Things going moldy in garage can be destructive. Garage mold can affect your tools and can also integrity of the garage structure. When it comes to mold control, it is always a good idea to start by identifying the cause of the problem. The growth of mold is accelerated by dampness or stagnant water. Once you identify the problem areas, it becomes easy to treat the problem and save your garage from damage.
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What causes mold in the garage?
Cracks on the concrete floor
Cracks on the concrete floor can cause mold in the garage. Fix garage floor cracks to avoid water from sipping into the cracks. Concrete is a porous material, and it tends to suck up all the liquid. It takes some time for water between the concrete cracks to dry up. The accumulated water between the cracks promotes a good breeding ground for the growth of mold.
Plumbing accidents
Plumbing accidents are also likely to cause mold in your garage. If you have water pipes passing through the ceiling, wall, or floors, plumbing accidents are likely to occur. Sometimes the water pipes on the walls start leaking water into the walls. By the time you know it, mold has grown on the entire garage wall. If you have some water pipes running anywhere in the garage, you are likely to experience some mold if you are not very careful.
Poor ventilation
A big contributor to the mold in the garage is poor ventilation. If you do not allow proper circulation of air in the garage, do not be surprised if you start experiencing mold. With poor ventilation, it takes a lot of time for water to dry out from the garage. The accumulated moisture stays for too long, causing mold to start growing in the garage.
Garage flooding
Flooding in the garage can later lead to the growth of mold. After garage flooding, it becomes difficult to remove all the water accumulated in the garage. By the time all water dries out from the garage, you will start noticing the water accumulation of mold on the walls and floor.
High humidity areas
Some areas are more prone to garage mold. If you live in a high humidity area, you will notice that your garage is prone to mold. When the temperature rises and drops suddenly, it creates condensation in the garage. Condensation on the garage floor can contribute to the growth of mold.
How to prevent things going moldy in garage
1. Waterproof your garage
The first step is to waterproof the building. Making the building waterproof can go a long way in preventing the growth of mold. Waterproofing the garage does not have to be expensive. Here are some DIY projects that can help you to waterproof your garage:
Seal the garage floor
Sealing your garage floor can go a long way in waterproofing your garage. If you have a concrete floor, it is time to seal the garage floor. Sealing the garage floor will prevent water from going into the concrete cracks leading to the growth of mold. We have a variety of concrete sealers available in the market, and you can do the sealing on your own. If you are looking for a long time solution for sealing the floor, using epoxy is a good idea. Epoxy garage flooring is durable and does not hold water.
Use mold-resistant paint
Using mold-resistant paint is always a good idea. If you want to prevent mold on your garage walls and ceiling, make sure that you use mold resistant. You can apply this paint on the garage walls and ceiling so that water does not penetrate into the walls. The best thing is that you can buy the paint and apply it on your own without hiring a professional. Before you use paint on the walls or ceiling, make sure that you have removed any mold already in the walls. Painting over mold will not prevent the growth of mold.
Seal garage door
Apart from making the wall, ceiling, and floor waterproof, it is advisable to seal the garage floor. Sealing the garage floor will prevent rainwater from entering into the garage. Garage flooding leads to the growth of mold once water accumulates into the garage. The best way to seal your garage door by replacing the worn-out weatherproofing. You can also the bottom seal for the garage floor to prevent rainwater from getting into the garage.
2. Control garage temperature
Keeping your garage temperature optimal is essential to prevent mold in the garage. Mold in the garage is as a result of condensation. When the temperatures get too high and then suddenly drop, you will notice an accumulation of moisture in the garage. The trick to preventing condensation is to make sure that the temperatures do not goo too high or too low.
The best way to control temperatures in the garage is by venting the garage. Using a heater in the winter season will prevent the temperatures from getting to low. However, when using garage heaters, make sure that you choose heaters that do not produce water vapor. The idea is to dry out the garage, and to use dry heaters is always a smart choice.
During the summer period, make sure that you use a garage fan. Using a garage fan will help you to avoid concrete sweating that can lead to the growth of mold. If you do not have enough money to vent the garage, using heaters and fans in the garage can still help in temperature control.
3. Use a garage dehumidifier
Using a garage dehumidifier is necessary for reducing condensation. If you want to remove excess moisture in the garage, it is advisable to get a dehumidifier. In places with high humidity, a dehumidifier is necessary. When buying a dehumidifier, make sure that you get one that is ideal for your garage size. Use a dehumidifier, but remember to drain the excess water after some time.
4. Minimize garage clutter
Many people might not know this, but minimizing garage clutter is important to prevent garage mold. Make sure that you eliminate things that you do not need in the garage. The idea is to make the space airy and allow the proper flow of air in the space.
Start by coming up with a creative organization to keep everything in the space organized. When you have a few items in the garage, it is easy to spot the early signs of growth of mold. It is always easy to deal with mold when you notice the problem early. A spacious garage will allow the flow of air and minimize condensation.
5. Avoid wet items in the garage
Keeping wet items in the garage can encourage the growth of mold. If you have wet clothes in the garage, you will start noticing mold. Before you store anything in the garage, make sure that it is completely dry. The same applies to parking your car. Before you park your car in the garage, remove excess water and snow. When you park a wet car in the garage, the moisture will remain on the floor, and this can lead to the growth of mold due to excess water.
6. Inspect your garage regularly
Regular garage inspection is very necessary. It is advisable to inspect the garage regularly so that you are not caught off-guard. Regular garage inspection will help you to identify the areas that are prone to water damage. If you have plumbing on your wall, it is advisable to keep checking the condition of the pipes. Checking the weatherproofing on your garage door before the rainy season starts is also a good idea. Learning how to do a regular inspection is a good precaution for preventing the growth of mold.
7. Reduce the use of wood and board on the garage
Using the right materials in your garage can make all the difference. Some materials are prone to mold compared to others. Wood is one of the materials that encourage the growth of mold in the garage. Using a soft board on the garage walls can lead to mold because a soft board tends to soak all the water in the garage. Wooden cabinets are also not good for people living in humid areas. Wood is also one of those materials that tend to absorb moisture and lead to the growth of mold in the garage.
8. Do not store items that attract mold
Do not store items that attract mold in the garage. Food items are likely to attract mold in the garage because they absorb a lot of water. Clothes are also likely to attract mold in the garage. Old furniture like sofas can also attract mold in the garage. When you have items that absorb moisture and lead to the growth of mold, you will start noticing moisture spreading in your entire garage.
9. Use garage storage containers
Using garage storage containers is always a good idea. Plastic storage containers are the best for controlling mold in the garage. If you have items that you want to keep safe, make sure that you keep them in the garage storage container. Seal the storage container, and keeping items like clothes inside will protect them from the mold. Even if you have mold in your garage, items inside the plastic containers will not be affected by mold.
10. Good garage drainage
Good garage drainage can make all the difference. The first step to combating mold is to make sure that you do not have any stagnant water in the garage. After cleaning the garage floor, you need to make sure that all the water drains out of the garage. Installing good drainage on your garage floor and outside the driveway can make all the difference.
Sometimes it might be too late to prevent mold in your garage. In case your garage has already been affected by mold, it is advisable to consult an expert. We have mold removal experts that can help you with removing mold from your garage. After making sure that the entire mold has been removed, you can now implement all the preventive measures to avoid mold in your garage.
