The Novoferm guide
Tips and tricks for garage doors
THIS IS HOW GARAGE VENTILATION WORKS
HOW THE NOVOFERM PROFESSIONALS DO IT
Compared to your living space, your garage is probably less well insulated and hardly designed for efficient ventilation. Many such garages have a relatively simple roof and few or no windows. The garage door usually remains closed to protect the valuable contents.
The possible results are damp walls, wet floors, mould, fungus and rust - even on parked vehicles and other stored objects - and even lasting damage to the fabric of the building.
There is no doubt about it: excessive moisture in the garage is a serious problem. Often the problem can be traced back to a lack of or poor ventilation in the garage. Here you can find out everything you need to know about garage ventilation.
GARAGE VENTILATION: HOW IMPORTANT IS SUFFICIENT AIR CIRCULATION?
Especially in the cold season, i.e. in autumn and winter, rain, snow, wet leaves and, last but not least, your rain-covered vehicle can cause a rapid accumulation of moisture in your garage. Corresponding influences enter the room directly through the open garage door and/or creep in through often poorly sealed window cracks and other inadequately insulated areas.
If the garage is then ventilated incorrectly or insufficiently, moisture accumulates. Condensation forms on the walls and ceiling of the garage. This can lead to the formation of salt efflorescence (saltpetre) and mould. Saltpetre is characterised by whitish, scale-like areas. The corresponding nitrate salts are capable of damaging the plaster and, in the worst cases, even attacking the masonry.
Mould can also cause damage to the building or even to parked cars and other objects. In addition, negative health consequences are possible. The situation quickly becomes critical, especially if a mould-infested garage is directly connected to the dwelling. When mould starts to form and spread (perhaps unnoticed at first) behind cabinets and garage panelling and eventually into the living space, extensive renovation work may be unavoidable.
Last but not least, increased humidity encourages the formation of drips on the walls and small puddles on the garage floor. Corrosion of cars, bicycles, tools, etc. is pre-programmed here. However, all this can be avoided relatively easily by ventilating the garage.
ELIMINATE MOULD FROM YOUR GARAGE? HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO!
Mould often forms more quickly than expected. Especially in the most inaccessible corners, where moisture tends to accumulate and dry less, small patches of mould can be found in many garages. If there is mould in the garage, it should be removed immediately.
If there are already extensive areas of mould in the garage, often only a specialist company can help you. If the mould is less extensive, you can use a special cleaner. You should always wear breathing protection and gloves to protect yourself from both the cleaner and the mould particles.
To prevent further mould infestation, you should ventilate the garage regularly. You can also apply anti-mould paint to the walls. Keep an eye on areas affected by mould and similar areas. If mould reappears, react quickly to prevent it from spreading.
HOW TO ELIMINATE HUMIDITY IN THE GARAGE
Ventilate, ventilate: This is the motto if your garage is very damp: open the garage door and all windows. If puddles have already formed, it is good to dry them out. Ideally, damp walls should also be dried. Also remove any other elements that contribute to increased moisture, such as leaves or open buckets of liquid. Once the obvious moisture has been removed, do not close the garage immediately. Depending on the weather, leave it open as long as possible so that the draught dries out critical areas. If the weather is too bad, yard fans, dehumidifiers or simply fans can help.
PREVENTING DAMP IN THE GARAGE: OUR TIPS
So that you don't even have to think about 'How to get rid of damp in the garage and eliminate mould?', we recommend - depending on the weather - airing the room for half an hour a day. Open the door and all the windows. The effect is particularly good on cold, dry days. However, avoid opening them when the humidity is high.
For long-term, cost-effective protection, consider installing a garage door opener with an automatic ventilation function. A special ventilation system will save you a lot of work and keep your garage reliably dry.
GARAGE DOORS AND ACCESSORIES FROM NOVOFERM
With garage door systems from Novoferm, you can significantly reduce the risk of moisture and mould in your garage. We offer you optimally insulated solutions with intelligent ventilation functions. Rely on the innovation, quality and reliability of our products and service, based on more than 60 years of company tradition.
