Fix Garage Door Gaps
Do you have a gap between the floor, wall, ceiling, or even the panels of your garage door? This is a common problem. Over the life of your door, you’re likely to deal with this issue at some point, since components wear down and things shift and loosen over time. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways that homeowners can fill in gaps that occur.
There may be a few different reasons why your garage door has developed gaps. Generally, the issue can be resolved by making a few small adjustments. In this blog, we’ll review some of the most common causes of garage door seal failing, and what to do about them.
How To Adjust A Garage Door Gap
Gaps on the front and top of a garage door can let wind, rain, and snow in, and gaps on the floor allow for the entry of moisture, debris, and unwanted guests, like mice. Mice, in fact, are capable of getting inside garage door gaps that are as small as a penny — so to avoid unwanted rodents your garage needs to be sealed tightly. There are several potential causes of garage door threshold gaps, and review each one below.
How To Fill The Gap Between Garage Door And The Floor
Garage doors should be completely closed, with no gaps between the garage door and the garage floor. There are a few ways to fix the gaps in your garage doors. Here are some of the most common ones:
Replace your garage door weatherstripping
Garage door weather strips are typically a plastic rubber seal (or vinyl strips) that are fixed to the bottom door panel, creating a small barrier that fills the space between your doors and floors to prevent cold air from getting in. They act as an insulator to help control your garage climate, with specified seals that vary depending on the type of garage door you’ve installed. Weatherstripping is exposed to the elements and can get damaged and become brittle over time. Check your weatherstripping to ensure correct placement and a tight seal.
Check the condition of your floor
The condition of your garage floor will impact how well the weatherstripping can complete the seal. Concrete floors will continue to settle for a while after they’re poured, potentially causing a gap over time if one side is slightly lower than the other. It’s important to check the condition and slope of your garage floor, as poor drainage can cause water to pool and damage the concrete floor. Uneven, cracked, or broken concrete can leave a gap which can’t be easily corrected. Fixing gaps at the bottom of the door can help you get more life out of your door and keep your garage climate controlled.
How to fix a garage door threshold seal
If you need to replace your garage door’s threshold seal, there are several options depending on the type of door installed. If you’re going to try doing it yourself, look for a garage threshold kit with the appropriate type of seal. Check your door to see exactly what type of sealing device you need — the most common are slide-in seal or screw-in seal (also known as a screw-on seal).
Check Your Door’s Limit Switches
The limit switch determines when the garage door should stop moving. Sometimes the switch needs to be adjusted as things shift and settle over time. It’s worth consulting a professional for help on this issue.
FAQs
Should a garage door have a gap at the bottom?
No. Upon installation of your garage door, the bottom and the top of the door should securely seal around the door. Things can shift over time, so you may need to fix the gap in between the garage door and floor.
How do I level my garage door to the floor? How do you seal the bottom of a garage door on an uneven floor?
A flat, level surface is always best for sealing the edges of your door. If a new weather seal doesn’t do the job, it’s likely best to have the concrete floor repaired.
How do you seal the bottom corner of a garage door?
The garage door can easily be sealed using weatherstripping. Weatherstripping is constructed with rubber or vinyl and uses glue or caulking to adhere to the door. Contact our team to learn about your options for weather stipping.
How much does sealing a garage door cost?
The cost of sealing a garage door depends entirely on the type of issue you’re having. The average cost can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Factors include the size and number of your garage doors, the size of the gaps, and the type and condition of the floors.
Should garage door rails be level?
It’s usually the railing on the garage door that is levelled with track runners or garage floors. Eventually, if railings loosen they could affect door position. If this happens, you’ll notice some issues with the operation of the door’s roller tracks. Try using the garage door opener and closely observe the roller tracks for any issues in operation with the door open and closed.
Why is my garage door crooked when it closes?
Some garage doors do not close straight or close correctly. Here are some reasons why:
Damaged Torsion Springs
A damaged torsion spring assembly may cause the garage door to shut incorrectly if it has weakened. Over time, these cables may loosen or break with use. It is recommended that you contact an experienced mechanic for the replacement of your worn spring as the tension inside the assembly is very strong and can be dangerous if you are inexperienced.
Damaged Lift Cables
Proper operation of a garage door depends, in large part, on the cable torsion system which lifts the panels. If the cables are weak or loose, it can lead to crooked doors and poor operation.
If your garage door is crooked when opening and closing, this could be the cause. Usually, this issue will appear along with worn spring openings on a garage door. In most instances, a simple replacement of parts is required, but a door that has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years might require a complete replacement. In serious cases, it’s best for the door to be replaced quickly so that it does not cause damage or hurt someone.
Damaged Tracks or Rollers
Track and rolling parts on garage doors enable opening and closing. Whenever they lose grip or if there has been damage to the garage doors, they may get stuck on a hinge. If you notice that the tracks begin falling off the ceiling, it may be necessary to tighten them or replace them. The best choice is to hire a professional repairer for the track replacement immediately.
Don’t Delay Taking Action
If you notice a gap between your garage door and floor, it’s important to take action to fix it. There are a few different ways to go about this, depending on the severity of the issue. In some cases, simply sealing the edges of the door with weatherstripping can do the trick. If the problem is more serious, however, you may need to have the concrete floor repaired. No matter what the cause, it’s important to take care of the problem sooner rather than later to avoid further damage or increasing your heating bill. If you have any questions about repairing your garage, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re here to help.