Winter-Proofing Your Garage

Matt Huculak • September 3, 2013

The temperatures have been dropping now that the peak of summer is in the past, and that means that winter will be here before you know it. If you are storing items in your garage, then you will want to weather-proof it at the same time that you go about weather-proofing the rest of the house. Allowing the moisture of winter to take hold of your garage can cause damage to your belongings that you are storing out there. Even your car will appreciate not being subject to the elements while residing cozily in your garage. Here are some tips on getting the garage ready for winter:

Give it a good cleaning

Between the dirt from the comings and goings of summer, any hardy insects that have wriggled their way in out of the cold, and the leaves and mulch that will get tracked in this fall, before winter hits, you’ll need to give your garage a good cleaning. Pull everything away from the walls and use a stiff broom to sweep out any dirt. Also, hit down any cobwebs on the walls and ceilings. You can put a water seal on a cement floor at this time to help repel moisture, if you want to.

Install weather stripping

If you close your garage door during the day while standing inside, you will probably see little pinpricks of light shining through all around the door. That’s normal, but you will want to install some weather stripping for the winter months to help keep moisture and cold air out. You can buy this in a big-box home improvement store or at your local hardware store. If you installed weather stripping last year, then check it this year to see if it needs to be replaced; over time, it can crack or chip away.

Seal the bottom of the door

You can buy a special gasket for this, or you can have a piece of foam rubber or vinyl installed on the bottom of the door. This will not only keep out drafts during the winter, but will help discourage tiny critters, particularly of the six- and eight-legged varieties, from wandering in all year long.

Take care of any cracks and holes

Some areas of your garage aren’t normally sealed. These might be around electrical outlets or the dryer vent. Go around the garage with a caulking gun and fill in any areas that are allowing cold air and moisture in.

Think about heat

Your garage doesn’t need to be heated most of the time, but if you are working out there in the winter, you’ll need some type of heater to keep you comfortable. Invest in an electric forced-air heater. The simple space heaters won’t be able to keep up with an area as large as your garage.

Don’t forget about ventilation

If you are keeping your garage heated for a good percentage of each day, you’ll need some sort of ventilation system in order to keep it dry, because heat can breed condensation, which brings you back to the moisture problem. It’s not necessary for everyone, but it’s good to keep it in mind.

Keeping your garage sealed up for the winter will help to keep your items safe from moisture and will keep you more comfortable if you decide to tackle a project in your garage. Don’t write off this space during the coldest months of the year; simply take the steps to get it ready for winter and continue to use it as much as you like.

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