Wet garage walls are quite a common issue that’s frequently faced by garage owners, especially in autumn and winter. Perhaps you’re not necessarily having garage flooding or any serious accumulation of water, but you’re still noticing the garage walls are wet after rain or on especially humid days. We’ve put together this guide to help you find out why this may be happening and how to prevent it.
There are various circumstances that may be causing wet garage walls, often the reason is a combination of multiple factors. We’ll talk you through a few below:
Depending on the material of your garage roof, it may be more or less prone to leaks. Make sure to take a good look at it and whether there are any gaps or cracks as a leaking garage roof may be the underlying cause, or one of the underlying causes for your wet garage walls.
Cracks in the garage walls or the door may be letting dampness seep through and cling to the walls, hence why you’re getting wet garage walls.
Have you cleaned out the garage’s drainpipes recently? If not, blockages could be causing overflow to pour down the walls and seep through instead of being directed away from the garage.
Moisture from your car, poor sealing, water leaks, etc. could be causing garage condensation, which may be why you’re noticing wet garage walls. To learn more about how to prevent this, feel free to take a look at our dedicated blog on how to stop garage condensation here.
Garage wall expansion gaps are the spaces in between garage slabs intentionally left to allow for the concrete to expand or contract during temperature changes. This is normally done to prevent cracking. If those gaps are not properly filled with flexible sealant / filler, however, they may be allowing water to seep through.
Whether you’re looking to prevent moisture on your garage walls during the autumn and winter months or you’ve already noticed some dampness and are looking for ways to stop it from occurring, the key is to address this quickly. Here are our top tips on how to prevent wet garage walls:
Whether you’ve already noticed moisture or simply looking to prevent it, the first step would be to identify where it’s seeping through / which areas of the garage could become an issue. Take a look above at the potential reasons for wet garage walls we’ve listed. Make sure to check the drain pipes, look for any cracks or gaps and see whether you’re having excess garage condensation.
Cleaning out the gutters regularly and making sure they’re free of debris will help direct water away from your garage when it’s raining.
Improving your ventilation system can make a world of difference if you’re struggling with condensation in your garage and looking to prevent wet garage walls. There are many options to choose from that will help you get some air movement:
- Powered fans (exhaust, ceiling or floor)
- Passive vents (roof, gable, soffit or garage door vents)
- Opening windows and doors from time to time to air out the space
As we mentioned earlier, cracks in the garage walls, ceiling or door may be letting moisture in. Check if there are such cracks and if you find any, seal them. This is usually something you’d be able to complete yourself unless there’s a lot of structural damage. You can use caulk or for larger gaps, you can also use an insulating foam sealant.
One of the best (and inexpensive) ways to prevent wet garage walls is to install a quality threshold garage door seal. A good threshold seal will create a tight barrier between the floor and the garage door which will stop damp air and water from entering. To seal your garage door even further, you can also apply weatherstripping along the sides.
If your garage walls are getting wet after rain or in humid weather, the first way to address this would be to invest in a good quality garage door threshold seal. Most garage doors aren’t perfectly even which means when you close the door, there will likely be gaps underneath. The right garage door seal will make a huge difference when it comes to keeping unwanted moisture out.
At Stormstop, we offer garage door threshold seals in various sizes to help you find the one that best fits your door:
- 15mm Garage Door Bottom Seal
- 20mm Garage Door Bottom Seal
- 25mm Garage Door Bottom Seal
- 30mm Garage Door Bottom Seal
- 35mm Garage Door Bottom Seal
- 40mm Garage Door Bottom Seal
- 50mm Garage Door Bottom Seal
- 75mm Garage Door Bottom Seal
To find the right garage door bottom seal to keep dampness out and prevent wet garage walls, measure the gaps at the bottom of your garage door beforehand. This will help you make sure the seal you choose forms a tight gap with the floor.
Installation is easy to complete yourself. If it’s your first time installing a garage door seal, you might find it helpful to get yourself a garage door seal kit as it contains everything you need to fit the seal. If you need any help with the process, feel free to take a look at our step-by-step fitting guides here.
Wet garage walls can cause an array of unpleasantness such as concrete deterioration and rust. However they can also become the reason behind more serious problems like structural damage to your garage, damage to any equipment/vehicles you store there and even health issues if you regularly spend time in the space. In fact, according to guidance from gov.uk on the health risks of damp and mould, their respiratory effects can cause serious illness.
Because of all of this, it’s really important to address wet garage walls as soon as possible.
If you need any additional advice on preventing wet garage walls and sealing your garage door to protect your space from dampness or mould, please get in touch with the StormStop team. We’ll be happy to discuss your situation and recommend the most suitable products for your needs. If you prefer, fill out our contact form below and we’ll be in touch shortly!
