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Garage Door Weather Seal Failure
in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale's heavy rain season runs from June through October and can drop several inches of water in a single afternoon. A failed bottom seal on the garage door lets that water run straight across the floor and soak into drywall, stored belongings, and the subfloor if there's living space above. Old vinyl seals crack in the heat here after just a few years.
Quick Answer
The rubber seal along the bottom and sides of a garage door keeps rain, heat, and insects out. Fort Lauderdale gets over 60 inches of rain a year, and a worn seal lets water sheet across your garage floor every time it storms. Replacing the bottom seal and side stops takes less than an hour on most doors. Call (754) 354-5611 if you see light around the door edges or water on the floor after rain.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Water on the garage floor after heavy rain
- Daylight visible under or around the door when it is closed
- Insects, lizards, or frogs regularly getting inside the garage
- The garage is noticeably hotter than it should be
- The rubber seal along the bottom is cracked, torn, or missing sections
- Mold or mildew smell along the garage floor near the door
Root Causes
What Causes Garage Door Weather Seal Failure?
UV And Heat Degradation
The rubber bottom seal on a garage door sits in direct sunlight for hours every day in Fort Lauderdale. UV radiation and heat above 90 degrees make the rubber hard, brittle, and cracked within three to five years on most doors. Once it cracks, it no longer presses flat against the floor.
The Fix
Bottom Seal Replacement
A technician slides the old seal out of the retainer channel along the bottom of the door and inserts a new vinyl or rubber seal. The new seal should make full contact with the floor when the door is down.
Damaged Or Missing Side Stops
The side stops are the foam or rubber strips running up each side of the door frame. They compress when the door closes and block the gap between the door edge and the frame. In older homes built in the 1970s in areas like Tamarac and Margate, these stops have often been painted over, compressed flat, or torn off entirely.
The Fix
Side Stop And Top Seal Replacement
A technician removes the old stop molding and installs new foam-backed weatherstrip along the sides and top. This also reduces noise from wind and street traffic.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | UV And Heat Degradation | Damaged Or Missing Side Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Water comes in along the bottom of the door | ||
| Light visible along the sides of the door | ||
| Bottom seal is visibly cracked or brittle | ||
| Gap between door edge and frame when closed | ||
| Insects entering from bottom corners only |
Free Inspection
Get a Diagnosis in Fort Lauderdale
An on-site inspection is the only way to confirm which cause applies to your property. Free, no obligation.
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