How To Keep Your Garage Floor Dry In The Winter To Prevent Property Damage

Pulling into the driveway on a cold and stormy winter day, many/most homeowners will likely want to keep warm by parking their car in the garage and entering the dry and comfort of their home as quickly as possible. Perhaps one of the last thoughts on their mind is stepping out in the cold winter air to clear any snow, ice, road salt, or gravel from the exterior and underside of the vehicle before parking it in the garage.

Because the temperature inside the garage is most likely warmer than the outside air, all of this accumulated material will melt as the car rests in the garage overnight. However, since the material cannot evaporate or dissipate on its own, it collects on the floor – and a repeat of this parking process on a daily basis, therefore, makes it difficult to keep the garage dry in the winter months.

However, it is important to maintain/dry a garage floor for several reasons, including:

• Protecting the integrity of the floor from pitting, staining, etc.
• Prohibiting property damage due to the spread of moisture
• Personal safety – to prevent slipping/falling on a wet surface

There are a number of ways to keep a garage floor dry in the winter; some of these steps are preventative/proactive in nature while others are more reactive once the wet materials/water have accumulated. These actions may consist of:

Preventative

• Inspect the exterior garage walls for cracks or possible leaks
• Ensure that there are no drainage issues along exterior walls
• Pull stored items away from interior walls – look for signs of water damage
• For sloped driveways, keep drainage/sewer grates clear of debris and ice
• Install new or replacement weather stripping around the garage door
• Properly maintain door so it closes tightly/securely along the bottom edge

Reactive

• Use a squeegee to push accumulated water/slush out of the garage
• Mop and dry the floor to soak up melted snow and ice
• Water and solid debris can be collected with a wet/dry shop vacuum
• A fan can be used to, in essence, blow-dry a garage floor
• Place old floor mats under snow blowers and shovels to contain melting
• Park vehicles on large containment mats
• Position vinyl protector strips along the wheel tracks of the vehicle
• Use cardboard along the wheel tracks (may need to replace frequently)

Short of cleaning and brushing off a vehicle before parking it in the garage, investing the time will be an integral part of maintaining this area of the home in a safe and functional manner.

Keep A Dry Garage This Winter To Prevent Unnecessary Garage Door Repairs

In addition to protecting the integrity of your garage floor and your personal property, homeowners will need to safeguard the garage door itself against damage from accumulated water, ice, and salt.

When these materials are allowed to migrate and accumulate near the base of the door, several types of structural or mechanical issues may occur, such as:

• Water damage to the base of a wooden door
• Door lifting/misalignment due to ice formation
• Salt can lead to corrosion of tracks/cables/rollers
• The door may not close or lock properly
• Negative impact on spring tension or automatic opener

Should any such situations be encountered throughout the winter, garage door repair professionals like Markham Garage Doors can address and rectify the problems quickly and efficiently. Our team can schedule service visits at your convenience or with a same-day response, depending on the extent of the damage to your door.

If you are concerned or suspect that your garage door has suffered damage from water, ice, or salt accumulation, call the specialists at Markham Garage Doors today at either (905) 472-9178 or (416) 570-3667 to book your no-obligation consultation.