One of the most underrated components of any garage door system, the garage door seal is a thin strip of rubber that runs along the edge and bottom of the garage door. Also known as weatherstrip, your door seal helps keep the elements out and plays a key role in insulating your garage by keeping air in and out. Plus, it keeps insects and other pests out of your garage and acts as a protective barrier if you accidentally close your garage door prematurely.
Although the door seal is one of the most important garage door components, it is often one of the most overlooked. After all, it's not as dramatic as some of the other larger sections. However, just like your garage door opener and garage door spring, your garage door seal will need occasional inspection and replacement over time.
To help you make sure your garage is ready for winter, we've put together a checklist of things to look out for to help you decide when to replace your garage door seal.
How to Check Your Garage Door Seal
Garage Door Weatherstrip We recommend checking your garage door weatherstrip at least twice a year. Start by closing the door and working from the bottom seal of the garage door, checking for any obvious signs of wear. Go around the edge of the door and check for any tears, cracks, holes, or warping. Even the smallest holes or warped sections can let in cold air and pests, so don't take it lightly.
Next, you need to feel if any air is entering or escaping through the garage door seal. Move your hand along the edge, or better yet, wrap a small piece of paper around the edge of the garage door and watch it move carefully. Any air passing through the weatherstrip is a clear sign that it's worn and should be replaced. At this point, it's also worth feeling the garage door seal for any particularly hard or fragile parts, both of which are signs of seal wear.
Check for leaks by splashing some water on the outside of the garage door. Without opening it, inspect your garage door from the inside. A leak means your garage door seal is not doing its job and should be replaced to avoid any unexpected flooding during winter storms.
Last but not least, checking your garage door seal for light creep is another great way to determine if it needs replacing. However, this can be difficult to do during the day, so it's best to test after dark. Just turn on the garage lights, go outside, and close the door. Any light passing through means your garage door seal is damaged and needs to be replaced.
How to Replace a Garage Door Seal
If you notice any damage or leaks, we highly recommend replacing your garage door seals, no matter how minor you think they are. Thankfully, replacing seals is a relatively easy and inexpensive job.
