Adjusting a Garage Door Threshold

  • 1-3 hours
  • Beginner
  • 25-50
What You'll Need
Hammer
Pry bar
Paint
Putty
2-inch nails
Wood sealant
Drill
Tape measure
Sandpaper
What You'll Need
Hammer
Pry bar
Paint
Putty
2-inch nails
Wood sealant
Drill
Tape measure
Sandpaper

Using a garage door threshold is regarded as one of the most practical methods of conserving household energy by immunizing the internal spaces against unwanted air outflow and moisture/rainwater seepage. Door threshold can be simply understood as the bottom part of any door, along the sill, that fills-in the gaps along the frame of the door. Energy saving thresholds are equally effective in maintaining a tight seal-like demarcation that helps to lend a more defined appearance to the garage space, along with protecting the flooring edges. When installed properly, door thresholds are effective for filling-in the space existing between the door and the sill, preventing air leakage that is common in almost every conventional garage.

However, most homeowners tend to neglect garage door thresholds, forgetting that these are critical for weatherproofing the entire household. Usually garages are attached to the house and even if they are separated, if left unattended, their effectiveness is compromised and this creates an easy passage for varmints and bugs apart from reducing a construction’s energy-saving efficiency. Garage door thresholds are not hard to replace or repair and most folks can do it, using the right tools and some guidance. Expensive garage door threshold replacement can be avoided by maintaining its proper operation through periodic adjustments.

Removing the Threshold

  1. Slowly remove the door threshold without causing any damage to the sill.
  2. Metal thresholds should be removed by unscrewing them.
  3. Wooden thresholds tend to be a bit sticky and you can remove them by using the tip of a screwdriver. It is recommended to slowly insert the tip and push it outwards.
  4. If the threshold is made of wood and very old, you would have to force the issue by using a claw hammer for removing the nails. If it still doesn't move, you can use a pry bar for removing the nails.
  5. Sometimes thresholds tend to stick even after the nails have been unscrewed. In such a scenario, the pry bar is your best bet for loosening the threshold’s grip.

    Checking for Damages

    1. It isn't necessarily the case that the threshold itself is under-performing, as a poorly-maintained sill, door or even the frame can be responsible for reducing the threshold’s effectiveness.
    2. Check the sill for rotting or development of cracks. If the sill is damaged, fix it before adjusting the threshold.
    3. Check the sides of the door frame as it may have weathered due to temperature changes. Adjust if it is bent out-of-shape, using a hammer.
    4. Check the functioning of the door. It should open/close comfortably, leaving about 1/8 inch of space between itself and the threshold.

      Tending the Threshold

      1. Check the threshold for the kind of weathering it has endured. This could be in the form of gradual wearing due to door movement, water seepage or even mold development.
      2. Threshold with loose nails tend to wobble. Replace the old nails with new finishing nails.
      3. If there are any holes that have been created due to the movement of the loose nails, fill them with some putty.
      4. Small degree of swelling along the wooden threshold can be resolved by smoothing it out with sandpaper.
      5. Moisture seepage can be prevented by coating it with a wood sealant or any standard polyurethane mixture.
      6. If the paint is spoiled, apply high-gloss enamels for increasing the threshold’s durability.