As warm summer nights begin to fade away and the cool weather of fall settles in, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your garage! There is no better time than now to ensure your garage and everything contained within it are safe and ready for the winter season ahead. In this article, we discuss the process of winterizing your garage and provide some tips you may be thankful for after the first snowfall!
Preparing for Winter (and Winterizing)
The first step we always recommend before winterizing your garage is to organize it. Often garages become storage units for holiday decorations and all the gear you used for your summer vacations. To effectively winterize, it’s best to start with an organized space to eliminate the chance of any damage or missed opportunities to insulate. In addition to organizing, this is also an excellent opportunity to inspect your garage door and its components visually.
Winterize Now
It’s always better to prevent damage than to fix it, which is why we recommend winterizing at the end of summer and into fall before the first winter storm greets you. A few tips for weatherizing your garage include:
- Weatherstripping – over time, it can get brittle and break. Replace weatherstripping to ensure your contents are safe.
- Garage door inspection – as we mentioned, now is a great time to visually inspect your garage door, its cables, rollers, and associated parts. Additionally, having an expert do an annual inspection is always a good idea.
- Caulking – sometimes, the seal on doors and windows can wear over time. Re-caulk any doors/windows that may need updating.
- Seal any small openings – this is where the organizing your garage part comes in handy! If you notice any small gaps or cracks, seal them. If there are any large cracks, using epoxy can help it from getting any larger and creating further damage.
- Insulate – if there are any large spaces in your garage, insulation can help to keep the area warmer and protected from the elements in winter. You can also insulate your garage door if you haven’t already.
- Waterproofing – you can add a waterproof seal on your garage floor using a crystalline concrete agent or waterproof paint.
With proper preparation, your garage can be winterized in no time. For over 100 years, we have provided our customers with all your garage needs. If you need assistance with winterizing your garage, need replacement parts for your garage door, or have questions, we are always happy to help. Contact us today or give us a call at 800-929-3667.
