How To Fix Gaps Around Your Garage Door

How To Fix Gaps Around Your Garage Door: No More Drafts, Critters, or Wasted Cash!

Hey there, fellow garage warriors! Ever feel that icy breeze sneaking under your garage door in January? Or spotted a family of squirrels treating that gap like their personal front door? Yeah, we’ve seen it all. Gaps around garage doors aren’t just annoying—they’re energy vampires, security risks, and an open invitation for pests. The good news? Many fixes are DIY-friendly, and when they’re not, well… that’s why A1 Garage Doors in Mississauga exists. Let’s roll up our sleeves and tackle this gap problem together.

Why Ignoring Gaps Is a Costly Game

Seriously, why sweat the small stuff? Because that “small stuff” can wreck your wallet! Gaps let in:

• Drafts that spike heating/cooling bills (hello, 30% energy loss!).
• Water, leaves, and dirt—turning your garage into a swampy mess.
• Mice, insects, and wayward snakes (yep, we’ve rescued folks from that nightmare).
• Security risks—a crowbar’s best friend is a gaping seal.

Ever wonder why your garage feels like a walk-in freezer? Gaps are usually the sneaky culprit. FYI, fixing them is way cheaper than replacing your entire door.

What’s Causing Those Pesky Gaps?

Gaps don’t magically appear. Here’s the usual lineup of troublemakers:

• Worn-Out Weatherstripping: Brittle, cracked, or missing seals at the bottom/sides.
• Bent Tracks: Misaligned tracks create uneven gaps (often after a clumsy parking job).
• Settling Foundation: Your house shifts, but the door frame doesn’t. Physics wins.
• Damaged Panels or Hinges: Warped sections or loose hardware leave openings.

Pro Tip: Grab a flashlight and inspect at night. Shine it from inside—any visible light means trouble!

DIY Fixes: When You’ve Got This!

Got gaps smaller than your pinky? Try these quick wins:

Replacing Weatherstripping

1. Remove old stripping: Peel it off or unscrew it.
2. Clean the channel: Scrub off grime so new adhesive sticks.
3. Install new stripping: Press firmly into place—no sagging!

Cost: Under $20 for vinyl seals. IMO, it’s the easiest bang-for-your-buck fix.

Adjusting Tracks

Warning: Tracks are finicky. If bolts are stripped or tracks dented, STOP. This is how DIYs become disasters.

• Loosen track bolts, gently tap into alignment, then retighten.
• Use a level—tracks must be parallel and plumb.

When to bail: If the door binds or jerks? Call a garage door technician. Trust us, garage door track repair isn’t worth a concussion.

The “Nope, Don’t Touch That” List

Some fixes scream “professional help needed”:

• Cable issues: Snapped cables = door crashing down. Garage door cable repair? Leave it to the pros.
• Spring replacements: These store insane tension. One wrong move and… well, it’s ugly.
• Major track bends: Requires specialized tools only garage door installers carry.

If your gap looks like the Grand Canyon, skip the heroics. Companies like ours, A1 Garage Doors, handle garage door repair daily across Mississauga. Our techs? They’ve seen every gap horror story and lived to fix it.

Your Gap-Fix Cheat Sheet

Here’s a quick-reference table for common gap issues:

Problem	DIY Fix?	Tools Needed	Call a Pro When…
Bottom seal gap	✅ Yes	New weatherstrip, utility knife	Seal is torn or channel damaged
Side gaps (top/bottom)	⚠️ Maybe	Level, wrench	Tracks bent or hinges loose
Uneven floor gap	❌ No	–	Threshold ramp needed
Cable/spring issues	❌ No	–	Always—safety first!

When to Ring Up the Pros (Hint: We’re Here!)

Look, we love DIY grit. But when gaps persist after your best efforts? Or you’re staring at commercial overhead door repair on a 20-foot door? That’s our jam. At A1 Garage Doors, Mississauga’s go-to garage door company, we offer:

• Free gap assessments: No guesswork on price or cost.
• Same-day service: Because drafts wait for no one.
• Expert techs: Our garage door technicians fix 100+ doors monthly.

Whether it’s garage door opener repair, automatic garage door installation, or sealing gaps on commercial garage door repair jobs, we’ve got you. And yeah, we’re affordable. Why break the bank when the best garage door company is right near me in Mississauga?

Keep Gaps Gone: Maintenance 101

Prevent future headaches with these habits:

• Clean seals quarterly: Dirt grinds down rubber.
• Lubricate tracks/hinges: Silicone spray every 3 months.
• Test balance: Disconnect the opener. If the door doesn’t stay put 3 feet up, springs need adjusting.

Pro Move: Schedule annual tune-ups. For less than a fancy coffee habit, we’ll spot issues before they become gap monsters.

FAQs: Your Gap Questions, Answered

Q: Can I use duct tape as a temporary seal?
A: Please don’t. It leaves residue and fails fast. Temporary weatherstrip kits cost $15—grab one!

Q: Are gaps covered under warranty?
A: Only if caused by manufacturing defects. Wear/tear? Nope. That’s where garage door services from a trusted pro shine.

Q: How much should gap repair cost?
A: Weatherstripping replacement? $50-$150. Track realignment? $100-$300. Full garage door repair? Get a quote. We’re transparent on cost.

Wrapping Up: Seal the Deal!

Gaps might seem trivial, but left unchecked, they’ll drain your energy budget and invite chaos. Tackle simple seals yourself, but know when to call cavalry—like us at A1 Garage Doors. We’re your local Mississauga experts for everything from garage door opener repair to installing the best garage doors on the market.

Don’t let gaps win. Give us a shout for a free, no-pressure assessment. Let’s make your garage airtight, efficient, and squirrel-free. 🙂

Ready to kiss gaps goodbye? A1 Garage Doors is just a call away—because life’s too short for drafty garages.