How Do I Fix My Garage Door Gap?

When you hit the button on the wall-mounted unit or remote control to close your garage door, you expect it to close all the way, thus keeping your garage’s contents protected from outdoor elements. Yet seeing a bright beam of sunlight peering underneath a closed garage door, or catching a brisk and unwelcome breeze in the winter, is certainly not an uncommon occurrence for homeowners. Garage door gaps are one of the more frequent garage door issues you’re likely to encounter. Fortunately, garage door gaps can generally be fixed fairly easily and inexpensively.

Fixing Garage Door Gaps

Garage door gaps may be a five-minute fix or may require a few hours out of your weekend depending on the severity of the problem and what it will take to fix it. You may be able to knock it out on your own or you may need professional garage door repair assistance. Below are a few of the more common explanations and solutions for garage door gaps.

Adjust limit switches

For most garage doors, you can adjust the limit switches on the unit itself. This will allow you to add some leeway to get your garage door just enough more to close the gap. If your garage door is lowering too much, you can also account for that using this same method. (NOTE: You’ll always want to refer to your garage door owner manual before attempting any adjustments of this kind.)

Replace the seal

Over time, your weatherstripping will become matted down, lose its shape, and may even dry rot or fall apart. If this is the cause of your garage door gap, the only solution is to replace the weatherstripping entirely. Both bulb seals or U-shaped seals can be installed without a professional as long as your garage door has the necessary grooves for easy installation. For more complicated matters, you may want to contact a garage door service technician for assistance.

Compensate for settling

In some cases, it might not be the garage door that is the problem, but rather the settling of the floor itself. You can add wood or concrete to the floor as necessary to accommodate for the lowering garage floor. This can be a tedious project, but not one outside the scope of of a handy homeowner. You may need to consult with or reserve the services of a licensed contractor for more complicated jobs.

Add a threshold

Consider this as more of a last-ditch effort, but If the above remedies don’t work for you, you can always invest in a garage door threshold. Thresholds are relatively inexpensive and can be installed with ease. Once installed, garage door thresholds add an extra barrier between your garage floor and the outside element. Thresholds come in varying styles and are available at most home improvement stores.

Conclusion

More often than not, a small gap at the base of your garage door can be fixed on your own with a little elbow grease and perhaps a relatively small investment. However, if garage door gaps worsen or begin to hinder the performance of your garage door, it may be time to consult with a garage door repair technician to diagnose the problem and help you find the best and most cost-effective solution. For more information on garage door issues, or to schedule a service visit for your own door, contact Anco Overhead Door today.