When was the last time you went outside to inspect your target="_blank" href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Garage-Door-Seal">garage door seals? If you’re anything like most homeowners then you have probably never given it the first thought. Yet by neglecting to carry out this seemingly trivial bit of inspection and maintenance you leave yourself open to scenarios which could potentially cause serious damage your home, not to mention costing you possibly thousands of dollars to repair. To avoid such an outcome, ask yourself these simple questions about your target="_blank" href="http://customhomesandremodeling.net/category/garage/">home and garage.

#1 – Are there a lot more insects in your garage than normal?

One of the first signs that homeowners generally pick up on is that there are a lot more bugs and other insects finding their way into their garage. When the door seal begins to fail gaps will be created which insects will use to enter your home. The garage area is typically cool, damp, and dark, which is exactly what many insects like to live in.

#2 – When it rains does water pool up inside of your door?

If, during rough weather, you notice water gathering on the garage floor you will probably need to change out the seal. This is another telltale sign that the sealant material is deteriorating and the garage door seal is no longer providing the intended protection. When pools of water begin collecting you could easily face problems such as the concrete cracking, or mold beginning to grow behind the drywall, both of which are potentially very expensive problems to fix.

#3 – Does your garage door seal look like it needs to be replaced?

Whenever you lift the garage door and look at the seal, does it simply look like it needs to be replaced? Usually with a quick look you can determine whether or not the seal has begun deteriorating. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, or an inspection reveals that there is damage to the seal, then you are probably going to want to think about replacing it.

A regular visual inspection now and then plus maybe a few dollars on simple preventive maintenance could save you from a lot of heartache later. So don’t neglect your humble garage door seals – they’re more important than you might realize. Other areas worth keeping on top of include maintenance of garage door springs.