Are Garage Doors Water and Pest Proof?
While the primary purpose of a garage is to shelter a vehicle, tools, and the like, garage doors aren't designed to seal it off from the outside area completely. Garage doors need to be additionally secured to keep water and pests out.
Here are some suggestions on making the garage doors as waterproof and pest-proof as they can be.
Preventing a pest invasion
The best way to make sure no vermin can get into the garage is to seal the door. Garage doors already have a seal at the bottom and gaskets on the sides. However, all of this is made of rubber, which will wear down after a while. Also, mice and other rodents can chew the rubber down, and the same goes for wood and plastic.
The bottom threshold shouldn't be left to stand for more than three years. If new seals are installed regularly, they'll prove quite useful in keeping the vermin from squeezing beneath the door, and the same applies to the gaskets. Furthermore, a metal flashing along every exposed edge of the door will be much sturdier against pests.
Don't invite the vermin
There are certain steps to make the garage interior less inviting to vermin. Pay attention to any food stored in the garage. Food supplies don't belong in a garage, but some people tend to store pet food there. If the food absolutely must remain in the same place, keep it above ground and put it in a container with a tight lid.
If you have pets, make sure to take care of their needs outside of the garage since their food leftovers will attract mice and rats. For the same reason, cat litter boxes shouldn't be placed in the garage.
Waterproofing the garage door
Threshold seals can be a great way to waterproof the garage door and protect the interior from vermin. If the seal is quality-made and attached firmly to the floor, it can keep a significant amount of water out of the garage. This kind of seal will make cleaning the garage floor more difficult, but it's a small price to pay for preventing a potential flood during heavy rains.
Insulation and sealing
Any cracks or gaps in the garage door will allow water to leak in. That's why it's a good idea to insulate the doors and fill in any remaining gaps. The insulation will ensure no water can come from the door surface and will make the door weatherproof at the same time. In other words, proper insulation will make the garage more resistant to heat and cold, in addition to remaining dry on rainy days.
The insulation doesn't necessarily cover gaps that may appear on the edges and corners. However, if they aren't too extensive, this issue can be resolved with caulk or insulating foam, which will perfectly seal the doors.
Sealing the garage tight
The very function of a garage prevents it from being sealed as tight as the home interior is. But the methods described will give the garage doors a better fighting chance against water and pests. While the results might not be perfect, using all available techniques will make the garage door significantly more resilient.
Quality Overhead Door, Inc. is a full-service garage door installation and repair company for both residential and commercial customers in the GIlbert area 480-838-8850.
Our new location:
Quality Overhead Door Inc
1750 N. Rosemont., Ste 107
Mesa, AZ 85205
Office: 480.838.8850 Fax: 480.964.9942
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