Concrete garages provide useful shelter from rain, frost and wind, but they still need occasional maintenance. Before winter arrives, checking the roof, drainage, doors and ventilation can help prevent minor problems from becoming more disruptive during cold and wet weather.
Use this checklist to prepare your concrete garage and protect the vehicles, tools and equipment stored inside.
Check the Roof for Damage
Look for cracked, loose or displaced roof sheets, damaged flashings and gaps around fixings. Water marks on the ceiling or walls can also indicate that rain is entering somewhere above.
Inspect the roof from ground level where possible and do not walk on garage roof sheets. If your garage has an older asbestos cement roof, do not drill, cut or attempt to remove it yourself. Arrange an assessment by a suitably qualified professional.
Dencroft provides garage roof repairs and replacements alongside repairs to panels, windows, doors, fascias and guttering.
Clear Gutters and Check Drainage
Leaves, moss and other debris can block gutters and downpipes during autumn. When water cannot drain correctly, it may overflow onto the garage walls or collect around the base.
Clear accessible gutters safely and check that downpipes carry water away from the building. The ground surrounding the garage should not direct surface water back towards the concrete base.
Standing water around the base should be investigated, particularly if damp patches are appearing inside the garage.
Inspect the Panels and Joints
Dencroft’s reinforced concrete panels use tongued and grooved joints to create an interlocking structure with weather-resistant connections. However, panels, seals and fixings should still be inspected periodically.
Look for widening cracks, crumbling concrete, damaged joints or areas where panels appear to have moved. Small surface marks may not be serious, but significant movement or exposed steel reinforcement should be professionally assessed.
A problem affecting one panel may be repairable without replacing the entire garage.
Test Doors and Windows
Make sure the main garage door opens smoothly, closes fully and locks correctly. Check personnel doors and windows for damaged frames, loose hinges, worn seals and gaps that could allow wind-driven rain to enter.
Do not attempt to adjust springs or other components under tension. If a door has become difficult to operate, arrange a professional inspection. Dencroft supplies and installs several types of garage doors, including replacement up-and-over, sectional and roller designs.
Manage Condensation
Condensation is different from a roof leak. It develops when moist air meets a colder surface and may appear as droplets on the underside of the roof, doors or other components.
An uninsulated concrete garage will still become cold during winter, and concrete panels alone do not create a temperature-controlled environment. To reduce moisture:
- Keep existing ventilation openings clear
- Avoid storing wet equipment or clothing
- Allow a wet vehicle to dry with suitable ventilation
- Leave space for air to circulate around stored items
- Use raised shelving and sealed containers for moisture-sensitive belongings
Where condensation is a persistent concern, Dencroft offers garage roofing options that include anti-condensation underlay and insulated box-profile sheets. The most suitable option will depend on the garage and how it is used.
Protect Stored Belongings
Keep cardboard boxes, fabrics, tools and electrical equipment away from external walls and off the floor. Sturdy shelving and sealed plastic containers provide additional protection if minor moisture enters the building.
Documents, electronics and other items affected by low temperatures or humidity may be better stored inside the home or in a properly insulated and controlled space.
Check locks and external lighting at the same time, particularly if valuable tools or machinery are kept in the garage. A solid structure is only one part of garage security, so doors, windows and access points must also be maintained.
Arrange Repairs Before Winter
Leaks and damaged components are easier to address before prolonged wet or freezing conditions arrive. Early repairs can also reduce the risk of water damaging vehicles and stored belongings.
If your garage needs a winter inspection, roof repair, replacement door or wider refurbishment, contact Dencroft Garages to discuss its condition and request a quotation.
