How to Fix a Garage Door Seal
Over time, garage doors expand and contract with the changing weather. The seal around your garage door expands and contracts, too. If you can see light coming into the garage around the edges the door, that means hot and cold air is also leaking in. You can fix the seal without paying to hire a repair person. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Sealing the Sides
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1
Locate the adjustable brackets on either side of the garage door.
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2
Use a socket and ratchet to slightly loosen the adjustment bolt. This is the bolt that's connected to the garage door, not the bolt that is screwed into your garage wall.
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3
Press the door outward until the gap is closed. Make sure you are pressing as close as possible to the bracket; this will help prevent denting of the garage door. Quickly tighten the adjustment bolt.
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4
Turn off all lights and examine the seal. If there is still daylight coming through, adjust the next bracket.
Sealing the Bottom
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5
Check the weatherstripping on the bottom of your door. If the weatherstripping is cracked or damaged, you'll be able to see light coming through under the door.
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6
Replace cracked or damaged weatherstripping. If the concrete under the door has settled substantially, causing a large gap, purchase oversized weatherstripping to fill the additional void.
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7
To ensure a weather-tight seal, install a threshold on the concrete (see Resources).
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1
Tips & Warnings
A bright, sunny day will intensify the amount of light coming in through the garage door seal, making it easier to see where any gaps are.
Exercise caution when working around garage door springs.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jon Olson Photography
