Garages tend to be attractive spaces to mice. Practicing good garage door maintenance can help keep the mice and other rodents out of your garage. If you're a homeowner and you're concerned about avoiding an infestation this winter, these tips can help.
1. Weatherstrip Your Garage Door
Most people install weatherstripping to reduce drafts and keep out rain and inclement weather. Weatherstripping also blocks pests who might attempt to enter your garage.
Garage door weatherstripping is generally made of rubber. To install the weatherstripping, measure each side and the top of your garage door with a measuring tape, then cut the rubber strip down to size with a utility knife. Nail the rubber strip into the trim around the door.
After you place the stirp, test your door once or twice to ensure that the weatherstripping does not interfere with the operation of the door. If the weatherstripping gets in the way, you'll have to take it off and make adjustments.
If you don’t want to attempt installation yourself, talk to your garage door contractor.
2. Replace the Seal on Your Garage Door
Garage doors may not always meet the floor of the garage perfectly, especially if the garage floor is slightly uneven. To create a seal with the floor, most garage doors have a U-shaped rubber gasket along the bottom. This gasket keeps out tiny pests that might otherwise slip under the door.
Over time, garage door seals may deteriorate. After many seasons of exposure to water, rain, snow, and ice, the gasket may start to crack or fall off. Seals may last a few years or may need replacement more frequently, depending on the climate and the quality of the seal.
Most seals are threaded through a pair of grooves on the underside of the door. The grooves hold them in place. To replace this type of seal, grasp the end of the gasket, then pull it out gently from either side of the door. Push the new seal in through the same side where you removed the old seal.
Gaskets can be difficult to install, so work with a partner to help push or pull the seal into place. If the gasket is too long to fit into the grooves under the door, use a utility knife to cut the gasket to the proper size.
Some garage doors have a strip of rubber nailed into the bottom of the door. The process to replace these types of gaskets is similar. Simply pull off the old rubber seal, then nail the new rubber seal into place.
3. Replace Your Garage Door When Its Service Life Ends
Old garage doors can become problematic over time. As materials age, they may stop fitting properly in the door frame, and it may become more difficult to develop a good seal between the garage and the door. Most garage doors can last a couple decades, but after about 20 years, many must be replaced.
If your garage door is in disrepair, or if it's just at the end of its service life, have it evaluated by a garage door contractor. Your garage door contractor can help you decide if your garage door can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
4. Inspect Your Garage Door Periodically
Inspect your garage door at least once per year. Look for problems like indentations, scratches, and areas where the paint is visibly chipped and the garage door material is visible underneath.
If you have a fiberglass door, check it periodically for cracks that may have occurred due to impact. Fiberglass in particular can be brittle and may be vulnerable to breakage if someone runs into your door with a car or a bicycle.
If you own a steel garage door, look for the tell-tale signs that your door is rusting. Specifically, look for orange discolorations in the paint.
5. Maintain Your Garage Door
Keep your garage door clean and properly painted, if paint is required. Some types of garage doors, like vinyl, do not need to be painted. Steel doors do need to be repainted if they become scratched. If you're not sure what your door is made of and what needs to be done to maintain it, talk to a garage door contractor.
If your garage door has windows, replace the glass promptly in the event that the glass ever becomes cracked or shattered. Broken windows can be an entry point for rodents. If you're not sure how to replace your garage door windows, get help from a repair person.
6. Contact Your Garage Door Contractor
Don't feel comfortable doing your own garage door inspection and maintenance? Your garage door contractor is a partner in the maintenance and care of your garage door. Work with your garage door contractor to ensure that your garage door is taken care of over time.
At Edgemont Garage Doors, we're happy to help you keep your garage mouse-free and your garage door in good condition.
Contact us today to make an appointment for a consultation.
