Ventilating a garage
Ventilating your garage properly: Tips to counter heat in summer and frost in winter
The idea of summer sun brings a smile to most people's faces. If it weren't for what comes with it: heat. Too much of it is not only a problem for us humans, but our homes will also heat up quickly without measures to prevent them doing so. And what about the garage? No need to worry particularly about it in the summer? Wrong! Because proper ventilation of the garage in summer needs to be learned, and is crucial in preserving whatever you keep in it. It’s even more important when temperatures drop back in autumn, and winter comes knocking. In short: By ventilating properly in summer and winter, you will prevent mould and extend the useful life of your garage and all the belongings you store in it. We have summarised the key points on this for you.
The issue of damp
Why does a garage need ventilating at all? Quite simply, to protect it against damp. Moisture often leads to mould where there is a humid climate and sufficient organic material. If both are present, the mould spores spread in the air and subsequently attack walls and objects, or promote the formation of rust on vehicles. And that can affect a garage whether it is insulated or not. Mould will flourish especially if the garage is not heated, or is rarely ventilated. Parking a wet vehicle in the garage in winter rapidly increase the humidity level, as does leaving the garage door open for hours on end in summer, so these effects need to be countered. In addition to excessive humidity, especially in the cold months, and a lack of garage ventilation, there are other factors that will encourage damp in the garage. They include:
Leaks in the building fabric (damage to the roof, damp masonry, etc.)
Contaminated or defective roof drainage
Rotting or damaged insulation
Seepage water in the floor slab
Wet leaves in the garage
Remove mould and take action
Once you have discovered mould in your garage, you need to react quickly! If there are only small spots, they can usually be repaired with products from a specialist retailer. Important note: Wear respiratory protection and gloves, and take care not to inhale mould spores or let them come into contact with your skin. In the event of more extensive mould, you should consult a professional who will help you to take appropriate measures. It’s not just a matter of eliminating the mould, repairing and possibly subsequently sanding or painting the area concerned, however; it’s important above all to find the root cause. Because that’s the only way to rule out any further unpleasant surprises.
Preventive measures
To avoid this happening in the first place, preventive measures are essential. As a rule, the humidity level in the garage should be kept between 45 and 55 percent, so as to give mould no chance to form and to prevent rust. It is best to get a hygrometer and check the temperature regularly. Also, keep the drainage system clean, check the building fabric, and clear out any other risk factors such as leaves. The following tips will help you ventilate your garage properly:
Ventilating your garage in summer
In the warmer months, summer condensation occurs. The reason for it is that warm air holds more moisture than cold air. So if you leave the garage door open for hours in summer, you will allow warm air to flow into the garage and mix with the cooler air inside. As a consequence, surplus air condenses on the walls, creating a damp environment. As a rule of thumb: When the temperature and humidity outside are lower than inside, the garage can be ventilated without risk. On particularly hot days, you should therefore only open the garage briefly in the morning or evening, and under no circumstances leave it open for hours on end. Use cooler summer days in particular for prolonged ventilation.
Ventilating your garage in winter
In winter, it is first important to clear the car of snow as completely as possible before driving it into the garage. This is because water evaporates much less readily in cold air, and so will be deposited on all the objects inside the garage. At the same time, the moisture in the air from the warm vehicle evaporates very rapidly. As a consequence, the moist air condenses on cool surfaces on the car body, and begins to penetrate into any small cracks or chips. So the guiding principle is: The drier the vehicle, the better. In both heated and unheated garages, so-called cross-ventilation will additionally ensure the necessary air exchange. To achieve this, the garage should ideally have two openings opposite each other – for example, air vents in the garage door and the back wall, a window or a door. This allows the air to circulate, humid air is removed, and warm air is held inside. If this is not enough, you can ventilate for ten minutes once or twice a day. Newer garages come with automatic ventilation systems. These open the garage door a few centimetres, for example, or incorporate a vent into the door. Much of this works nowadays by means of sensors that automatically detect when the humidity reaches a critical level. Alternatively, a dehumidifier can be used to remove some of the moisture from the air.
A high-quality garage door and good ventilation are key
Anyone planning a new garage should take all these factors into account. High-quality materials, a well-insulated garage door and adequate ventilation will pay off in the long run. Many Normstahl garage doors feature a ventilated bottom seal to prevent damp and mould growth. The integrated flex zone can also compensate for uneven floors. An integrated ventilation system can be installed as an option. Especially for garages that are integrated into the house, efficient ventilation is essential to prevent damage due to damp. Last but not least, mould also poses a health risk that should be eliminated.
