To keep the outside elements out, every garage door owner needs to know how to repair the garage door seals.
A seal around the bottom of every garage door keeps the outside elements from entering your garage. This barrier also keeps harmful pests out, which is especially crucial if your garage has a food cupboard or refrigerator.
This seal may deteriorate over time, necessitating either maintenance or replacement.
You’ll learn how to replace garage door seals in this post.
How to Replace a Garage Door Seal
Is your garage door’s seal beginning to wear out?
The rubber seal at the bottom of the door is often overlooked, yet it is far more vital than you may realize.
The following instructions will show you how to replace a garage door seal.
1. Discard the old seal
To begin, you must remove the old seal before replacing it with a new one. Raise the garage door to a height of about 6 feet and fasten it. It’s a good idea to unplug your garage door opener to ensure that it doesn’t move. Then, through the opening behind the door, pull out the bottom seal.
2. Determine the type of seal you require.
Now that the old seal has vanished, you must determine which type of seal you require. These are usually termed from the shape of their cross-section. If you’re not sure, cut a few inches off the old seal using a pair of scissors. What is the appearance of the seal? A J-type seal, for example, has a cross-section that looks like a ‘J.’ If you’re not sure which one to use, bring the cut-off part to a hardware store and ask for assistance.
3. Take a measurement of the seal
Before you go out and get a new seal, you need to figure out how long it should last. Measure the width of the old seal to guarantee that the new one will fit into the door’s channel. Also, measure the width of the garage door to ensure you have a long enough seal.
4. Remove the retainer and clean it.
The garage door seal glides into the retainer, which is a channel. Using a damp towel, thoroughly wipe the area. Once it’s clean, lubricate the passage with soapy water before moving on to the next step.
5. Place the seal in the channel and feed it.
This portion is best done with two individuals. Place the seal’s bulb into the channel and have one person pull it along while the other continues to feed it in. You should have around three inches of additional length on both sides once the entire seal is in. Tuck it into the channel by folding it back on itself. All you have to do now is keep the seal in place.
6. Open and close the garage door.
You must now test the seal after it has been placed. Reopen the garage door by lowering it and re-engaging it. After that, you’ll need to try out the opener. Because the seal isn’t smoothed down like the old one, it might give the door more height. You’ll need to alter the garage door’s limitations if it reverses when you try it. The directions for this may generally be found in your garage door’s owner’s manual.
What Is The Importance Of A Garage Door Seal?
It’s tempting to assume that if that seal is beginning to wear out, you can put it off until later. While it has no bearing on how the door opens and closes, it does have an impact on the general health of your home. Here are some reasons to replace it as soon as it begins to exhibit indications of wear:
- Stop Pests in Their Tracks: Pests are always looking for a way into your garage, and this is especially true now that winter is approaching. They like to enter garages because they provide more shelter from the elements, a reliable source of food and water, and a quiet place to nest and brood. They’ll hunt for any openings they can find, so a garage door seal will keep them out. If you have a refrigerator in your garage, this is very critical. To avoid attracting ants and other pests, it’s vital to clean an outdoor refrigerator on a regular basis. Here’s how to clean a stainless steel refrigerator quickly.
- Keeping the Rain Out: Temperatures will begin to decrease soon, according to the weather forecast. More rain is on the way, as well as the possibility of snow. You don’t want rain or snow to get into your garage if the weather becomes bad. It will, however, get in if your garage door seal has holes. If this happens, water damage might easily occur in your garage. Those elements will be kept out by a good seal.
- Keep the Heat In: You don’t want any holes in your home or garage if you’re attempting to keep it warm. Cold air can get in if there is a crack in the seal. It will also let hot air in during the summer. As you try to balance things out, your energy expenses will rise. You’ll save a lot of money in the long run if you properly seal the door.
When Should Your Seal Be Replaced?
You’ve seen the significance of replacing the garage door seal.
What are the signs that the seal needs to be replaced?
The seal itself usually shows evident indications of wear and tear. It may have cracked, ripped, or hardened over time as it has been exposed to the weather. It’s possible that the seal has gaps or chunks missing if it’s been a long time since it was replaced.
If you’ve had trouble with bugs, you might notice bite marks or chewed-away pieces. This is where animals have attempted to chew the seal open in order to gain access. It’s time to repair the seal if you notice any damage like this.
Conclusion
You can decide whether to hire a professional garage door service provider or do it yourself now that you know how to replace a garage door seal.
If you’re not sure how to operate the various garage door parts, you might want to hire a professional. A professional will have the necessary skills and materials to do the work promptly.
If you’re in our service area, contact Your Garage Door Guys for additional information and to obtain an estimate.
