Have you ever been in your garage when the overhead door is closed and noticed a significant amount of light shining through the bottom? This is likely due to a gap between the bottom of your garage door and the ground underneath. 

This is often due to settling in your concrete and not anything wrong with your garage door, but it is an issue that should be addressed.

Causes of Slab Settlement

It is very common and normal for concrete to settle, shift, or crack over years of use and exposure to the elements. 

Settlement issues with garage slabs often occur where the driveway meets the slab. Water finds its way into the expansion joint between these two surfaces, seeping down and carrying away the dirt that had been compacted when the slab was poured. Slowly, the concrete will dip into the void forming below.

What Issues Does This Cause?

While it can be common if you have a significant gap between your garage door and concrete this can become an issue. 

During heavy rains, water will often flow underneath the door and pool in the garage. Constant exposure to the elements can cause tools and steel implements to rust prematurely. Additionally, if your garage is heated or cooled, you are expending energy costs that are being wasted outdoors. 

What’s The Solution?

There are multiple solutions to fill this gap between your garage door and concrete. Some solutions are very expensive and include mud jacking, drilling into your concrete slab, and raining your slab. 

Luckily, simpler and cheaper solutions are available. 

  • Bigger Gasket: Some companies sell extra thick rubber gaskets that run underneath your garage door. The additional thickness provides a cushion that might level the door against the ground.
  • Threshold Stripes: A rubber threshold that runs along the floor beneath the garage door is often the cheapest solution, and they are available between ½” and 1” in height. The threshold is easy to install, secured against the floor with standard construction adhesives

Overhead Doors in Ohio

Every once in a while your garage door may actually be the culprit of a gap underneath your garage. This could be due to a sagging, bent, or otherwise damaged garage door. For garage door repair or more on overhead doors in Ohio contact our team at Springfield Overhead Door.