From unwanted noise to pests and debris, you might be letting a lot into your garage if there are gaps in the door. Cracks can form in the seals at the top, bottom and sides of your garage door, and they might not always be visible.
Fortunately, you can take some steps to seal garage door gaps on your own — and you can always turn to the professionals at Cornwell Door Service for assistance.
Finding Gaps in Your Garage Door
Identifying garage door gaps is the first step in adjusting them. Significant gaps are more visible, especially at the bottom of your garage door. Small cracks and those at the top and sides of your door can be more challenging to spot. Your garage door may have a hidden gap if you notice that:
- There are pests in the garage: Pests like mice and insects will often enter your garage through cracks in the door. Once they make a home inside, they can damage any belongings you have in storage. If you have an attached garage, pests may even find an entry point to the rest of your home.
- Wind and water are leaking through: Gaps in your garage door can let the elements inside. Moisture from rain and snow may reach your storage area and damage the structure of your garage over time. Wind in your garage can decrease the temperature and increase your utility bills, especially during the winter months.
- You hear noise from outside: Sounds from the street can also leak in through gaps in your garage door. You might not notice or mind if you only use your garage for parking or storage, but excess sound can be distracting if your garage functions as a workspace.
One of the simplest ways to find a garage door gap is by turning the lights off during the daytime and scanning the edges of the door for any cracks of sunlight. You can also run your hand along the edges to feel for drafts that could indicate gaps.
How to Fix Garage Door Side Gaps
Gaps on the sides of your garage door may stem from an issue with the stops. You can find these rubber trimmings along the length of your garage door, and you may need to replace them from time to time. As a short-term fix, you could fill in any small cracks in the garage door stops with caulk.
Bent or misaligned garage door tracks also lead to side gaps. If the tracks aren’t parallel, it’s best to find a garage door service technician to realign them safely and adjust the garage door gap.
How to Fix Gaps Under Your Garage Door
If you notice gaps at the bottom of your garage door, worn weatherstripping is a likely cause. Garage door weatherstripping often wears down on its own over time. It’s also a frequent target for mice and other pests to chew.
You can call a professional to install new weatherstripping or visit your local hardware store to find a kit to install weatherstripping yourself. If you opt to install your own weatherstripping, it’s a good idea to measure the bottom of your garage door at least twice to ensure the product will fit. Then, cut the weatherstripping to the length of your garage door and install it per the instructions in the kit.
A bottom gap may also indicate that the frame of your garage has settled. Another possibility is that the bottom door panel itself is sagging, in which case it might be time to replace the panel or the entire door.
How to Seal Garage Door Gaps at the Top
Like gaps on the sides of your garage door, gaps at the top could be the result of an issue with the stops. Track misalignment can also cause the door to reach the ground before the top of the door straightens out completely, resulting in a gap. It’s best to turn to an expert technician in this case.
Contact Cornwell Door Service for Maintenance
If you’re not sure what’s causing the gap in your garage door, the experts at Cornwell Door Service are here for you. We’ll work to diagnose the issue and provide a long-term solution. Businesses and homeowners throughout Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Lebanon and other parts of central Pennsylvania turn to Cornwell Door for everything from garage door installation to maintenance and repairs.
If you live in Central Pennsylvania and are looking for help fixing your garage door, we can help! We make it easy to request an estimate or schedule service for your garage door online. You can also call us at 717-273-9841 to schedule a service or to learn more!