Is a cracked garage door bottom seal worth fixing?

Yes. The bottom seal closes the gap between the door and the floor, and once it cracks, splits or flattens, that gap lets in rain, dust, leaves, insects and rodents. A replacement seal is inexpensive next to what a mouse or a puddle can do to boxes, tools and anything else stored near the door.

Signs the seal needs replacing

• Daylight visible under the closed door, especially at the corners.
• Cracks, tears or missing pieces along the rubber.
• A seal that has gone hard and flat and no longer flexes against the floor.
• Water, dirt or leaves collecting just inside the door after storms.
• Droppings or chewed material near the door.

What replacement involves

Bottom seals come in different profiles to fit the retainer on the bottom of the door, so the new seal has to match your door. Many slide into a channel in the bottom retainer; others fasten differently. The work is done with the door closed and the opener disconnected. The bottom corners are also where the spring-loaded cables attach, so the bottom brackets should never be loosened to get at the seal.

What a seal will not do

A new seal fills gaps against a reasonably level floor. It will not fully seal a badly uneven slab, and it does not redirect driveway runoff; see stopping water under the door. If the side and top weatherstripping is also worn, check it at the same time; see weatherstripping and trim replacement.

Read more

• Garage door bottom seal guide
• Garage door weather stripping
• Garage door repair in Davis

Related questions

• Are insulated garage doors harder to maintain?
• How do I stop water from running under my garage door?
• Is an insulated garage door worth it in a hot garage?
• Do you replace garage door weatherstripping and trim?
• Can I insulate my existing garage door instead of replacing it?

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