Weatherproofing Your Garage Door for Jamaica's Tropical Climate
Jamaica's weather delivers a unique combination of challenges for garage door systems. Torrential rain during the wet season, persistent humidity year-round, intense UV exposure, and the ever-present threat of tropical storms all conspire to degrade your garage door and compromise the seal that protects your belongings. Proper weatherproofing is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
Bottom Seal: Your First Line of Defense
The bottom seal, also called the astragal, is the rubber or vinyl strip that runs along the bottom edge of your garage door, making contact with the garage floor when the door is closed. Over time, UV radiation causes the seal to crack and harden, and the constant compression deforms it, creating gaps where water streams in during heavy rain. Inspect your bottom seal every six months and replace it as soon as you notice visible daylight between the seal and the floor. T-style seals that slot into an aluminum retainer channel are easier to replace than wrap-around seals that require removing the bottom panel.
Side and Top Weatherstripping
The weatherstripping along the sides and top of the door frame creates a compression seal when the door is closed. These strips are typically made from PVC or rubber and are screwed or nailed to the door frame. In Jamaica's climate, they degrade faster than in temperate environments, with sun-exposed sides failing first. Check for gaps by standing inside the closed garage during daylight and looking for visible light around the edges. Even small gaps can allow wind-driven rain to penetrate during a storm.
Threshold Seals for Floor Gaps
If your garage floor slopes away from the door or has settled over time, creating a gap that the bottom seal cannot bridge, a threshold seal is the solution. This is a raised rubber strip bonded to the garage floor with construction adhesive, providing a higher surface for the bottom seal to press against. Threshold seals are particularly effective in Jamaica where many garage aprons have developed cracks or settling that create water entry pathways.
Addressing Drainage Issues
Weatherproofing your garage door is only effective if water has somewhere to go. Ensure the apron in front of your garage slopes away from the door and that any drainage channels or trench drains are clear of debris. During Jamaica's rainy season, a single blocked drain can redirect thousands of liters of water toward your garage opening. Installing a French drain or channel drain across the front of the garage is a worthwhile investment for properties in low-lying areas.
Storm Preparation
Before hurricane season each June, inspect all weatherproofing components and replace anything that is worn. Verify that your door's wind load rating is appropriate for your parish's exposure level. For older doors that do not meet current wind resistance standards, horizontal bracing kits can be installed to reinforce the panels against wind pressure. Keep a supply of replacement seals and weatherstripping on hand, as these items can be difficult to source in Jamaica immediately after a major storm.
