The technician checks the seal, the bottom of the door and the floor first, then fits a new seal that suits your door.
What weather seal replacement is
The bottom seal runs along the base of the garage door. It closes the gap between the door and the floor to help keep out air, water, dirt and pests. One manufacturer says it also helps prevent heat loss at the bottom of the door and protects stored items from moisture.
Replacement means removing the old seal and fitting a new one of the right type for your door. Weatherstripping along the sides and top of the opening is checked at the same visit.
Signs you need a new seal
- The rubber is cracked, split, torn or has holes.
- The seal is warped, flattened or misshapen.
- It no longer touches the floor evenly.
- You feel a draft or see daylight under the closed door.
- Water, leaves or dirt get in under the door.
- You find insects or rodents in the garage.
Our guide on weatherstripping and bottom seals explains what to look for. Check your seal in spring and fall. One manufacturer recommends inspecting twice a year.
What we do on a seal replacement visit
The technician confirms why the seal failed before replacing it. A worn seal can be age. An uneven floor, a sagging door or a bent bottom section can also cause gaps, and a new seal does not fix those.
- We inspect the old seal, the retainer track on the bottom section, the bottom of the door and the floor.
- We check that the door sits level and closes evenly across its width.
- We identify the seal type your door uses, and match its size and fit.
- We remove the old seal and clean the channel where the new one goes.
- We fit the new seal and trim it to length.
- We close the door and check contact with the floor, then check the sides and top of the opening.
- We run the door through full cycles and check that the opener does not struggle or reverse unexpectedly.
The bottom of the door carries the bottom brackets, which are under spring tension. We never loosen or remove them during a seal job.
Seals, drafts and your garage
A good seal helps with more than drafts. Gaps are an easy way for pests and water to enter. Our guide on winter garage door care in NJ covers the cold months. Insulation matters too, as our insulated vs non-insulated doors guide explains. A new seal helps close the gap but does not make an uninsulated door insulated.
What affects the scope of the work
- The seal type your door uses and whether the retainer is damaged.
- Door width, and whether the door has one or two seal channels.
- Whether the floor is uneven or the door hangs crooked.
- Whether the bottom section is rusted, bent or water damaged.
- Whether the side and top weatherstripping also need replacement.
- Whether other repairs turn up at the same visit.
Safety: keep your hands away from bottom brackets
Bottom brackets hold tension
Clopay warns that the bottom brackets on all garage doors must not be removed while the door is under tension, and DASMA says only trained technicians should adjust springs and bottom brackets. If your seal job requires removing the bottom section or brackets, leave it to a technician. Do not work under a door that is raised and unsupported, and keep fingers out of the gaps between sections.
Seal replacement or something larger
If a seal keeps failing, or the bottom panel is damaged, panel replacement may be the better fix. If the door hangs crooked or rubs, see garage door repair and track repair. A routine maintenance visit also checks the seals.
Where we provide this service
This service is available across New Jersey through our three regional teams.
Need this done?
A technician inspects the door first and explains what it needs.
Questions and answers
How do I know the seal is worn out?
Look for cracks, holes, warping, poor floor contact, drafts or daylight under the closed door. One manufacturer lists these as signs a seal needs replacing.
How often should a seal be checked?
Check it each spring and fall, as one manufacturer advises. Clean it with mild soap and water and look for wear.
Can I replace the seal myself?
Some homeowners do. If you do, keep clear of the bottom brackets, which are under tension. We replace seals as part of our work, and the technician checks the door bottom at the same time.
Will a new seal stop all drafts?
It closes the gap at the floor. Drafts can also come from the sides, top, an uneven floor or an uninsulated door. The technician checks each one.
Does a seal replacement help keep pests out?
It helps close one entry point at the bottom of the door. Manufacturers note gaps there can let bugs and rodents into the garage.
Ready to get your garage door fixed?
Our technicians repair, replace, install and maintain garage doors across New Jersey.