How To Replace A Garage Door Weatherstrip – It is outright frustrating to come home to a water-filled garage or soil-eroded floors.
The worst-case scenario, particularly for people who hate pests, is witnessing rodents and unwelcome creatures rumbling inside.
These instances are to be expected if the garage is not weatherstripped.
Weatherstripping is the initiative to apply stronger seals at the bottom of the overhead doors to avoid these nuances.
This is done to block the big noticeable gap between the door and the concrete floor or the driveway.
Typically, this process should have taken place during the installation process.
However, it is not too late to do the weatherstripping.
The Benefits of Weatherstripping
As mentioned above, weatherstripping protects the garage from external factors that risks the safety and cleanliness.
It also adapts to the weather; it stabilizes the internal temperature, making the atmosphere comfortable and bearable.
To add, weatherstripping reduces the energy consumption of the house.
In fact, it saves as much as 10% to 15% of the total electric bill.
Furthermore, it prevents the door from scraping against the concrete; therefore, dents and scratches will be avoided.
Weatherstripping poses long-term benefits with lower costs compared to future replacements and repairs.
Check the weather seal.
Like tune-ups, weatherstripping is part of maintaining the overhead door.
It should be done regularly, at least once or twice a year.
The weather seal expires over time, which makes the process of regular weatherstripping necessary.
To check if it is time for reapplication, owners should pay attention to the door’s edges while it is closed.
Next, examine the overall door, especially the gap space between it and the side jambs.
Check if these circumstances are observed:
- cracks are visible
- wear and tear signs are showing
- drafts are coming through the overhead door
- puddles of water seeping in around or near the door
- the metal around is rusting or the texture is becoming brittle
If these signs are occurring, contact an overhead door specialist to respond to this issue immediately.
Remove the old weather seal
Although it is not advisable, owners can do weatherstripping on their own.
Before replacing, the old weather seal must be removed first.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove old weather seals.
1. Close the overhead door and unplug the opener from the source.
Usually, the opener is equipped with an emergency operator–release the red cable and pull the handle connected to the trolley.
2. Take a sharp knife and carefully remove a weather seal from one side to another to achieve a clean score and avoid any damages.
3. Using the knife, securely push between the old seal and the door’s jamb.
Next, loosen the weather seal from the jamb with gentle force in a prying motion.
Then, use a flat pry bar inserted in the gap for the finishing step.
4. Repeat the first three steps for the other areas, on the top and the sides.
5. Now the seals are removed from the door’s jambs.
The finishing touch is to clean the mess (e.g., remove debris, paint ridges).
It is suggested to use a clean cloth or spray cleaner for the polishing.
Install a new weather seal
After the removal process, start the installation method.
1. Measure the length of the overhead door jamb, both sides, and the top part.
2. Use a shear to cut the new seal pieces to the exact measurement.
As much as possible, measure it again to check if it fits and adjust it if not.
3. After determining the placement of the newly cut seals, drill small holes for the nails.
4. Push the nails into the small pilot holes in the weather seal.
Preferably, use stainless steel nails to avoid rusting.
5. Next, raise it into position.
Adjusting the seal’s lip will avoid it from pressing against the overhead door’s face because it will result in forming an airtight.
6. Upon pushing the nails across the weather seal into the jambs, remember to avoid driving it all the way until final adjustments are made in the placement.
7. Repeat the process on the other side door jamb.
8. Trim the vinyl flaps at a certain angle (usually a 45-degree angle) in the corners.
9. See if it works by giving it a try.
Start the operation and ensure that it does not bind at any point.
10. Screw the nails in.
11. For the finishing touch, use a latex and silicone-based caulk to seal the seals’ edges and the jamb.
Garage Door Technicians
Attempting to replace and fix the weatherstripping of overhead doors may not be the safest option for inexperienced homeowners because this may eventually lead to unnecessary cuts and bruises.
There are multitudes of highly trained technicians in Edmonton, Leduc, Beaumont, and St. Albert for repair, weatherstripping, maintenance, and other services on overhead and garage doors.
