If you’re dealing with garage condensation, you’re not the only one: it’s a common problem that most garage owners face at one point or another. However, unless promptly dealt with, condensation can damage both the contents of your garage and the building itself. To help you, we’ve put together this handy guide with 11 simple tips on how to stop garage condensation.
Garage condensation is caused by warm, moist air making contact with cold surfaces. When this warm air cools down, it releases moisture in the form of water droplets which can then build up on surfaces throughout the garage.
Some of the most common causes of garage condensation include:
- Lack of ventilation: If air gets trapped inside your garage with nowhere to escape, humidity levels rise (especially after rain).
- Temperature differences: If your garage isn’t insulated properly, the temperature may tend to change more drastically and lead to condensation.
- Moisture from vehicles: Wet cars, bikes, or even tools introduce moisture that evaporates and settles on cold surfaces.
- Water leaks: Rainwater entering under the garage door adds to moisture levels in your garage.
- Poor sealing: If there are any gaps around your door or your door isn’t well sealed, damp air is likely coming in from the outside.
Keep in mind that the humid weather typical for the UK can exacerbate all of these conditions and contribute to even more moisture buildup in your garage.
There are several simple, actionable steps you can take to significantly reduce garage condensation and protect the structure and your belongings. Here are our top 11 tips on how to stop garage condensation:
Proper garage ventilation can have a big impact on reducing condensation. By encouraging good airflow, it will prevent moist air from becoming trapped and settling on surfaces. It’ll also help balance the temperature difference between the inside and outside of your garage.
If parking a wet car or bike in your garage, make sure to give it a quick wipe-down so it doesn’t introduce extra moisture. We also recommend you do this with any damp tools or equipment you may bring in.
Even better, if you have enough space, you can leave wet items to dry off outside/under a covered area before moving them in the garage.
A garage dehumidifier constantly draws in damp air, retains the moisture and releases dry air into your space. Dehumidifiers are quite powerful and can make a big difference if you’re looking to reduce garage condensation.
For a more budget-friendly alternative of a garage dehumidifier, you can try moisture traps. They’re designed to absorb moisture from the air, typically using crystals or other drying agents. While not as powerful as dehumidifiers, they still do a good job at keeping smaller garages drier over time.
Using a garage heater during colder months will help maintain a more stable temperature and suppress condensation. Make sure not to use a propane or kerosene heater, however, as these can release carbon monoxide, which is very dangerous in an enclosed space.
Try to inspect your garage drainage system once every few months and remove any debris that may be preventing water from draining properly. Drainage that works well can go a long way in reducing moisture as it’ll help prevent leaks into the garage space.
Carefully check the garage walls for any cracks or gaps as those can allow moisture to seep through. If you find any, you can use a concrete sealant or filler to block them.
On especially humid or rainy days, try to keep the garage door closed as much as possible. Unless you’re intentionally airing out the garage, leaving the door open can let damp air inside where it will then settle and condense.
Many garages aren’t properly insulated which can lead to various issues, increased condensation being among those. Consider insulating the garage walls and ceiling using fiberglass batts or spray foam, for example. Door insulation in particular can make an especially big difference when trying to stop garage condensation.
Vapour barriers are most commonly used on garage walls as part of insulation, but you can also use them to cover the floor. The only area it’s not a good idea to use it in is the ceiling as in that case it can actually trap vapour in the garage.
Installing a threshold garage door seal is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to stop garage condensation. This type of seal creates a raised barrier between the floor and the bottom of the door which prevents damp air and/or rain water from entering and increasing moisture levels.
You can easily fit it yourself using a specialised fixing adhesive to glue it to the floor. Take a look at our detailed fitting guides to find out exactly how to do this. If it’s your first time installing a threshold seal, getting yourself a garage door seal kit would be helpful as it contains everything you need to apply the seal.
To stop garage floor condensation, consider sealing the floor using either a penetrating concrete sealer or epoxy coating. These create a barrier over the floor surface which prevents moisture from seeping into the concrete. A quality garage door bottom seal can also significantly reduce garage floor condensation.
To stop garage roof condensation, you can install ridge/turbine vents or extraction fans to improve the air circulation so moisture is removed more effectively. Alongside this, consider using insulation boards on the roof as this can help balance temperature differences (or use bubble wrap for a budget-friendlier alternative).
Garage condensation may not seem like too big of an issue initially, but the truth is that it can have various negative effects on both the personal items you store in the garage and the building itself.
Moisture creates rust, so unless condensation is dealt with, any equipment kept in your garage as well as metal storage cabinets and even your vehicle will rust much more quickly. What’s more, mould and mildew caused by garage condensation are dangerous for your health. In fact, according to a report by the UK Health Security Agency, damp and/or mould is associated with developing various respiratory issues.
If left unmanaged for long enough, condensation can also lead to structural damage to the building. For example, it can cause wood to rot, weakening the structure of the garage and putting its integrity at risk.
Stormstop garage door seals are a great solution to stop garage condensation and preserve your space and belongings from moisture damage. Seals help close the small gaps underneath your garage door, maintaining a more stable temperature and preventing rain water from coming in. There are various garage door bottom seal options to consider:
- Brush Strip Garage Door Seals
Not sure which type of garage door seal is right for you? Simply get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions!
