Garage mould is one of the most common issues faced by garage owners and yet many people aren’t aware there are actually some easy steps you can take to prevent it before it causes structural damage or health issues. We’ve put this guide together to give you some of our top tips on how to prevent mould in a garage.
Garage mould is typically caused by multiple factors that combine together and create favourable conditions for it including:
- Moisture and humidity
- Lack of light
- Poor ventilation
- Organic materials for moisture to feed on
- Frequently opened doors and windows bringing in spores
- Lack of insulation and poor sealing
Dark spaces with poor ventilation cause moisture from vehicles and leaks or humidity to get trapped. If you store any cardboard boxes or wood in your garage, or even drywall, these are all organic materials that moisture can feed on, especially if doors and windows are frequently opened which increases the likelihood of spores being brought in.
If your garage isn’t properly insulated and sealed, this also contributes to moisture accumulation and can lead to mould forming.
Here are our top 7 tips on how to prevent mould in a garage and avoid jeopardising your health and your space:
Mould thrives in dark, damp places. Letting in as much natural light as possible will help for two reasons: first, light provides UV rays which are germicidal. Second, adding heat will help maintain the space as dry as possible.
To increase natural light, or to ‘trap’ existing light better, consider painting the walls a light colour and installing mirrors. These will help bounce light back into the garage. Keeping windows clean and removing any outdoor clutter / overgrown shrubs can also make a big difference to the amount of light that enters the space.
Mould needs moisture to form. If you minimise humidity and condensation in your garage, it won’t be able to. This is why things like using a dehumidifier, moisture traps and vapour barriers and drying off any stored vehicles and equipment is key when you’re looking to prevent mould in the garage.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can reduce condensation in your garage, feel free to have a look at our dedicated blog on the topic here.
Good ventilation helps remove moist air and disrupts the stagnant conditions that mould needs to form and grow which is why it’s a good idea to check whether your ventilation system works properly. If you’d like to upgrade it or don’t have one installed yet, simple passive vents or exhaust fans can make a big difference.
If you use any cardboard boxes for storage or wooden shelves, these will increase the likelihood of garage mould forming as mould feeds on organic matter. If possible, it’s worth replacing these with plastic containers / metal shelving, etc.
If you’re not able to replace these, try raising any items made of organic matter off the floor to improve air circulation around them and stop them from absorbing any moisture from the floor.
Using waterproof paint will stop moisture from seeping into the walls and mould from forming. Walls are one of the most common spots in your garage where you might notice mould as humidity and condensation often stick to them.
If your garage isn’t properly insulated (or at all), this will be a huge contributor to mold potentially forming. You can use fiberglass bats or spray foam to insulate it and reduce the amount of humidity coming into the space.
The one thing that can make the biggest difference when you’re trying to prevent mould in the garage is installing a good garage door seal. The gap underneath your garage door is where most of the unwanted moisture ingress happens and if your seal is worn out or missing altogether, humidity will seep through.
A quality garage door seal is one of the most effective ways to stop moisture from entering and forming garage mould.
Yes, mold in the garage can be incredibly dangerous, not only to the structural integrity of the garage itself but to your health. In fact, according to official guidance on the gov.uk website, damp and mould can cause serious illness including severe respiratory conditions, especially in children and older adults and they can even affect your mental health negatively.
That’s why preventing garage mould is not only a way to take care of your space but also of yourself and your loved ones who use it.
Garage door seals from Stormstop are a fantastic solution to keep your space and belongings mould-free. There are multiple types of door seals to consider if you’re looking to stop mould in a garage:
- Brush Strip Garage Door Seals: Reduce draughts / airflow gaps that allow damp air into the garage and limit build-up of humidity
- Rubber Seals: Create a barrier against rain and stop wind-driven rain seeping in and improve thermal insulation
- Threshold Seals: Prevent water pooling and seepage under the door, particularly good for garages with slight slopes / uneven floors
- Roller Shutter Seals: Seal the edges of rolled doors (common moisture entry points) and limit dust / debris that can trap moisture and encourage mould spores
- Garage Door Multi Seals: Provide all-round sealing for larger / uneven gaps, help create a controlled internal environment for long-term mould prevention
If you’re not sure which type of garage door seal is best for you, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to answer your questions!
