Identifying garage door gaps is the first step in adjusting them. Significant gaps are more visible, especially if they appear at the bottom of your garage door. Small cracks and those at the top and sides of your door can be more difficult to spot. Your garage door may have a hidden gap if you notice that:

• Wind and water are leaking through: Gaps in your garage door can let the elements inside. Moisture from rain and snow may reach your storage area and damage the structure of your garage over time. Wind in your garage can decrease the temperature and increase your utility bills, especially during the winter months.
• You hear noise from outside: Sounds from the street can also leak in through gaps in your garage door. You might not notice or mind if you only use your garage for parking or storage, but excess sound can be distracting if your garage functions as a workspace.
• There are pests in the garage: Pests like mice and insects will often enter your garage through cracks in the door. Once they make a home inside, they can damage any belongings you have in storage. If you have an attached garage, pests may even find an entry point to the rest of your home.

One of the simplest ways to find a garage door gap is by turning the lights off during the daytime and scanning the edges of the door for any cracks of sunlight. You can also run your hand along the edges to feel for drafts that could indicate gaps.

Gaps on the sides of your garage door may stem from an issue with the stops. You can find these rubber trimmings along the length of your garage door, and you may need to replace them from time to time. As a short-term fix, you could fill in any small cracks in the garage door stops with caulk.

Bent or misaligned garage door tracks also lead to side gaps. If the tracks aren’t parallel, it’s best to find a garage door expert to realign them safely and adjust the garage door gap.