How Do I Keep My Garage Dry?

A damp garage can ruin your favorite workspace or put your storage items at risk. This moisture could stem from a handful of possible problems, and we’re here to help you solve them. We have a handful of great tips to help you.

So, how can you keep moisture out of the garage?

There are 3 easy steps:

1. How to reduce humidity in the garage
2. How to keep moisture out of the garage
3. How to keep garage dry

If you have a hydrometer, go ahead and check your garage humidity, and then check again after you apply the fixes below.

1. How To Reduce Humidity in the Garage

If your garage humidity is high, then you will want to take some steps to clear out the moisture first. Here are quick and cost-effective ways to reduce your garage humidity quickly.

Photo by Logan Meis on Unsplash

Open Windows and Doors

By opening the windows and doors in your garage, the trapped humid air will move out. Proper airflow is key to reducing the humidity in your garage. If necessary, use fans to help facilitate airflow outside.

Organize Garage

If you use your garage for storage, make sure that it isn’t cluttered. The clutter could be decreasing airflow and allow moisture to build up. Consider using shelves and hanging racks to organize your garage.

Keeping items off the ground should be your goal since that will reduce airflow.

2. How To Keep Moisture Out of the Garage

Now to keep the humidity in your garage low, you’ll want to keep any excess moisture out of your garage, and there are a few primary sources you will want to check.

Check Frames and Gaskets

Check your garage doors and windows are leveled with their frame–if they are askew, it can bring in outside moisture.

Likewise, check the gaskets on your window, door, and garage door. If the gaskets are showing signs of decay, then that might be a source of humidity.

You can check the condition of your gaskets by rubbing your hand along them. If it turns a dark, chalky black, it’s time to replace it.

Ventilation

Ventilation is an easy way to keep your garage dry. If you have windows, then open them up to increase ventilation. If you don’t have any, then open your garage door and the garage exit door, and allow the natural wind to carry humidity outward.

Drainage

Your drainage is the next thing to check. Inspect that the floor drains are unobstructed by boxes or any other object.

Check that your rain gutters below your roof are not clogged, and the same goes for your downspouts. If they are obstructed in any way, water might pull up and leak into your garage.

Also, if you park your car in your garage, make sure to dry it out. The water droplets on your car will evaporate inside your garage, increasing your garage humidity.

Leaks

Ensure that your garage ceiling isn’t leaking and that there aren’t any cracks in the walls that might be drawing in water.

Check that your AC ducts aren’t leaking air. A leaky AC duct can be contributing to temperature irregularities.

If your appliances or machines use water hookups, make sure that those hookups aren’t leaking. Eliminating inside sources of water will immediately reduce your garage humidity.

Condensation from Appliances

It is common to have a fridge or freezer in your garage. The extra storage space comes in handy when you like to keep some ribs available for a future cookout. If your garage fridge or freezer is old, then they might be the culprit for your damp garage.

Your fridge or freezer drip pans could be filling up from the constantly changing temperature, and when that temperature shoots up, condensation will form outside of your appliances.

3. How To Keep Garage Dry

After you’ve removed the humidity and ensured that you have eliminated sources of moisture, then you can take steps toward keeping your previously damp garage dry.

During The Winter Turn Up The Heat

During winter, you should consider having a heater inside your garage. A stable temperature will keep condensation under control. Only consider an electric or a natural gas garage heater as propane heaters produce excess water vapor.

Install an Exhaust Fan

Installing an exhaust fan on your roof will help keep the temperature in your garage regulated. Humidity and heat get trapped above your garage, so an exhaust fan would make sure that it is all vented out.

Get A Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are geared toward handling any issues with humidity. Having a mid-to-large size dehumidifier can help keep your garage humidity in check. Especially coupled with all the tips mentioned above you can keep your hobbyist space or storage space dry year-round. Consider keeping things safe and dry by getting yourself an Eva-Dry dehumidifier for your garage.