Replacing a Garage Door Seal

Your garage door seal plays an important part in keeping moisture and cold air out of your garage. It also helps to keep small critters and insects from crawling into your garage through small cracks or spaces under and around the door. If you need to replace an old or damaged seal, here are some DIY tips to help you through the process.

Measure Your Door.  First, you'll need to measure the width, height and depth of your door to buy the right seal. You'll need to buy V-strip weather stripping and a tube of exterior caulk. If you have a wooden door, buy a can of wood sealer as well. For maximum energy efficiency, a rubber seal typically works best, but in locations that get a lot of ice and snow, a “cold weather” silicone seal will resists cracking and remain flexible in extreme temperatures. If your door has a metal track that holds a replaceable seal, you can replace the old seal by sliding the new seal into the track. For easier application, you can lubricate the new seal with household dish washing liquid before sliding it into the track slots.

Old To New.  Raise the garage door to a comfortable working height so you can reach the old seal, then begin to slide the old seal out of the track. If it's difficult to remove in one piece, cut it into pieces for easier removal. If the ends of the track are damaged or crimped, open them up with a flat screwdriver to get the old seal out. Cut the new seal to the right length, thread the T-shaped edges into the metal track, then begin to slide the new seal into the track across the garage door. If you have a wooden door, you may need to remove a nailed rubber seal first, then use the wood sealer to seal the wood. For maximum energy efficiency, clean the areas between the door sections and install pressure-sensitive V-strip weather stripping in each section.

If your garage door has a threshold attached to the concrete where your door opens, you may want to replace it as well if it's old or damaged. Remove the old threshold and clean the concrete with a degreaser and warm water, then rinse and let dry. Cut the threshold to the right width, then roll the threshold into place with the hump on the inside of the door. Next, glue the threshold into place along the concrete and gently close the door firmly against it. Leave the door closed until the adhesive dries completely.

Depending on the type of garage door you have, there may be side and top seals that need to be replaced as well. Since there are numerous types of these other components, it's best to check the manufacturer's replacement requirements or contact a garage door company for the correct replacement parts. Although replacing the bottom seal for your door is relatively simple, it can take time and some pushing and pulling to get the seal into the track. If you're not up for a DIY project, call a professional garage door company who can help you replace your old seal properly.

How to Repair a Fiberglass Garage Door

A fiberglass garage door is a great way to reap the benefits of a steel garage door without worrying as much about maintenance costs. This is because fiberglass garage doors are essentially steel garage doors with a durable fiberglass coating. 

Benefits of Fiberglass Garage Doors 

Many homeowners are attracted to fiberglass garage doors because of their greater reliability and vintage look. As added bonuses, fiberglass doors help to insulate your home more efficiently, improve your home's outdoor decor and feature many of the same benefit checklist as steel garage doors. 

Things to watch out for with fiberglass garage doors, though, are small scratches or nicks that can expand over time. That said, you shouldn't be needlessly worried about touching up your fiberglass door - repairs can be done with over-the-counter bonding solutions, basic tools and an ounce of know-how. 

Steps to Repairing Your Fiberglass Door 

Locating the Crack 

The first diagnostic step you'll want to take is actually finding the crack. If the crack isn't clearly visible, then try taking your best guess as to the crack's location and listening. You'll be listening for a dull thud, which is indicative of a piece of fiberglass in need of repair.

Excising Damaged Areas 

Next you'll want to cut out the damaged region of your fiberglass garage door. Using a utility knife or grinder to take out the damaged area (and any enveloping bonding) will make applying the epoxy resin that much easier later on.

After removing the damaged area, now it's time to measure the effected area to accommodate a replacement piece of fiberglass panel.

You might want to install a waxed backer to make the actual installation more seamless. Waxed backers work great because they give you a more solid foundation to do your handiwork from while giving you a clean finish once you're done. 

Applying Replacement Piece 

Now you're ready to apply the replacement piece of fiberglass to the area in need of repair.

With your replacement piece in hand, fit the new piece of fiberglass into the area that you've cut out and press firmly to make sure that your bonding stably holds the replacement piece.

Making the Results Stick

If possible, try pressing the new piece against your wax backer for five to ten minutes to ensure proper bonding.

You can use a bonding agent like Liquid Nails to keep your replacement piece in place. Just make sure to let whichever bonding agent you go with dry overnight. 

It might also be a good idea to apply a body filler after your primary bond dries overnight in order to give a more seamless overall look to your new-and-improved fiberglass door.

Sandpaper can be used to smooth over your handiwork and paint can go a long way to removing traces of repair. 

Choosing the Right Loading Dock Bumpers

The right loading dock bumper is essential to ensuring that your business and its fleet remain efficient and safe. It's not always intuitive, though, which loading dock bumper is the most appropriate for your business needs, inventory and on-site vehicles.

That's why we've compiled a list of different types of loading dock bumpers - from laminated and extruded dock bumpers to steel-faced bumpers and molded docks - to help you make a more informed decision.

Your business and fleet are worth it, and after going through this list you'll have a better idea of which bumpers offer the most in terms of durability, affordability and protection for your business' most valuable assets. 

Laminated 

If you're a business owner who cares about the durability of your products - and who isn't? - then laminated dock bumpers are a terrific option for your loading area. Why? Laminated bumpers require almost no upkeep and can withstand even severe weather without corroding or needing to be replaced. 

Laminated dock bumpers can help protect your fleet's vehicles and the building on which the bumper itself is mounted to. Ideal for businesses that have medium or even heavier traffic throughout the day, laminated dock bumpers can withstand the test of time and provide years of dependable convenience.

As an added bonus, many laminated dock bumpers work great with lock seals and help keep in cool, refrigerated air. This feature comes in handy for fleets going to and from grocery stores or other vehicles in the service and hospitality industries. 

Extruded  

Extruded dock bumpers are all about versatility and can be used across industrial applications as well as providing protection for forklifts, parking garages and even boats.

In fact, extruded dock bumpers work well both outdoors and indoors. Extruded dock bumpers look great and are made from a resilient rubber material; these kinds of bumpers also come in your choice of style and a wide selection of sizes. 

That said, extruded dock bumpers are somewhat less well-suited for heavy truck traffic than laminated bumpers. An ideal application for extruded dock bumpers would be a parking garage, marina or indoor loading area that gets light to medium traffic from forklifts.

The fact that extruded dock bumpers are non-intrusive, extremely easy to install and considerably more lightweight than other kinds of bumpers works in the favor of building managers and small business owners around the country. 

Steel-Faced 

As you might already have gathered from the name, steel-faced bumpers can take a beating and work great to combat the abrasion that comes from trucks slamming against the bumper's surface. 

Steel-faced bumpers are perfect for protecting your building from high traffic in busy outdoor loading areas. This option, again, works well for high traffic since the steel-faced dock bumper's surface is usually reinforced with a half inch of extremely tough steel. 

What does this mean for you? Steel-faced bumpers will stand the test of time and protect your fleet for years to come. Moreover, steel-faced bumpers have less of a wear expectancy and longer lifespan than many other bumpers that combat daily high traffic loading areas. 

Molded 

Molded dock bumpers work well in loading areas that receive relatively light traffic. These kinds of bumpers take their namesake from the fact that molded bumpers are molded together from composite parts. The final product is incredibly discrete and efficient for your business. 

In spite of the discrete size, molded dock bumpers are durable and won't rust or contort over time. Since molded dock bumpers can withstand inclement weather as well, they'll lend a helping hand for years to come.