How to Avoid and Remove Mould in Your Garage

Mould can be problematic wherever it crops up, and many people don’t realise how their garage might contain the ideal conditions for mould to thrive.

Putting some thought into mould-proofing your garage will save you trouble in the future, so we’ve put together some tips on how to prevent mould from developing in your garage, and what you can do to remove it if it’s already there.

Prevent against moisture

The best way to prevent mould from building up and spreading all over your garage is to reduce the amount of moisture in the garage as much as possible. Mould thrives in moist environments, so keeping your garage dry is an effective first step to take.

• Target areas where rainwater and moisture can creep into your garage the easiest, and also focus on things like guttering and drainpipes to make sure you aren’t giving yourself any headaches by making water more of a threat than it should be. Proper drainage away from your garage, and sealed gutters in top condition will help.
• Make sure your windows are properly sealed so that water doesn’t seep through them and also take a look at your garage roof to make sure that it is in good condition and isn’t prone to leaks. A solid garage structure with proper drainage and without cracks or holes will solve much of the mould problem, so do a thorough check of the entire garage to identify any weaknesses which might lead to the build up of mould.

Rollerdor Ltd garage doors are all sealed and insulated to protect against water ingress

Roller Garage Door Maintenance

As the widest, largest opening in your garage, the garage door needs to be doing its part in preventing the infiltration of water into your garage. If you still have an old, unmaintained up and over garage door, for example, that might very well be the cause of excess water finding its way inside your otherwise dry garage. A garage door that has come loose over time – or one that was poorly installed in the first place – opens up plenty of opportunity for rainwater to infiltrate, especially during high winds.

• To properly fight the threat of mould, a professionally manufactured and installed roller garage door will offer exceptional benefit. A roller garage door will provide a perfect fit, filling the hole neatly without any sacrifices. The brush attached on both sides along with a strong rubber strip along the bottom means every gap is plugged, leaving rainwater and other moisture very little opportunity to find its way inside.

Roller garage doors provide comprehensive protection from the elements. High winds, heavy rainfall and even snow and hail are kept easily at bay, so you can rest assured that any mould that might crop up won’t be due to moisture infiltration through the garage door.

An insulated roller garage door will also help prevent the buildup of humid conditions in your garage, which will further eliminate any chance mould has to develop.

For an easy, clean and fully effective way to maintain mould-free conditions in your garage, a roller garage door is definitely a smart way to go.

Ventilation and light

Dark and stuffy environments will also encourage the growth of mould so it’s important to provide your garage with good ventilation and proper natural light. Circulating the air to keep it fresh and clean with extractor fans should provide enough ventilation to inhibit the growth of mould. So, make sure to open windows and doors to ventilate the garage and improve air circulation.

If you’ve taken the steps to keep the air in your garage warm, dry and circulating, then mould will find it difficult to develop. It won’t hurt to provide the garage with natural light in addition. On warm, dry and sunny days, leave the garage door open to let a few hours’ light in – especially if you’re working on a project in there at the same time.

Also keep paper and cardboard items to a minimum, and avoid leaving wet shoes or clothes in the garage. Pooling water should be cleared and dried up immediately.

After all these steps, if you still want extra assurance against mould, think about using a dehumidifier to remove any other spots of moisture from around your garage.

Remove Mould From Your Garage

If you spot patches of mould before you’ve had the chance to take steps to prevent it, here is what you need to do to tackle the problem.

• Mould should be scrubbed thoroughly and spores need to be contained as you go to stop them from spreading. This is achieved by first spraying the affected area with warm water. Then you will want to spray the area with a commercial cleaner designed to lift mould spores – for your own safety, make sure the garage is properly ventilated before working with any chemicals. Let it sit briefly then scrub the area with a stiff bristle brush, rinse and repeat if mould remains. Once the mould is removed, make sure to dry the area thoroughly.

Make sure to perform the work in a well ventilated area and with all proper safety equipment – gloves, glasses and respiratory mask.

Rollerdor provide high quality insulated roller garage doors at affordable prices. We install all garage doors to the strictest safety standards and offer a fantastic aftercare service so you can rest assured that your garage door will be operating at peak efficiency for years to come. To discuss the installation of a roller garage door in your property, get in touch with our friendly team today by calling 0800 030 6004.