Filler strip under garage door?

[gscallon]

Hello All,
I was hoping that someone here might be able to help me out. The portion of concrete slab that's just under my garage door isn't flat. It's a bit wavy such that when the garage door is down and closed, some sections of the door touch the concrete but a few other sections, approximately 2 to 3 feet in length, have up to maybe a 1/4 or 3/8 inch gap between the bottom of the door and the floor.

I do have a nice spongy door gasket on the bottom of the door, and it does do a decent job of sealing things up, but I really want to improve things such that I get a more even and tight seal.

Since I don't want to grind the concrete flat, I thought I'd look for some thin strips of wood, or nylon, or plastic or something that I can tack to the bottom of the door in the gapped sections. I'd double them up for the large gaps, and use single strips for the small gaps. I'll then finish by installing a new seal over everything.

My question is, do you guys know where I can find strips of material like that? I was thinking 2 inch strips of hardwood floor material maybe? That might work.

If you could point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
-Greg
ps: FYI, I don't want to use any of the weather-seal gaskets that mount to the floor, so no need to mention going that route. I go in and out of the garage with jacks and engines stands and stuff and don't want anything on the ground.

 

[kbs2244]

Lath.
2x1/4x36 inch.
Less than $10.00 at any big box home improvment store.
Cut to length and insert under between the door and your bottom seal.

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Threshold might help if you are not wanting to grind...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hrh-194816/overview/

Jason

 

[Slednut]

If you want to fill the gap to an exact amount, find a piece of material you want to use to fill the gap. Make sure it’s wide and thick enough to cover the problem area. Remove the seal from the bottom of the door. Shut the door by hand, not with the auto door opener. Measure the widest gap between the door and the concrete floor. Rip the piece of material to the measured amount. Screw the piece of filler to the bottom of the door making sure it covers the problem area. Shut the door again by hand. Use a set of dividers to scribe the material making sure they are set to the width you ripped the material to. Remove it and use a belt sander to remove the material down to the scribe line. Screw it to the door making sure the original screw holes line up. Replace the seal.

 

[4AudiQ]

I used “3/4" Closed Cell Backer Rod” sold at Home Depot. UPC Code = 33886 00159
If you will look at the garage door gasket on the bottom of the door,
it has a gap in it where you can insert the Backer Rod to help with the
uneven thresholds.
It comes 3/4" x 20 feet. I had to use my snake to attach the Backer Rod to
and then pull it through.

 

[bmwe0692]

I used an old garden hose on mine. The bottom of the door had a rubber membrane,
that attached to both sides that was flattened down, leaving no give for the uneven concrete. Previous owner had too much down pressure. Used an old garden hose with holes in it, cut off the brass fittings, shoved hose in, cut off excess. Adjusted pressure so it hit both high and low spots. Not perfect, but it kept rain and snow out.

T.J.

 

[Cyberbear]

McMaster-Carr sells spring metal door weather striping in lengths you may cut to size. It is made to be tacked in place and works very well to seal various size door gaps. Give them a look www.mcmaster.com.

 

[bczygan]

if you want to fill the gap to an exact amount, find a piece of material you want to use to fill the gap. Make sure it’s wide and thick enough to cover the problem area. Remove the seal from the bottom of the door. Shut the door by hand, not with the auto door opener. Measure the widest gap between the door and the concrete floor. Rip the piece of material to the measured amount. Screw the piece of filler to the bottom of the door making sure it covers the problem area. Shut the door again by hand. Use a set of dividers to scribe the material making sure they are set to the width you ripped the material to. Remove it and use a belt sander to remove the material down to the scribe line. Screw it to the door making sure the original screw holes line up. Replace the seal.

this!

 

[buddyboy]

If you want to fill the gap to an exact amount, find a piece of material you want to use to fill the gap. Make sure it’s wide and thick enough to cover the problem area. Remove the seal from the bottom of the door. Shut the door by hand, not with the auto door opener. Measure the widest gap between the door and the concrete floor. Rip the piece of material to the measured amount. Screw the piece of filler to the bottom of the door making sure it covers the problem area. Shut the door again by hand. Use a set of dividers to scribe the material making sure they are set to the width you ripped the material to. Remove it and use a belt sander to remove the material down to the scribe line. Screw it to the door making sure the original screw holes line up. Replace the seal.

another vote for this.

it's the only way to do it, only thing I would add is to use some kind of pvc product like azek that can be worked like wood. if you use wood go with something treated or rot resistant.

 

[Brian_WK]

I used “3/4" Closed Cell Backer Rod” sold at Home Depot. UPC Code = 33886 00159
If you will look at the garage door gasket on the bottom of the door,
it has a gap in it where you can insert the Backer Rod to help with the
uneven thresholds.
It comes 3/4" x 20 feet. I had to use my snake to attach the Backer Rod to
and then pull it through.

My vote is on this as it has worked perfectly for me and will never rot out due to snow accumulation and still allows me to use the groves to replace the door gasket. And if it ever gets too crushed down I just pull it out and stick a new piece in. It only took 20 minutes and that included the 15 minute round trip to the store.

Brian

 

[mikeburris]

I had concrete that had dropped as much as 4" on one side. I used cardboard attached to the door to make a mold, and sprayed the expanding foam in a can to fill from concrete to door bottom. I sprayed pam on the floor to help the foam release. Then sprayed with black rubberized spray, "like flexseal". It has been on there for 3 years.

 

[gscallon]

Thanks guys for all of the responses. I'll likely either go with the sections of lath, or the more involved but more precise scribe and sand method. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[yhprum]

I have a similar problem, about 24 inches at the end. Starts at one side with about a 1/2 inch gap at the end. I cut a piece of treated lumber and it lays on the floor. I though I might have to fix it to the floor, but hasn't been a problem.
Did it mainly to keep out bugs.