How to Winterize Your Garage

Now that November is here, winter is just around the corner. It’s hard to ever feel fully prepared for the onslaught of snow, ice, slush and freezing temperatures, but the more you plan ahead, the easier it is to deal with when it arrives. There are many areas of your home that need to be prepped for winter, and winterizing your garage shoould always be on the list!

In today’s blog post, we’ll share our top recommendations for how to winterize a garage.

Weatherize doors and windows. One of the easiest ways to keep cold air out of your garage is to replace any cracked weather-stripping, making sure that a tight seal forms when entry doors are closed. We also recommend scraping cracked caulking from your windows and re-filling any gaps. Once these tasks are complete, check your work by holding the flame from a lighter or match near the seals. If the flame moves, that means air is still coming in.

Insulate your garage walls. This certainly isn’t necessary for every homeowner, but if you plan to use your garage as a workspace this winter, you’ll be glad you did it. By adding insulation to your garage walls, you can create a controlled environment that’ll stay mild on its own or even warmer with the use of a space heater. As an added bonus, insulating your garage walls can help you save on utility bills and even prevent pipes from freezing.

Refinish your garage floor. A smooth garage floor can be dangerous combined with all the moisture that accumulates on the bottoms of your shoes during the winter. It’s a prime condition for slipping and falling. One way to prevent this is to refinish your garage floor with a no-slip coating of epoxy or liquid stone. This is especially recommended if there are elderly people or young children living in the home.

Winterize garage items. Different categories of items that you store in the garage require their own unique preparation for winter. Be sure not to overlook this. Liquids and chemicals should be kept at a certain temperature so that they don’t freeze. Metal tools should be protected from moisture so that they don’t rust. Taking the time to do this in the beginning of the season will be beneficial in the long-run.

Inspect your garage door. Now is a good time to inspect your garage door for any obvious signs of damage or wear and tear. It’s always smart to have those issues resolved before the snow comes. If you’re insulating your garage walls, you can also insulate the garage door while you’re at it. Don’t feel comfortable inspecting your garage door yourself? No problem! At Champion Overhead Door, we’re standing by ready to assist with any garage door services you may need as you prepare for winter. Contact us today to learn more about the residential and commercial services we provide to customers in parts of Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.