How to Get Rid of Mold in Your Garage
Mold may grow in your garage just like it can in any other section of your house. Mold thrives in dark, damp places, making garages even more vulnerable.
Mold may still pose a health danger to you and your family even if you don’t spend much time in your garage — you may be carrying it into your home on shoes and backpacks without even recognizing it. Mold exposure can irritate the skin and throat, coughing, and nasal stuffiness.
Mold prevention and removal in your garage may protect your house from long-term harm while also keeping your family safe, happy, and healthy.
How Does Mold Get Into the Garage?
Garages are prone to mold because they are relatively dark and damp. Your garage is probably not as insulated as the rest of your home. Additionally, many older garages are made from materials like wood that don’t provide much resistance to moisture.
If your garage is attached to your home and used as an entrance, the risk for mold is high because it is open so much, allowing moisture inside. However, you can find mold in detached garage spaces as well, and you might not be as likely to notice it right away, allowing for continued growth.
How to Eliminate Mold in Garage Spaces
So you’ve gone through your garage and discovered mold. What is the best way to get rid of it?
If the mold is on a non-porous surface, such as concrete, take these methods to eradicate it:
- Wear protective clothing, including gloves and a mask, before getting started.
- Mold may be killed by using household products such as bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia. One of these substances should be sprayed on the affected region.
- Allow it to sit for about an hour.
- Scrub the area with a hard brush and hot water.
These procedures may be able to remove mold from a garage door, wall, or floor on your own, depending on the materials in your garage. However, if the problem persists, you may need to hire a professional mold removal company.
If you detect mold on a porous surface, such as a wood garage door, likely, you won’t be able to remove it, especially if it’s been there for a long time. You’ll almost certainly need to replace it with mold-resistant polyurethane steel.
How to Prevent Mold in Garage Spaces
After you’ve gotten rid of the mold in your garage, you’ll want to make sure no new mold grows. Here are some suggestions for keeping mold out of your garage:
- Get a dehumidifier. This will cut down on the moisture in your garage. Proper ventilation (like vents and fans) will also help lower humidity.
- Upgrade your storage from cardboard to plastic. Do you have any cardboard boxes of odds and ends lying around in your garage? Switch to a waterproof material for storage. It doesn’t have to be fancy — plastic tubs will work just fine!
- Remove standing water. You might notice pools of water on your garage floor after a heavy rainstorm, or if you wash your car in the garage. If there’s standing water in your garage for any reason, mop it up or use a squeegee to get rid of it.
- Let in some sunlight. Mold thrives in dark spaces. If your garage has windows, make sure they aren’t obstructed so that sunlight can get in. Fresh air is good for your garage as well, so if you can, leave your garage door open for a few hours a week to let in some light.
Following these procedures can help prevent mold from growing in your garage. If the problem persists despite your best efforts, consider rebuilding your garage using moisture-resistant materials.
Act today to keep your home and family safe from mold. Check out the selection of moisture-resistant doors at Augusta’s Premier Garage Door Company and this is a garage door repair company and contact us for installations and repairs in the Georgia area.
