Garage doors have a bottom seal to prevent water, dirt, and rodent droppings. However, the seals can wear out over time, and your garage will no longer be protected against the elements. Weatherstripping is an effective solution to this problem, and this process will ensure water, dirt, rodent droppings, and the elements remain out of your garage. 

What is Weatherproofing?

This is the process of sealing openings around your garage door to keep out weather and increase interior comfort. It can also lower your utility bills and reduce noise. 

This is a great way to protect the interior of your garage from flooding while improving the overall insulation of your home. During the summer, weatherproofing will keep cool air in, and during the winter months, it will hold water and rain out while stabilizing your home’s internal temperature. 

Sealing the door connecting the garage to the house’s main living area is highly recommended. Completing this process correctly and installing weatherstripping around the exterior garage door can significantly help reduce the risk of lost energy. Additionally, the bottom of the garage door will not scrape against the concrete or pavement, which will help prevent the premature wear of both your door and the floor. The cost of this process is low and well worth it, considering all the long-term benefits you will enjoy. 

Is it time to weatherproof your garage door?

You should check the condition of your garage doors weather stripping at least once or twice a year. When the door is closed, pay attention to the edges of the door and examine the areas between your door and the side jambs to look for the following signs:

  • cracks or signs of visible wear and tear
  • puddles of water around or near the garage door
  • rust on the metal around or the garage door
  • the brittle texture of the metal around or on the garage door
  • drafts coming through the garage door

If you notice any of these signs, it is time to weatherproof your garage door to ensure ideal internal temperature and keep the weather or critters out. Complete this process sooner rather than later because sealing the gaps will make a big difference in your energy bills and allow you to enjoy significant savings. 

The process is simple and involves adding or replacing the bottom door seal. There are different types of garage door weatherstripping trim, including garage door bottom seal, garage door threshold seal, garage door stop weatherstripping, vinyl door stop with integrated weatherstrip and garage door panel weatherstripping. 

Garage door weatherstripping professionals may use several types of seals and will prioritize superior durability and performance and will make sure the seals meet industry standards. 

Importance of weatherproofing your Garage Door

This will help preserve the longevity of your garage door and protect the contents inside of your garage from rain, snow, hail, dust and any other elements your home may be exposed to. Ready to ensure your garage door is protected? The following tips will help you effectively weatherproof your garage door:

1. Clean your garage. 

You must first clean your garage and garage door before you start any weatherproofing technique. Weatherproofing your garage door will require you to create sealants, and dirt, debris, or small animals that usually exit through the small cracks in your garage door will no longer be able to do so. 

Start by cleaning your garage’s interior, then thoroughly clean your garage door. Dirt, stains, or debris left on your garage door can affect the integrity of the seal and make it harder to remove in the future. 

2. Seal your garage door.

The bottom seal is a long piece of either vinyl or rubber attached to the bottom of the garage door. It compresses when the door is closed to prevent anything outside from getting in. Over time, this seal can flatten and crack, and you must replace it. Pull it out from the gap behind the garage door track until it is completely removed.

Once the old garage door seal is removed, clean the bottom of the door where the garage door seal was used using soap and water. Once you finish cleaning the bottom of your garage door, lubricate the track on the garage door with a small amount of dish soap to make it easier to place the new garage door seal on. Next, slowly place the new door sweep on the track and pull over the bottom of the garage door. 

Replacing the garage door seal on a metal garage door requires a different approach because metal garage doors will usually hold a U-shaped rubber gasket in an aluminum channel on the bottom. You will be working with two tracks and must pull out the old garage door seal by wiggling it out of both channels, clean the bottom of your garage door, lubricate the track, then insert the new seal into the double track and pull it through. 

3. Garage door panel.

Suppose you want to weatherproof your garage door further further. In that case, you can weatherstrip the individual panels by purchasing foam tape weatherstripping or V-shaped garage door weatherstripping, which will seal the gaps between each panel. 

Protect Your Garage with AMS Garage Door!

Are you interested in professional weatherstripping services? AMS Garage Door is ready to help! Weatherstripping your garage door will protect its surface and function while preventing the natural elements and small creatures from entering it. A weather seal will preserve the integrity of your garage, and you can depend on our team for repairs, replacements, and maintenance. 

Our professional and experienced team will handle all of your garage door needs. Contact us at any time to learn more about our services!