How To Protect Your Garage Properly And Have It Ready For Winter

The garage is the one place that needs to be properly protected during these colder months.

19:23 25 August 2021

The garage is the one place in your home where you can store all of your winter gear, be it a snowmobile or motorcycle. It's also the one place that needs to be properly protected during these colder months. There are many steps you can take to protect your garage from water damage and freezing. The first step would be to make sure there is no ice buildup on the garage doors, which will keep them from closing tightly when they are closed again. 

 

You should also invest in a garage door insulation kit if you have an older garage door and want to make sure it doesn't crack open during those cold winters. Also, follow the other steps in this blog in order to get your garage prepared for winter!

 

Clear out the garage

Remove all objects from the garage that are not winter gear. This includes lawn equipment, tools, and other items you don't need anymore. Leave a pathway for walking through the garage as well.

 

Check for rodents before leaving the garage closed up during winter to make sure they won't come back in while the garage is unattended or unheated.

 

Wipe the garage floor clean of any dirt or debris that might be on it. You may want to sweep the garage as well or put some containment mats for snow, especially if there has been a lot of foot traffic in your garage during the fall season from kids coming and going with their equipment.

 

If you have an attached garage, make sure to also clear out and vacuum inside so pests don't come into the garage while doors are closed up. Also, you should make sure garage door seals are in good shape, and that doors fit well.

 

If you have a garage overhead garage storage system with shelves or cabinets, it's best to remove them before winter as they can easily get frosted over and wet when water leaks through the roof.

 

Put up a tarp to cover your car or other items

Cover your car with a tarp to protect it from water damage or wintertime snow build-up on the roof that can cause leaks onto the garage floor below. You'll also want to make sure there is no ice buildup at garage doors so they close tightly when closed again later in fall, during cold months.

 

Tarps also work well for those looking to store items such as lawnmowers during the winter. You can take off the tarp anytime if you need access and just put it back on after!

 

Get rid of any cardboard boxes, old furniture, or other non-used stuff

Clean the garage floor and walls with a damp cloth to remove dust. Leave an area in the garage for walking through as well so you can get things done easily during the winter months!

 

You may want to invest in garage door insulation kits if your garage is older and has gaps where air leaks out from doors when closed again after cold weather sets in. This will help keep the garage warm and unheated!

 

Use a moisture guard on the inside of garage walls to stop water from seeping in. You can also use foam sealant or caulk for this purpose as well, but make sure you follow instructions provided by your particular garage door insulation kit in order to do so correctly if applicable.

 

Stock up on winter gear such as ice scrapers and snow brushes that will help clear off dirt quickly before it freezes over onto surfaces like garage doors or cars.

 

Make sure the garage is sealed tightly. If there are any gaps, you can use caulk or foam insulation to seal them closed and protect them from cold air while winterizing your garage. This will also help keep unwanted pests out of your garage during the colder months! 

 

You'll have a cleaner garage with fewer rodent droppings when spring rolls around again in no time at all if this step is completed now rather than later. Be sure to cover any cracks as well. An easy solution for that is flexible sheet metal flashing which can be purchased at local hardware stores.

 

Plug in a space heater for cold days and nights 

You'll never have to worry about garage clutter, either! A plug-in heater is perfect because it's one less thing you need to store when winter comes around. If your garage gets too chilly at night or on the colder mornings, always be sure that there are some extra blankets nearby for those who might get chilled without proper preparation.

 

The garage should also have ample lighting like your home if it doesn't during any time of day so anyone can find what they're looking for easily and quickly. That means installing more lights as necessary so that people don't set anything down mistakenly on the floor by accident and not see its location until later - which may even result in dirtier clothes or items being tracked into the garage.

 

You may also want to consider installing a window unit air conditioner if your garage gets too hot during warmer months or simply turning on an exhaust fan when it does get uncomfortably warm in there. And make sure that no one is sitting out in the garage for long periods of time while you're tending to other chores inside - they could develop heat-related illnesses more easily than someone who had spent just five minutes outside before coming back indoors!

 

Put away your lawnmower and shovels so they won't get damaged by the snow (or stolen)

Don't forget to cover your lawnmower or any other things that are out in the garage. If they're not covered, then they may be damaged by winter's snow and ice storms as well as from thieves who might want them for themselves. Don't let anything valuable inside of your garage go unprotected!

 

It's also advisable during cold months to keep a good supply of garage door water sealant on hand so you can easily deal with any drips before they become large puddles or worse - leaks all over the flooring. This will help protect against erosion caused by heavy rains during wetter seasons while keeping mold growth at bay due to moisture buildup.

 

If you follow these steps your garage will be ready for winter and the following season. We hope this blog post gives you an idea of how to protect your property from snow, rain, and other things that can happen during the colder months. Happy Winter!