As a homeowner in South Mississippi, you must be aware of how important weather stripping is in your garage. Weather stripping protects your garage from the elements and ensures it stays warm in winter and cool in summer. Over time, this vital piece of your garage door can wear out, leaving your garage vulnerable to the harsh elements. If you don’t address worn stripping promptly, you can see increasing utility bills and reduced energy efficiency. Many homeowners may not know what warning signs to be on the lookout for and can miss some telltale signs that there’s a problem.
So, how do you identify the signs of wear and tear in your garage’s weather stripping? We will walk you through everything you need to know to determine if your garage needs a new weather stripping.
Check for Visible Damage
Visible damage is the most apparent sign of wear and tear in weather stripping. Take a thorough look at the weather stripping around your garage. If you notice any cracks, tears, or missing pieces, it’s a sign that your weather stripping is damaged and needs to be replaced. Make sure to check all the sides of the garage doors to ensure no damaged areas.
Conduct a Draft Test
If your garage still feels cold even with the doors closed, it’s a sign that your weather stripping isn’t doing its job. One simple way to check is to turn off all the fans or air conditioning in your garage and close its door. Use a lit candle or lighter and move it around the edges of the door. If the flame flickers or goes out, it’s a sign that there’s a draft getting into your garage. This is a clear indicator that your weather stripping needs to be replaced.
Inspect the Bottom of Your Garage Door
The bottom of your garage doors should have a rubber seal known as a bottom seal. This seal helps to keep out water, dust, and pests from entering your garage. If there’s visible wear and tear or any sign of rot, it clearly indicates that it needs to be replaced. Check regularly for gaps between the door’s bottom and the ground, indicating that the rubber seal has worn out.
Check if Your Energy Bill is High
Your energy bills can offer a clue as to whether your weather stripping needs to be replaced. If you’ve noticed a spike in your energy bills but haven’t made any significant changes in your home, it’s possible that your weather stripping needs replacement. Worn-out weather stripping can cause your heating and cooling systems to work harder than usual to maintain comfortable temperatures, leading to higher energy bills.
Look for Signs of Water Damage
Water getting into your garage through the door cracks can damage your garage walls and floors. One way to tell if your weather stripping is not doing its job is to check for watermarks around the door. If water gets in through the cracks, it’s a clear sign that your weather stripping needs repair or replacement.
DIY Vs. Professional Repairs
While some homeowners may fancy themselves as DIY specialists, sometimes this can lead to unexpected trouble. Those who don’t have experience with replacing weather stripping or identifying potential problems in their garage may miss some key clues that they have a problem at hand. In situations like these, finding a residential garage door company in Jackson and serving the MS Gulf Coast can help ensure the job gets done right, and you can begin to enjoy the benefits of intact weather stripping.
Contact Verge Entrance Solutions for Your Weather Striping Needs
Now that you’re familiar with the signs of wear and tear in your garage’s weather stripping, you can take the next steps to have it checked by a professional. Prioritizing your garage’s weather stripping repair in Jackson and the MS Gulf Coast may seem like a small detail, but it offers significant benefits in terms of energy savings, temperature regulation, and protection from harsh elements. Contact Verge Entrance Solutions and schedule your next weather stripping inspection today!