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How to Install Garage Door Weather Stripping?

How to Install Garage Door Weather Stripping?

Proper garage door weather stripping is crucial for St. George homes, and Mehr’s Garage Doors is here to help. It’s not just about keeping drafts out; it’s also about saving energy, keeping bugs away, and keeping your home safe from the weather.

We’ve been serving Southern Utah for over 40 years and know how necessary good weather stripping is. In this help, we’ll go over installing garage door weather stripping in detail.

Types of Garage Door Weather Stripping:

We at Mehr’s Garage Doors work with various kinds of weather stripping for different types of garage doors and needs in St. George. Let’s look at the main types:

Bottom Seals:

Bottom seals do most of the work when it comes to garage door weather stripping. They keep pests, water, and dirt from entering through the door. Rubber or plastic seals attached to your door’s bottom edge are most frequently used today. We recommend a T-shaped or U-shaped seal for uneven floors to improve the fit.

Side and Top Seals:

These seals fill in the gaps around the sides and top of your garage door. They are crucial for maintaining the energy economy and stopping air leaks. We usually cover these areas with brush seals or plastic weather stripping. While still making a tight seal, they are bendable enough to let the door move easily.

Threshold Seals:

Threshold Seals are installed on the garage floor where the door meets the ground. They work great in garages with floors that need to be level or have small slopes. Even if there’s a small hole under your door, these seals form a barrier that water and pests can’t cross.

Tools and Materials Needed:

You’ll need the right tools and materials to install weather stripping correctly. Our team at Mehr’s Garage Doors always has a hammer, measuring tape, tool knife, and screwdriver on hand. We secure the seals with weatherstripping adhesive and either screws or nails, depending on the type of seal.

We always remember our work gloves and safety glasses because safety is essential. We might also bring a drill for threshold seals. What kind of weather stripping we use for your St. George home depends on the type of garage door you have and what it needs.

Preparing Your Garage Door for New Weather Stripping:

 We always ensure the door is ready for new weather stripping before installing it. This is how we do it:

Removing Old Weather Stripping: We carefully take off any weather stripping that is already there. To do this, you might have to remove old screws or nails or peel off strips with glue on them. This is done with great care so the door isn’t damaged.

Cleaning and Inspecting the Door: We then fully clean the areas where the new weather stripping will be installed. We check the doors, especially the wooden ones, for damage or rot. Before installing the new seals, we fix any problems we discover.

Installing Bottom Seal Weather Stripping:

A lot of the time, the bottom seal is the first thing that keeps the weather out. The way we install it is this:

Measuring and Cutting the Seal: We measure your garage door’s width and cut the seal to fit, leaving a little extra on each end. From edge to edge, this provides a snug fit.

Attaching the Seal to the Door Bottom: Depending on the type of seal, we may either nail it to the door or slide it into a track on the bottom of the door. A retainer is often used to keep the seal in place on doors that don’t have a track. With no gaps or weak spots, we ensure that the seal is even and secure.

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we’re proud of how well and how long our weather stripping systems last. These precautions are crucial for protecting your St. George garage from the harsh desert weather.

Installing Side and Top Weather Stripping:

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we know that good side and top weather seals are crucial for an utterly waterproof garage. How we plan to do it:

Measuring and Cutting Side Seals: We measure the height of your garage door opening and cut the side seals to fit perfectly. We always add a little extra length to ensure full coverage.

Attaching Side Seals: We carefully attach the side seals to your garage door. We could use screws, nails, or strong glue, depending on the type of seal. When the door is closed, we ensure the seal fits tightly against it without affecting its function.

Measuring and Cutting Top Seal: Next, we measure the top seal’s width to fit your garage door hole. We cut it to size to ensure complete covering while leaving a little extra.

Attaching Top Seal: We install the top seal when the door is closed, just like the side seals, ensuring it makes good contact with the door. This is very important in St. George’s because it removes dust and heat.

Installing Threshold Seals (if needed):

Occasionally, more than the bottom seal is needed, especially in older St. George homes with uneven garage floors. We recommend a barrier seal at that point:

Measuring and Cutting Threshold Seal: To make the threshold seal fit perfectly, we measure the width of your garage door opening and cut the seal to that size.

Attaching Seal to Garage Floor: First, we clean the garage floor well. Then, we use strong glue or press the seal to attach it to the floor. When the door is closed, we ensure that it is appropriately positioned so that it touches the bottom.

Testing and Adjusting the Weather Stripping:

After installing the weather stripping, we don’t just pack up and leave; we test it and make any necessary changes. We constantly check our work, close the garage door, and look for gaps or areas where light can get in.

We check each seal and the door to see if any changes need to be made. We also check that the door moves quickly and that the new weather stripping doesn’t get in the way.

Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Weather Stripping:

We recommend a few easy steps to keep your weather stripping in top condition. Clean it often with water and light soap to get rid of rust and other things. In our dry environment, use a lubricant made of silicone to keep rubber seals flexible and stop them from breaking.

Check your weather stripping at least twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall. Look for signs of damage, wear, or coming off. If you catch problems early, you can usually fix or replace small parts of the seal instead of the whole thing. Do not damage the seals with strong chemicals or pressure cleaners.

Troubleshooting Common Weather Stripping Issues:

We’ve seen every kind of problem with weather stripping here at Mehr’s Garage Doors. See air or light around your closed garage door? It’s time to look into it. Make sure there are no gaps between the door and the seals. Check the weather stripping for cracks, breaks, or flattening.

Look for these signs that it’s time to replace. After installing new weather stripping, your door may be difficult to open or close if it is too thick or not installed correctly. We can help you set it up so that it works smoothly. If you live in St. George, remember that the sun can damage weather stripping faster on doors facing south.

Conclusion:

Getting the right weather stripping on your garage door saves energy and keeps out St. George’s brutal weather. When you work with Mehr’s Garage Doors, we promise to do professional installation and upkeep.

If you take the proper care of your garage door weather stripping, it can remain comfy and secure for many years. We’re here to help people in St. George with their garage door weather stripping, so be bold about getting in touch.

FAQ’s:

How often should I replace my garage door with weather stripping?

Weather stripping should be changed every two to three years, but because of St. George’s harsh weather, you may need to do it more often, especially on doors with a lot of sun. 

Can I install garage door weather stripping myself? 

The professional fitting provides a proper fit and function, even though it is possible to do it yourself. Mehr’s Garage Doors knows how to deal with the unique weather problems in St. George. 

What weather stripping is best for scorching climates like St. George? 

Vinyl or EPDM rubber weather stripping is often recommended because it can withstand high temperatures and is not damaged by UV light. 

My garage door is letting in water during heavy rains. Will new weather stripping fix this?

We’d need to inspect your door to ensure there aren’t any other problems, such as a misaligned door or broken panels, even though new weather stripping can help. 

How much does it cost to replace garage door weather stripping?

Costs vary depending on the type of weather stripping you need and the size of your door. Based on the details of your garage door, Mehr’s Garage Doors in St. George can provide a free price.