DIY: A better garage door seal for free - keep the wind out!

This takes 5 mins to do and costs nothing. It keeps the garage door pressed up against the outside rubber seal so cold air is not blowing through the gap. I do this to the doors in my heated shop every fall and then undo them every spring. Now the heater runs much less! Note: these doors are only opened a couple times/month during winter and they don't have a power door opener on them. Tracks on my doors are not adjustable, because the track goes down into the concrete floor.
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[WorshipTheSavior]

No everyone has that style of hinge, and removing bolts from hinges could be dangerous depending on the design.

Actually, the proper way to fix that is to move the track closer to the wall. The track mounts on the outside of the track should have a slot which the bolt can slide in. Loosen the bolts on one side slightly, then press the track toward the wall and tighten. Now the rollers will not be loose and the door will be pressed against the door frame and rubber weather stripping.

[SilverDollarAl]

Thanks to this video I just got rid of a roughly 3/16" gap all along the sides of my door, which is not desirable with all the below zero weather we get. The video helped because it made me take a close look at the tracks, which are also riveted. What I saw was the L brackets holding them were shimmed with a bunch of washers. 5 minutes to R&R the lag screws to remove the washers. Door still operates freely but is now sealed. Bottom line, check for un-needed spacers folks.

[richarddannov]

Move your tracks forward. There are adjustment bolts where the track mounts to the wall

[rafaelmontanez]

It's a Great idea if you don't open the garage door at all.. otherwise not so much...but still thanks for Sharing....👍

[badnova]

With the style hinge you have you could stick a spring in it to push the door towards the framing.

[lpwnage]

The hinges hold the door together, FYI.

[msmeganmole]

I lose so much heat that way through my side garage doors.  I am going to try this trick.  Some one said there is an actual way to adjust the side screws without having to remove the screws.  Wish he would have said more.  For now will try to pull hinge up and add a little foam under it.  thank you

[lyndagruen]

I'd have to agree with the comments on this solution not being practical or safe -- especially for anyone who has only one garage and actually uses their door about daily. I realize this is a "free" solution, but I think that some of us wouldn't mind paying a little for a product or retrofitting service that would work safely and effectively. But thanks anyway. =)

[avoverhead]

The rollers are worn out..Better answer is to replace your rollers. What this video is suggesting will cause binding on your door and excess wear on your operator. It may also have the added side benefit of having your door getting stuck or not closing or opening at all. One more thing, the wood that your weather seal is attached to will expand and contract depending on the weather, facts of nature.

[aftech]

Use a rubber door wedge does the job without removing hardware

[mikek]

I only have one garage door, but this would definitely have came in handy with the blizzard we just had!

[PetrichorXFi]

moving track closer to wall is likely better.

Buuut I appreciate your video... as it at least gives us ideas of the problem (even though removing bolts likely is not a great idea as likely is a bit unsafe... however you could likely put in some shims... then longer bolts... thus still get your angle you want, but do so more safely.

Challenge with that is it may not easily move on the upper parts of the tracks... or for that matter may put stress on your garage door opener motor... but might be worth looking into

[VeghTheHun]

Your tracks are not adjusted close enough to the wall...

[JD-mmur]

You're lucky to have that rubber seal. I have none. My garage door frame shines. Facing east too

[nunyabiznez]

Bad Idea!

It was not designed to work unsecured as you are proposing. It would have been cooler if you fashioned a wedge to support the realigned track runner supports.

[AndrewMiguelez]

Nice, quick solution. Unfortunately, I do not have hinges like that so I'm going to have to keep thinking of a solution, but I'm happy this has worked for you. Thanks for sharing.

[carlt.madison]

Garage doors lead a pretty short life. The only thing they do is open, close, close and open until they stop functioning. Garage door repair springfield va...   Very satisfied! Good service!

[DNAhomeaudio]

I am dealing with the same issues, But you do know that the side brackets that hold your rail have a tightening channel right?  You can udjust the track on the side so you don't have to take your hinges half off. 

[NicksGarageDoorService]

Most tracks on garage doors are adjustable, some are riveted from the factory for whatever stupid reason. It's not always the installer that rivets the tracks together because most good door brands supply the cairrage bolts with the door. If you ever replace your doors, I do not reccomend Wayne Dalton doors which is what you've got. They're usually cheaply made and flimsy. I recommend C.H.I. doors.

[alliebeauregard]

You just saved me a lot of headache today thanks so much! I live out in the country on large acreage my garage/basement shop faces the same way and I have a door for easy access on one half of the sf. I have dealt with this long enough tried your method worked like a charm!