The Ultimate Guide to Replacing Your Garage Door Bottom Seal: Tips from Straight Up Garage Doors
Are you struggling with a drafty and noisy garage? Do you feel like your energy bills are getting higher every month? Then your garage door’s bottom seal may be the culprit. The bottom seal is an essential part of your garage door, preventing wind, dust, and debris from entering your garage. It also serves as insulation, ensuring a warm and comfortable space inside.
Replacing your garage door bottom seal is not only easy and affordable but also a great way to improve your garage’s efficiency and overall performance. In this guide, our experts at Straight Up Garage Doors, a Garage Door Installation and Service Company serving central Florida, will walk you through the steps to replace your garage door bottom seal.
Section 1: Reasons Why to Replace Your Bottom Seal
Over time, your garage door bottom seal can wear out or become damaged, compromising its effectiveness. Here are some signs that it’s time to replace your garage door bottom seal:
- Cracking: If your bottom seal shows cracks or signs of wear, it is time to replace it.
- Lack of flexibility: If the bottom seal is stiff and does not conform to the ground, it cannot create a tight seal.
- Pests: A damaged bottom seal can allow pests like rodents and insects to enter your garage.
- Energy bills: A garage with a damaged bottom seal can lead to drafts, resulting in increased energy bills.
Section 2: Tools Needed
Replacing your garage door bottom seal is easy and requires just a few tools:
- A new garage door bottom seal
- A flathead screwdriver
- A hacksaw or utility knife
- Measuring tape
- A ladder
Section 3: Measure Your Garage Door
Before purchasing a new bottom seal, measure your garage door to ensure that you get the right size. To take accurate measurements:
- Close your garage door and measure its width using a measuring tape.
- Measure the width of the bottom of your garage door.
- Measure from one end of the garage door to the other to get the correct length.
Section 4: Remove the Old Seal
The next step is to remove the old bottom seal. Here is how to do it:
- Find the ends of the bottom seal and remove the screws securing it in place.
- Pull the old seal off with your hands or use pliers to remove it.
Be careful not to damage the bottom bracket or track during the removal process.
Section 5: Prepare the New Seal
With the old seal removed, the next step is to install the new one.
- Unroll the new bottom seal and place it on a flat surface.
- Cut it to the right length using a hacksaw or utility knife.
- If the seal has a T-shaped edge, remove it by cutting the base.
Section 6: Install the New Seal
With the new seal prepared, it’s time to install it:
- Start at one end of the garage door and slide the bottom seal into the bottom bracket.
- Push the seal across the door, firmly pressing it against the bottom of the door.
- Screw the new seal in place, starting at one end and working your way to the other.
Section 7: Final Steps for Replacing your Garage Door Bottom Seal
With the new bottom seal installed, it’s time to test it:
- Close the garage door and inspect the seal to ensure that it creates a tight seal.
- Check that the seal does not interfere with the door’s operation and that the door moves smoothly.
- If necessary, adjust the seal slightly to create a tighter seal.
Section 8: Benefits of Replacing Your Bottom Seal
With your garage door’s bottom seal replaced, you can enjoy the following benefits:
- Energy savings: A tight and well-insulated garage can reduce your energy bills, saving you money in the long run.
- Better protection: A new bottom seal can keep pests and debris out of your garage, ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
- Less noise: A damaged bottom seal can cause your garage door to make noise when it opens and closes. A new bottom seal can reduce noise levels, providing a more peaceful environment.
- Improved appearance: A new bottom seal can give your garage an updated and polished look, increasing your home’s curb appeal.
Section 9: Call Straight Up Garage Doors for Expert Service on your Garage Door Bottom Seal
At Straight Up Garage Doors, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality garage door services to our valued clients. From garage door installation to repair, we are your go-to garage door experts in central Florida. Our team of licensed and experienced technicians are trained to handle all types of garage door issues, including replacing garage door bottom seals.
Call us today to schedule an appointment with our team of experts, and let us help you keep your garage door in top condition.
