How to Replace Garage Door Weather Seals

Introduction:

A properly maintained garage door can last for the life of your home. Whether your garage door is made of steel, wood, or fiberglass it requires regular maintenance and the door seals must be replaced from time to time. Taking care of your garage door will not only ensure that it lasts for a long time and operates properly, but it will also make the garage more energy efficient. Replacing the garage door weather seal is an easy DIY task.

 Energy efficiency is just as important for the garage as it is in the rest of the house. In a two story home there is often a bedroom or an office right above the garage. If the garage is not weather proofed the cold air in the garage will suck the warmth out of the living space above it causing your furnace to work even harder and increasing your heating costs.

The weather seal on the garage door must be properly maintained to prevent heat lost under the door. The weather seal covers the small gap all the way around the door. This flexible rubber seal flexes as the door opens and closes and forms a seal between the door and the door frame and the bottom of the door and the concrete floor. This seal limits the amount of airflow leakage in and out of the garage around the door. Over time this rubber can dry out and become brittle. Sometimes it is damaged and torn if it is hit by a car, bicycle lawnmower or other object. Any damaged weather stripping should be replaced.

Replacement weather seal can be purchased at most hardware stores or home improvement supply centers. It usually comes in brown, white or black colors. The stripping comes from the factory with an attached plastic piece that is nailed or screwed directly to your existing garage door frame or to the bottom of the door.

To remove the old weather sealing use a hammer or a pry bar to pull out the nails and a screw driver to remove the screws.  Once the old weather stripping has been completely removed attach the new. Start with the overhead piece, using a handsaw and a utility knife to cut the new weather stripping to the correct length. After the headpiece is installed install the sidepieces. It is best to install the new weather stripping with the door in the closed position. For replacing the door bottom seal the door will have to be in the open position.

That is how to replace garage door weather seals. 

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