2026-03-29 6 min read
Artesia sits in the heart of Los Angeles County, and while the weather here is generally mild compared to most of the country, it's not as forgiving as people assume. Summer days regularly push into the upper 70s with low humidity that can crack rubber and dry out seals faster than you'd expect. Then come the winter rain events. when moisture rolls in and temperatures drop to the upper 40s overnight. and suddenly every gap in your garage door's perimeter becomes a problem. If you've never paid much attention to your weather seal, now is a good time to start.
The weather seal (sometimes called weatherstripping) is the rubber or vinyl strip that runs along the bottom and sides of your garage door. Its job is straightforward: keep the outside out. That means blocking rain, wind, dust, pests, and outside air from getting into your garage. In a city like Artesia. where many homes are older single-family properties built in the post-WWII residential boom of the 1950s and 60s. original seals may have been in place for decades.
A seal that's doing its job means a drier garage floor during our winter rainy periods, fewer pests, lower dust accumulation, and better temperature control inside the space. For homeowners who use their garage as a workshop, gym, or extra storage area, a failing seal can quietly cause real damage over time.
Southern California's sun is the biggest enemy of rubber seals. Extended UV exposure causes weatherstripping to become brittle, cracked, and flaky. Install new weather stripping if the old one shows any of these characteristics. brittleness and cracking are classic signs of UV damage. The intense summer sun we get in this part of Los Angeles County accelerates this process, particularly on garage doors that face south or west.
During the wetter months, a compromised seal creates a different problem. A solid weather strip will block water from seeping under the garage door, but if there are streams of water or puddles inside after rain and the door is closed, the seal is likely compromised. Water intrusion in a garage can lead to mold growth, rust on stored items, and damage to the floor finish.
In communities near Artesia. like Cerritos and Lakewood. homeowners deal with the same climate dynamics, and the pattern of weather seal failure is consistent across the region.
Get down and look at your bottom seal. A worn weatherstrip may be dried out or more rigid than you'd expect of a rubber component. Discoloration is also a sign of wear, as is any section of the strip that's drooping, torn, or missing entirely. If any section is gone, outside air, rain, and pests have a direct entry point.
Close your garage door completely, then stand inside with the lights off. If you can see daylight coming in around the edges or along the bottom, the seal isn't doing its job. Even small gaps are enough to let insects in and allow conditioned air to escape.
After any significant rainfall, check for moisture just inside your garage door. Even a thin film of water along the bottom edge is a sign the seal has failed. Left unaddressed, this can cause long-term concrete staining, rust, and potentially attract pests looking for water.
If you're noticing more grit and dust accumulating inside your garage than usual. especially near the door. air is getting in through gaps in the seal. This is especially noticeable in Artesia during dry, windy Santa Ana conditions in the fall and early winter.
Bottom seals are the most commonly replaced component and are a relatively affordable fix. Side and top seals. sometimes called stop molding or door stops. can also degrade but tend to last longer than the bottom seal because they experience less abrasion.
For a full picture of what routine upkeep should include, see our services page. weather seal replacement is part of a broader maintenance check that can catch multiple issues in one visit.
Replacing a bottom seal is something some mechanically inclined homeowners tackle on their own. The seal typically slides into a retainer track at the base of the door. However, if the retainer itself is bent or corroded. common on older Artesia homes with original aluminum doors. the whole assembly may need to be replaced, which is better left to a professional.
To extend the life of your seal, rinse the bottom of your garage door occasionally to remove dirt and grit that can abrade the rubber. Avoid using harsh degreasers or petroleum-based products on the seal itself, as these accelerate deterioration. A silicone-based spray lubricant applied to the seal once or twice a year helps keep it pliable and resistant to cracking.
For everything else. rollers, hinges, springs, and opener systems. our team at Garage Door Artesia recommends a routine inspection once a year. You can review common maintenance questions on our FAQ page or get in touch to book a visit.
Taking care of your weather seal is one of those small maintenance tasks that pays back well beyond what it costs. It keeps your garage dry, clean, and secure. and in an older housing market like Artesia's, that kind of proactive upkeep goes a long way toward protecting your home's value.
Q: How often should a garage door weather seal be replaced in Southern California? A: In the LA area, expect to replace your bottom seal every 3,5 years due to UV exposure and heat. If you're seeing visible cracking or light coming through, don't wait. replace it sooner regardless of age.
Q: Can a damaged weather seal attract pests? A: Absolutely. Even a small gap at the bottom of the door is enough for ants, mice, and other pests to enter. A tight, intact seal is one of your first lines of defense against unwanted visitors in the garage.
Q: Is weather seal replacement something I need a professional for? A: For a basic bottom seal replacement, many homeowners can handle it themselves if the retainer track is in good shape. However, if your door is older or the hardware is corroded, it's worth having a professional assess the full seal system to avoid a quick fix that doesn't hold.