Replace the bottom seal when it is cracked, brittle, torn or leaves a gap or draft along the floor. Clopay says most seals need replacing every 2 to 3 years. A T-style seal slides into a retainer on the bottom of the door. Match the end profile, measure the door width and cut the new seal a little long.
When to replace the seal
The bottom seal is the flexible strip along the bottom edge of the door. It helps keep out water, dirt, pests and drafts. Clopay says to inspect it about every three months and that most seals need replacing every 2 to 3 years, depending on climate and use.
- Cracks, tears or missing pieces
- A seal that has hardened and no longer springs back
- A gap between the seal and the floor
- A cold draft along the bottom, or water, leaves and pests getting in
Know your seal before you buy
Clopay lists three common seal styles. A T-style seal has an upside-down T shape and slides into a channel on the bottom of the door, and it suits most homes. A U-style or bulb seal compresses and helps on rough floors. A bead style snaps into place. Materials matter too: rubber is flexible but can stiffen in cold, vinyl resists moisture and sun and silicone stays flexible but costs more.
For a T-style seal, the T end has to fit your retainer. One how-to lists 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch as common T sizes and suggests taking a cut piece of the old seal to the store. A wrong size will not seat in the channel.
How to replace a T-style seal
Secure the door
Disconnect the opener with the release cord. Raise the door to about eye level and hold it in place, for example with locking pliers clamped on the track just below the bottom roller. Do this only if the door stays up on its own. A heavy or falling door is a technician job.
Slide out the old seal
Straighten any crimped ends or remove screws, grip one end with pliers and pull steadily along the channel. If it is brittle or stuck, cut it into shorter sections.
Clean the channel
Brush out debris and wipe the bottom edge of the door. Open a pinched channel gently with a flat screwdriver.
Measure and cut the new seal
Measure the width of the door, not the opening, and cut the new seal a little longer than needed. Clopay says to cut long and trim later.
Slide it in
A little silicone lubricant in the channel makes this easier, and a second person pulling from the far end helps on a wide door. Keep the bulb or flap facing as the package shows.
Trim and test
Leave about 1 inch at each end to allow for shrinking, then trim and crimp the ends. Lower the door and check that the seal meets the floor evenly with no gaps.
Use silicone-based lubricant on rubber and vinyl. Petroleum-based products can damage them, and Clopay advises against them.
What to avoid
- Do not stand or reach under a door that is not secured
- Do not use WD-40 or other petroleum-based products on rubber or vinyl
- Do not loosen or remove the bottom brackets, which are under cable tension
- Do not buy before you check the end profile and retainer type
- Do not adhere or screw a seal over a retainer that is bent or damaged
After the new seal goes in
A thicker, fresh seal can touch the floor sooner than a worn one. If the door reverses or stops short, the opener's travel setting may need a small change as the owner's manual shows. Then run the reverse test in our safety test guide. Check the seal again each spring and fall, since winter cold can crack rubber.
When to call a technician
Call if the retainer is bent or missing, if the door is heavy or will not stay up when raised, if the floor is uneven and the seal will not close the gap, or if you would rather not work under a raised door. A bottom seal is a small job, and it is often done with a roller, hinge or sensor visit. See garage door repair.
Let us do it
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors across Southern California, for example in Clovis, Blythe and Baldwin Park. Call (213) 340-4232 or send the estimate form, and tell us the door width and what the old seal looks like. We confirm the price after we see the door.
Questions people ask
How often should a garage door bottom seal be replaced?
Clopay says most bottom seals need replacing every 2 to 3 years depending on climate and use, and that you should inspect them about every three months.
How do I know which bottom seal fits my door?
Check the end profile: T-style, bead or bulb. For a T style, measure the T end and compare it to your retainer. Taking a cut piece of the old seal to the store helps.
Can I replace a garage door bottom seal myself?
Often yes, if the door stays up on its own and you secure it first. Do not work on brackets or springs. Call a technician if the door is heavy or the retainer is damaged.
What lubricant should I use on the seal?
Use silicone-based lubricant. Clopay says it helps rubber and vinyl seals stay flexible and warns against petroleum-based products.
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