It’s that time of year to begin preparing for the upcoming winter months. In order to ensure your home is ready for the harsh cold, we created a list of garage winter weather tips that are guaranteed to keep out bugs, dirt, and debris.

Sealing your garage door should be high on your list of to-dos. Most garage door floors are not perfectly even, leaving gaps between the bottom of the door and the cement. Even small gaps, less than an inch, can lead to serious problems. Rodents and insects can enter your garage, and leaves, dirt, and debris can blow in. Rain and melting snow can run in causing all kinds of hazards.

Many more homes are being built on hills and mountainsides with driveways of varying slopes. Unfortunately, some driveways slope toward the house allowing water to enter when it rains or snows. Other homeowners are putting garage doors on the backside of their garages for easier access. Again, depending on the slope of your yard, water can run under the garage door.  If you are using your garage for an activity room or shop, a gap allows the warm air to escape and cold air to enter, increasing heating costs. A gap along the garage floor also takes away from the curb appeal of your home.

Garage door thresholds can solve all of these problems. They are inexpensive, easy to install and come in a large variety of sizes and models. You can purchase them at local hardware stores, online, or from your garage door dealer. But, it’s important that you do your homework and prep before installing garage door thresholds.

Here are a few tips that might help you:

Begin by measuring the gap between the surface and your garage door. Typically there will be more than one problem area so take measurements along the entire gap to ensure the threshold will completely seal the gap. You might need a taller threshold depending on the severity of the problem. Many makes and models are available.

Next, measure the width of the garage door. Once you have determined the size, choose a threshold that will give you the best results. Do your homework.

Before installation, there needs to be some prep work done. Most seals come in a roll. Unroll the seal and let it sit for a few days to help it flatten out. If it is extremely cold outside unroll the threshold where it is warmer such as inside your home or in the sunlight.

The next step is cleaning the garage floor. Power-washing works best along with soap and water to remove any oils. Let the floor dry completely. Fill any cracks then rough up the surface with a wire brush.

Now it is time to cut the threshold to make a perfect fit. Most thresholds can be easily cut with a utility knife. Open the garage door and center the threshold between garage door tracks. Trim to fit. Remember that the hump or raised portion of the threshold goes on the inside of the door. Now lower the garage door to rest on top of the threshold. Make sure the threshold fits snuggly against the back of the door. With a pencil, mark the floor from one end to the other. Have your partner hold the threshold down while you open the garage door. Without moving the threshold mark the outside length.

This photo, “Black Diamond Plate Transition Strip in Garage” is copyright (c) 2013 DiamondBack Truck Covers and made available under an Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 license

Garage door thresholds need to be sealed properly to ensure the hold. Most companies will sell you a small tube of the adhesive caulk.  We recommend buying an extra tube or better yet getting a large tube which can be used with a caulking gun. The small tubes can be difficult to squeeze. Using a caulking gun makes applying the caulk much easier and more accurate. Follow the instructions that come with the particular threshold you are using. They do vary according to whether your garage floor is raw concrete, sealed or painted. Again do your homework before applying. Once the threshold is placed on the glue it is difficult to move and can cause the threshold not to seal properly.

Solicit the help of another person. With your partner, carefully press on the threshold beginning at one end and working to the next. Stay within the pencil lines. Push down firmly and make adjustments quickly. Once you have set the threshold, close the garage door and inspect it carefully. Keep the garage door closed for 24 to 48 hours. To properly seal the threshold needs constant pressure until it is completely set. Do not drive on it until it is dry.

Another garage winter weather tip is using a Snirt Stopper! (snow and dirt stopper!) This unique seal/threshold actually mounts to the inside face of the door using self-tapping screws. This design allows you to adjust the seal up or down up to 2″. The top tab attaches to the back of the door.  Below that is a flexible foam core which rests on the floor. Attached to the foam core is a flexible bottom tab that goes underneath the garage door holding the foam core tight against the door and creating the seal. This one-piece Snirt Stopper is made of 18 oz. all weather truck tarp fabric and is made to fit any size residential or commercial garage door. Not only does it seal the door to the cement but it also prevents the garage door from freezing to the ground. Visit www.snirtstopper.com to get take a look.

Installing garage door thresholds has many benefits both in the winter and the summer months. These benefits include keeping your garage clean, dry and protected from rodents and bugs. Garage door thresholds are an inexpensive and easy way to solve a lot of problems. Anderson Garage Doors is always ready to help you with garage winter weather tips. Just give us a call at (435) 752-6677 or send us an email at anderson.doors.ut@gmail.com and we’ll be there in no time to help.