Usually, homes are built to last, especially against a variety of weather conditions. Since a good percentage of the United States will usually experience various weather conditions through all four seasons, most contractors and architects have to use versatile and sturdy materials to ensure that your home is both comfortable and safe. However, the fluctuation of temperatures can compromise the general structural integrity of your home, especially during colder seasons like winter.
That said, many homeowners will need to ensure that each area of their home is protected and secure from cold weather conditions, ice dams, and freezing temperatures. Most experts would suggest having a pre-winter checklist. After all, the best time to prepare for the winter season is weeks to months prior to snowfall.
Other than your home’s main entrance, the garage is known for being one of the busiest areas of the house, with most foot traffic zooming in and out of the area. Common knowledge would tell us that most areas that will have a large entryway can be a corridor used by low temperatures to penetrate your home’s internal temperatures. This means that the garage is the prime staging area where cold temperatures can get inside your home if you’re not too careful, especially in homes that have a large opening for vehicles.
What are some preparations that need to be done during the winter season to keep the garage in pristine condition? What factors should you be mindful of? Here’s what you’ll need to know.
Consider Your Garage Door
We’ll need to consider your garage’s entrance since this will play a role in insulating much of your garage from the elements. Whether it’s high winds, heavy rain, freezing from snow, or hailstorms, your garage door will play an integral role in protecting your prized vehicles from nature.
The first thing that you’ll need to be mindful of is if there are erosion and weather stripping around the door. You’ll need to make sure that it isn’t cracked since water and moisture can seep through these nooks and crannies. Although water damage might seem like a non-issue, this can slowly chip away at the supporting structures of your garage and your home’s foundations.
Although most individuals are keen on the overall integrity of their garage, it’s also important to ensure that your garage door’s moving parts won’t freeze or get stuck during low temperatures. You might want to place lubricants on these moving parts. Next, you’ll need to ensure all the tools and equipment that’s present in your garage are kept in safe and secure areas. Sometimes, loose and frayed cables can cause damages.
If you think that your garage door is already at the end of its lifespan, you might want to consider having it replaced with a higher-quality and sleeker garage door. Fortunately, there is a company known for its durable and versatile garage doors that are also offering garage door installation services. Although it might be a significant investment, it’s way better than letting the natural elements get inside your garage. Can you imagine the thousands of dollars you’ll need to pay in repairs if your car or your house gets subjected to the elements?
Insulating the Walls
In order to cut down on monthly expenses on energy and utility bills while also keeping the temperature stable, walls around your home and your garage should be insulated. Having insulated walls can help keep the environment controlled, which can help retain warm air and keep low temperatures out.
Insulated walls can also give opportunities for homeowners to install new HVAC systems in the form of a central heating system that can help with keeping temperatures high inside your home.
But right before you start adding a bit of insulation to your garage’s walls, you’ll need to ensure that there are no cracks that could leak out the heat. If you start noticing spaces on the flooring or the wall, you’ll need to seal them immediately. You might also want to inspect windows so that you’ll find gaps.
Keep on Shoveling
Lastly, you’ll need to keep on shoveling to ensure that snow is kept away from the vicinity of your home. After all, your garage is a safe haven for your vehicles, and having a clear path from your garage to the road can ensure that there are no damages done to both your car and the home’s structure.
There are a variety of ways to prepare your home and your garage for the winter season. Most homes are vulnerable to cold weather conditions, so it’s best to invest in sound insulation, heating, and building materials that can keep you comfortable throughout winter.