From unwanted noise to pests to reptiles and debris, you might be letting in a lot of things into your garage. Especially if there are gaps in the door. Cracks can form in the seals at the top, sides and bottom of your door and they might not always be visible.
Fortunately, you can take some steps to seal your garage door gaps on your own, and of course you can always turn to professionals 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 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 is pest in the garage: Pests like mice, insects, and reptiles will often enter your garage through cracks in the door. Once they make a home inside, they can damage your belongings that you are storing in the garage. Or they may scare you pretty good. If you have an attached garage the pests may even find an entry point into your home
- Wind and water are coming in: Gaps in your garage door can let the elements inside. Moisture from rain and snow may reach your storage area and damage the structure over time. Or cause the floor to become very slippery, and that’s dangerous for everyone. Wind in your garage can decrease the temperature and increase your utility bill, especially during the winter months. Plus, it’s nosy as well.
- You hear noise from outside: Sounds from the street can also leak into your garage through gaps. 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 workplace, a play space or even a gym.
One of the simplest ways to find a gap in the door is by turning the lights off during the day and scanning the edges of the door for any sunlight. You can also run your hand along the edge to feel for drafts that could indicate gaps as well.
How to fix garage door side gaps
Bent or misaligned garage 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 for you.
How to fix gaps under your garage door
If you notice gaps at the bottom of your garage door, worn weatherstripping/bottom seal is a likely cause. Garage door seal 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 seal or visit your local hardware store or garage door dealer to find seal and install it yourself. There are a few different types of bottom seal, so make sure you get the right seal. If you opt to install your own seal, 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 seal to length of your garage door and install it per the instructions in the kit or do what the dealer tells you to do.
A bottom gap may also indicate that the frame of your garage has settled. Another possibility is that the bottom door panel is sagging, in which case it might be time to replace the panel or the entire door.
How to seal garage door gap 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 as well.
If you’re not sure what’s causing the gap in your garage door, our expects are here to help. We will diagnose the issue and provide the solution as best as we can.