A garage provides homeowners with additional storage space for outdoor items; vehicles and lawn equipment are often kept in a garage to guard them against exposure to the elements. Each garage must be fitted with a quality garage door to provide maximum protection.

A garage door is made of many different components. Most homeowners know that they need to replace bent panels and grease rollers regularly, but it can be easy for homeowners to overlook the condition of the bottom seal on their garage door.

What is a bottom seal?

The bottom seal is the strip of vinyl that runs along the very bottom of your garage door. A bottom seal acts as a barrier between the floor of your garage and the garage door itself. Some expensive garage doors might have a rubber seal instead of a vinyl one, but all bottom seals serve essentially the same purpose: to create an airtight seal inside your garage.

What does a bottom seal do?

Since the bottom seal is a buffer between the concrete floor of your garage and your overhead garage door, a quality bottom seal can protect your garage door from sustaining serious damage during regular use. The bottom seal is also responsible for preventing environmental contaminants from finding their way into your garage.

Without a working bottom seal, your garage door can serve as an access point for water, dirt, and insects. Many homes are directly connected to their garage spaces, so any environmental contaminants that enter an attached garage could also infiltrate your home.

Keeping a functional bottom seal on your garage door at all times is the only way to maintain the security and cleanliness of your garage space.

When should a bottom seal be replaced?

Even if your garage door is built to last, the bottom seal on the door may not be. The vinyl or rubber used to construct bottom seals can harden over time. This hardening process makes the vinyl or rubber brittle and more susceptible to damage.

Loss of flexibility can also result in an improper seal between your garage door and the floor. Check the condition of your bottom seal regularly, and replace the seal when it begins to show signs of wear. This will help you fully protect your garage space in the future.

A bottom seal can significantly impact the cleanliness and function of your garage space. Replace an aging or damaged bottom seal quickly to keep your garage secure. Contact a garage door company for more information.