Why Garage Door Seals Matter: Protecting Your Home from Houston's Humidity
Houston Weather: Hot, Humid & Wet = Houston Life As strong as your garage door can be, if it is not actually sealed tight then you might be facing a moisture problem, a place for bugs to congregate, or an even higher energy bill. One part that you should not overlook is its garage door seal, as it plays a vital role in protecting your home and your garage from the elements, especially in Houston weather. We know that garage door seals need to be durable and reliable. Over time, garage door seals can become worn out and need replacement… if you start to notice signs that your home is no longer protected from Houston humidity using our guide can help explain the purpose of garage door seals while saving money and the headache of other expensive fixes!
Keep Out Moisture and Humidity Damage
If your garage door is not adequately sealed or if you live in Houston, where high humidity prevails to the point of causing moisture in your garage. In the long term, moisture can lead to rust on metal components, warping of wood materials, and even mold. Garage door seals create a
barrier to keep precipitation (rainwater, humidity, moisture) out of your garage as well as protect items inside the garage.
Why It Matters:
Rust prevention – The metal parts including the springs, tracks, and rollers are most likely to rust when exposed to moisture. The process of moisture intrusion is reduced by using a good sealing agent, which increases the life of these parts.
Prevent mold In a storage unit, natural moisture is enough to provide conditions for mildew and mold growth, posing health risks and threatening the integrity of items stored. Since all molds need moisture to grow and breed, a well-sealed garage door helps control mold growth.
Temperature Control and Energy Efficiency
Seals: Not only do garage door seals keep the moisture out, but they also help to control the temperature in your garage. Seals help to prevent hot air from the brutal Houston summers from creeping into your garage and raising the temperature so it is much warmer while cooling nearby rooms. This causes higher energy bills and can put harsher wear on your home’s HVAC system.
Why It Matters:
Lower energy bills: Keep your garage door from letting hot air in during the summer months and cold air in during the winter, which can help keep the room temperatures inside your house more even.
Preserve your HVAC system: By eliminating much of the temperature variant inside your garage, you can help ease wear and tear on this critical aspect of your home.
Keep Pests and Insects Out
Houston, having a warm and humid climate condition is becoming one of the best places in the U.S. for insects, rodents, and other small animals to live in. This makes gaps that may be present around your garage door an open invitation for such guests. Having garage door seals in place acts as a barrier allowing for fewer pests to enter inside, crucial in keeping your garage and home pest-free.
Why It Matters:
Avoiding infestations: Sealing gaps around your garage door that would keep pests inside and out of whether they breed, which then likely lead to garage structure damage or damage to stored items.
Tips to keep your home pest-free and avoid health risks: By having pests such as rodents in their homes, you are putting yourself and — especially — family members at risk. Keeping them out is a matter of proper sealing.
Protect Your Garage from Debris and Dust
Proper: If there are gaps around the door, dust, dirt, leaves, and other debris will wind blow into your garage. This debris can worsen with time and damage the tracks, rollers, and several other moving components of your garage door system. Good garage seals can keep trash from entering your garage, keep the inside cleaner, and extend the life of your garage door parts.
Why It Matters:
Increased longevity: With all dirt and debris kept outside, the less maintenance you will need to perform on your garage door as less dust and grease getting into mechanisms means fewer things wear faster.
Increase longevity of the parts: By keeping dirt, dust, and debris out of the tracks and rollers, we can help your garage door move properly to lessen any wear on the components that may occur causing a malfunction.
Different Types of Garage Door Seals
What are the various types of garage door seals? The Proper Seals are Key to Keeping the Houston Humidity Out of Your Home Where All Those Huston Weekends Take Place
Bottom Seals
- The bottom seal follows the contour of the lowest edge of your garage door and helps to define a tight seal at the ground level when closed. This seal becomes essential in the prevention of water, pesky insects, and debris and is energy efficient.
- Price: Bottom seals usually cost between $20 to $50, depending on the material and size of the door.
Side and Top Seals (weather stripping)
- This is weather stripping that runs along the sides and top of the garage door, filling those gaps between the door and the frame. Air Seals: Sealing air leaks with these seals to stop all three unwanted problems (moisture, dust, and pests).
- Weatherstripping price: Weather stripping will run you between $10 and $30 per piece based on the material it is manufactured from, combined with the length of climate-stripping necessary.
Threshold Seals
- The door threshold seals are fixed onto the bottom of the garage floor where the door will rest. They give you an extra line of defense against water and grime, particularly in garages where there is a high probability of flooding.
- Price: Threshold seals range in price from $30 to $70 based on the materials and length of the seal.
Protect Your Garage from Debris and Dust
Weather exposure, wear and tear, and normal aging are some of the most common reasons that garage door seals can wear out. Seals should be inspected and replaced as necessary to continue providing proper protection.
Signs It Is Time to Replace Your Garage Door Seals
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Gaps
If the door sits on the frame and you can see lights between the door and threshold then your seals are no good.
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Cracks or tears
Seals can crack, tear, or dry out with age, and the humid heat of Houston will wear them out faster than in some places in drier climates around the nation.
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Leaks
One sign of a damaged or worn-out seal is if water pools in your garage after a rainstorm.
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Pests
If the door sits on the frame and you can see lights between the door and threshold then your seals are no good.
Professional Installation for Lasting Protection
Premature wear and a poor fit are not the only reasons you should never try to install garage door seals on your own. We will install any of the garage door seals as mentioned, including your home from Houston humidity, heat, and bugs.
The advantages of working with professionals
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Properly lined seals
Our technicians expertly align and install the seals to ensure a snug overlap, keeping moisture, air, and pests at bay.
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Professionally installed seals
Professionally installed seals; are most likely to be more durable and offer better & long-lasting protection for your home.
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Professional Installation Concerns
Having your Garage Door Seals replaced by professionals provides peace of mind that you are protecting your garage and home from the elements.
Conclusion
Garage door seals are vital to ensuring your home is protected against the humidity, pests, and punishing weather for which Houston is known. A good seal can help reduce moisture damage and save you money on energy costs while also protecting your garage and home from the elements.
At Affordable Garage Door Repair, we provide expert garage door seal installation and maintenance services to help you protect your house. Need to swap out those worn-out seals or upgrade your existing setup? We give free estimates so call us today and we will help you protect your home from the ruthless climate delivered by the city of Houston.
