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Protecting Your Garage From Pacific Northwest Rain

Photo of the heavy Pacific Northwest rain in Seattle

If there’s one thing Washington, Oregon and other Pacific Northwest states are known for, it’s rain. The wet climate of the region results in some of the greenest forests anywhere in the world, but it also can result in severe damage to your garage. Even though your garage is technically considered “indoors,” that doesn’t mean it’s as dry as sitting in your living room. There are plenty of opportunities for rainwater to seep into your garage — whether through cracks in your roof or from parking your wet car inside of it. When water gets into your garage, it can lead to serious problems. Excess water can damage any belongings you have on your garage floor. It can seep into drywall and create a breeding ground for mildew and mold. It can get into tiny cracks in your foundation and force it apart when it freezes. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, rain is a fact of life, but it doesn’t have to be for your garage. Here are some basic tips for preventing rainwater from damaging your garage.

KEEP YOUR GUTTERS AND SPOUTS IN GOOD SHAPE

One of the most common reasons water gets into garages is because gutters and waterspouts aren’t properly maintained. In order for gutters to effectively carry water that runs off your roof away from your property, you need to be sure that they are kept in good condition. That means having them cleaned regularly, as leaves and other debris can not only plug them up, but the excess weight can cause gutters to sag. This prevents water from flowing through the gutters as effectively as it should.

Picture of a storage unit with a garage door threshold seal installed

HEAT YOUR GARAGE

Moisture can build up in your garage even if there are no obvious leaks anywhere. That’s because, when your garage’s walls and floors cool down past the dew point, moisture in the air can condense on the surface. When moisture builds up and collects in this way on your garage’s walls and floors, it can lead to mildew and mold growth as well as attracting pests. Keeping your garage warm with an electric heater can be an effective means of preventing condensation from becoming a problem.

KEEP YOUR CAR DRY

Driving your car in the rain or snow is unavoidable in the Pacific Northwest, and that can spell big trouble for your garage. Water that drips off your car has to go somewhere. When you park your wet car in your garage, it can get into places you don’t want it to be. That’s why it’s important to remember to dry off your car whenever possible before parking it in your garage. Having a canopy over your driveway before your garage door can help give your car an opportunity to drip-dry before parking it inside the garage.

Garage door with an installed threshold seal with water outside

INSTALL A GARAGE DOOR SEAL

One of the most effective protection against water is ensuring your garage has a garage door seal. By sealing your garage with a garage door threshold from Garadry, you can create a layer of rain protection by preventing rainwater from flowing underneath the door. Even a tiny gap between the garage door and the floor can be enough to allow rainwater inside, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.

Garage door with an installed garage door floor seal

A garage door seal also helps insulate your garage in colder months by keeping cold outside air from getting inside the garage. These seals also can be highly effective for commercial garages, including auto body shops and oil-change specialists.

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