You’ve successfully installed your new garage; everything is set and ready for use – except that you notice a gap between your garage door and wall.
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You can’t simply ignore it because you know that gap could be an invitation to unwelcome guests that can wreak havoc in your garage like rodents and other critters.
More so, the weather can affect the stuff you put inside your garage through snow, rainwater, or heat seeping through the gap in your door, walls, and along the floor. If you see a gap present, it’s best to fix it and seal it shut as soon as you can.
How to Spot the Gaps
After installing the garage door, you will need to look for gaps you might have missed during the construction.
Here are the few things spots you need to check to look for the gaps in your garage:
1. Sides and top of the door
This includes the garage door stops on both sides of the door, including the top part for some gaps that might be present.
2. Gaps along the bottom part of the door
Gaps are mostly found in the bottom part of the door that meets the floor, so always check this area too. This can be spotted when your garage door won’t close all the way.
How to Fix the Gaps
When you are done inspecting your garage for the gaps, you can then purchase the materials needed to fix this problem. During this process, you can also call for a professional for some tips and advice.
However, if you are planning to DIY it, here are the steps you can follow:
1. Adjust the tracks
If your garage door doesn’t close completely, it can leave a gap between those areas, so ensure that you address this problem first.
To adjust the tracks, check first if they are mounted properly on the slotted holes at the side. Loosen or tighten the bolts according to how it needs to make the door close all the way.
2. Check the limit switches
Limit switches are what controls the positioning of the door and are located at the opener. If your door still won’t close properly and still creates a small gap, you might need to adjust the limit switch to compress the bottom of the door to the floor.
3. Replace the seal
Check the seal because you might need to replace this. Seals are prone to wear and tear over time, so it’s important to replace this every time you deem that it needs replacing.
Choose a high-quality seal to make sure it covers the gap perfectly. Some manufacturers will recommend a special lubricant to make it glide more smoothly when you are applying it.
4. Add concrete to the floor
If your main problem with the gap is located in the bottom part of the door and you’ve done all you can to adjust the placement of the door, you might want to consider adding concrete to the floor.
This is an uncommon case, but it’s not entirely impossible. You can just simply add a layer of concrete to seal the gap close between the garage door and the floor.
5. Replace the weatherstripping
If you have a metal garage door, replacing the weatherstripping can help get rid of the cracks and gaps. There are two ways to seal the gap using weatherstripping.
The first one is called the bulb seal with spines that you can slide into a single groove on the bottom panel of the door. The second way is to use a U-shaped spine in the top edges that you can simply slide into the two channels of your garage door.
6. Trim the door
This is for people who have a wooden garage door. Gaps can be created when the door isn’t perfectly leveled with the floor or the wall.
You can trim the edges of the door using a compass and a pencil to mark where it is uneven. Cut the door with a jigsaw or a circular saw and then smoothen it out using sandpaper.
7. Install a Threshold
Garage door threshold kits can be bought in your local manufacturer and automotive shops. You can glue the threshold permanently on where the gap is present, so it stays closed even when you open or close the garage door.
The only downside of doing is that it can sometimes get in the way when you are cleaning or sweeping the garage.
Additional Tips
When trying to close off a gap between your garage door and wall or floor, it’s also best to take advice from other homeowners who have encountered the same problem. We have compiled some of the hacks from the internet that are easy to do and follow:
1. Use foam for the inside gap
You need to use foam as a replacement for a sealant. Place the foam until it is nested neatly into the garage door. This is a proven, quick, and easy step to instantly cover the gap present in your garage. This will prevent critters from going inside and ruining your stored pieces of equipment.
Just be mindful that foam can collect a lot of moisture, which is why this is not considered a long-term solution. Only do this as a temporary seal until you can find and buy the right materials to seal the gaps completely.
2. Inject concrete repair
First, inject concrete repair in a tube and fill the area with the gap with it. This works best for the gaps between your garage door and walls that are hard to reach with foam sheets. You can temporarily nail the concrete-filled tube into the door molding to stay in place.
This provides a sturdy and more-efficient temporary sealant than a foam sheet. It also does not accumulate moisture to keep the rainwater out of your garage and seeping through the cracks and gaps.
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