One amenity that has gained popularity with homebuyers of late is the garage. While once a neglected space excluded from a home’s overall aesthetics, a garage may be created or transformed into whatever functional space you may require or desire.
You can utilize your garage as a superb space, no matter if you would like for garage builders to include a game room, a yoga studio, a workspace, or a space in which you may organize your collectibles or crafts. One major drawback is that of potential moisture issues which can rapidly bring this dream crashing down.
A couple of solutions garage builders are familiar with may be followed to ensure you do not develop problems with moisture in your garage. Continue below to discover the ways in which you may repair and even prevent the development of moisture issues inside your garage.
Moisture Entering Through Your Floor
Certain people have observed moistness or dampness in their garage floor all the time, specifically during or after rain. One of two issues can have this effect. It could be a temperature fluctuation problem if you observe moisture accumulation during specific seasons.
For instance, any garage’s concrete slab naturally tends to be cold. During summer or springtime, as air begins to warm a bit, temperatures can interact with the slab’s coldness. As the ground tends to be a bit colder during these times, both temperatures can mix and create a vapor on your slab. In humid periods like summer and spring, the moisture may be additionally obvious.
You might wish to turn on the heat during those moments which allows both the air and the slab to warm up a bit, as a method that can prevent this problem. By doing so, there will be less cold air blending with the warm temperatures of the air outside, resulting in lower levels of moisture.
As summer and spring temperatures (humid and warm) are generally difficult to predict, it is also possible to add a coating that is non-slip to your garage floor in order to ensure that no one slip on the damp floor and hurts themselves. Lack of installation of a vapor barrier in the floor when it was originally poured is another possible cause of floor moisture. In this case, the moisture may come directly from the ground, seeping through and creating puddles.
Any water allowed to puddle may result in mold or mildew. Sealers and paint will not properly stick to your floor in the absence of a vapor barrier. In cases where a vapor barrier was never installed, it is possible to add a vapor barrier and repour concrete over it or even to repour the whole slab altogether.
At this point, if you still feel like there is moisture on your floor, it may result from precipitation or rain which has run off your car’s tires. Using a rag to wipe water coming from your tires is a way to attempt to prevent moisture from your car. Not only does this prevent mold and mildew, it also reduces unpleasant odors that may come from puddles. Some people like to have a freezer or refrigerator in the garage, which can also cause moisture. As freezer or refrigerator temperatures likely differ from the floor, ground, or outside air temperatures, moisture could develop.
Additionally, certain freezers and refrigerators tend to leak a bit of water underneath them. You might not instantly observe the water exiting them, which makes it crucial to move your freezer or fridge out a bit from where it is installed in order to check for drips or puddles.
Moisture Entering Through the Door of your Garage
A crucial component of any garage door is weatherstripping, moreso if the area in which you live experiences frequent snow or rain. The very first barrier between the outside air and your garage is your garage door. The tiniest of dents or cracks may even end with water entering from outside.
Luckily, weatherstripping is a simple fix that is available for purchase in the majority of hardware stores. Instead of hiring a professional, DIY it by installing along the bottom and top of your garage door. You will likely require a garage door sop with a built-in sealing lip as well as some caulk.
Inspect your garage door’s bottom trim as part of a crucial prevention method, specifically if your garage door is wooden. As wood tends to warp and may change size after exposure to fluctuations in temperature, wood may rot and cracks may form.
Prior to replacing the seal at the bottom, ensure that you properly clean the bottom door, removing all debris and dirt, to allow for a seal that is tight. In the case of wooden doors, you should ensure that a wood sealer has been applied prior to replacing the bottom seal.
Moisture Entering Through your Windows
Certain garages contain windows, allowing the entrance of natural light and fresh air. Routinely opening these windows helps with the circulation of air and also hinders garage moisture from creating mildew. When you observe any moisture around your windows, be certain that your window seals are not broken.
It is possible that glass appears warped or foggy when you are standing several feet away. To prevent mold, have a rag on hand in order to wipe any condensation that forms on your windows. You may notice the glass looks foggy or even warped if you stand a few feet away. Be sure to hire a qualified expert for the installation of window seals and windows to ensure they are just right from the get-go.
If your garage does not contain windows, although they are not perfect, vents and fans can assist in the circulation of air. This is a space that you can transform into anything, like a workspace in which you can wash, wax, and keep vehicles, to an exercise space. It no longer needs to simply be the place where you store old tools and sporting equipment.
However, moisture can be a major problem that causes damage. Any time you observe moisture entering by way of the garage door, windows or floor, follow the previously mentioned steps to verify and repair them. This will assist in maintaining a home and garage that are safer and cleaner.
Obtain a New Garage
In certain cases, moisture issues can be a bit overwhelming. Take all of the costs into consideration as far as repairing or sealing your existing garage. Your ideal action plan should be for a detached garage built to properly stand up against moisture, snow, and winds 365 days a year.