Sealing Garage Door Panels

[TurboEuro88]

Wasn't exactly sure how to title this thread so bear with me as I try to explain this.

Looking for input and suggestions on how I can add some kind of weatherstripping to the joints between the garage door panels to prevent water from collecting between the panels. My garage door is a standard double-wide style door that unfortunately faces the predominantly windward side of the structure. This means that anytime there's a driving rain, the door gets pounded and thus causes water to collect in the joints. This water will then seep through the joints in the panels and drip onto my cars when I open the garage door, leaving some unsightly water spots to clean. While the door is older and is not insulated (booooo, I know), it's still in otherwise good physical condition so I am not looking to replace the entire door assembly. It's realistically cost-prohibitive to do that so I am ideally looking for a more affordable solution.

Anyone have suggestions or recommendations they can offer on how to solve this problem? I've thought about getting some 1/4" foam strips to put inbetween the panels but wasn't sure if that would actually work. Hoping there's something I can do/buy that will work!

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

The foam strips may work, but they may stick to both sides when you go to open it. I would first look at how big a gap, if any, you have when the door is closed. If you have noticeable gaps, you may be able to close them up a bit. From inside the garage, with the door closed, you will see ( on most doors) the hinges are held on with 4 screws. The holes in the top half of the hinge are slotted. You can loosen, not remove, all the top screws across one section of the door. Spring tension trying to pull the door up will move the panels together if there was any room. Tighten those screws and move to the next panel. Don't overtighten the screws. Snug is good or you take the chance of stripping them. They are only in sheetmetal. Good luck.

 

[TurboEuro88]

I'll doublecheck but I think the gaps are pretty tight, at least in that I don't see daylight through them. Can't hurt to check them though. I was hoping something to "fill" the seam when the door is down would work but having difficulty finding anything that does that job. I know I need to re-adjust or replace my tension springs since the door doesn't get much lift assistance via the spring right now, but that's a job for another day.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

There are two styles of joints. Ship lap and tongue and groove. You will not be able to see through them but both will collect water. There is a seal made that might work for you. It looks like a long straw that has adhesive on one side. It's rubber, not foam. Hollow tube? Ace might have it. But with the textured surface of the door, adhesion may be difficult. Only one way to find out.