How to Adjust Garage Door Weather Stripping

Garage door weather stripping forms a barrier between the elements and the interior of your garage. You might think the condition and proper fit of your weather stripping makes little difference to the inside of your garage. This isn't the case. Water seepage can damage cement garage floors over time. Incorrectly installed weather stripping can cause damage to your garage door with an improper seal between the floor and garage door. Adjust your garage door weather stripping for correct fit and proper seal.

Things You'll Need

• Razor utility knife
• Hacksaw
• Flashlight
• Pry bar
• Galvanized roofing nails
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Stand outside at night with the garage door closed completely. Shine the flashlight beam around the edges of the garage door. Ask a helper inside the garage to mark the areas showing light around the door. These are the areas of the weather stripping that require adjustment. If you're alone, click on your car headlights and shine the light against the door to determine which areas need adjustment.

2. Raise the garage door to chest level to aid in working on the weather stripping adjustment.

3. Use the screwdriver to loosen screws (or the hammer to loosen nails) in the affected areas. Weather stripping is rubberized and flexible to allow for play and movement along the door edge. Loosening the fastening mechanism with a pry bar or moving the seal bracket will allow you to adjust the affected areas up or down.

4. Examine the ends of the weather stripping for proper fit. Ends should extend no more than 1/2 inch off the edge of the door bottom. Use the hacksaw or utility knife to cut the stripping to the proper length to prevent any extended length impeding the proper motion of the door.

5. Close the door and perform the flashlight (or car) check again. Perform more adjustments, if required. Your aim is to have a complete seal that doesn't allow any light out around the door. This will prevent water seepage and control temperature inside the garage.

6. Evaluate whether existing weather stripping is incapable of being properly adjusted. Repeated failed attempts to properly seal the door may simply require a complete replacement of the weather seal.

References

• Garage Door Guide: What Are Garage Door Seal And Weatherstrip Meant For?