Home Repairs Your Garage Doesn’t Want You to Ignore

Your garage is probably the entry and exit point of your home that you use most often. But if you’re usually just going from house to car and back to house, sometimes only the most obvious problems are noticed. And they’re usually inside the garage. But there are a number of home repairs and potential trouble spots that your garage doesn’t want you to ignore—especially as some of them could bring the outside in, and not in a good way!

Roofing

The lifespan of your roofing depends greatly on the materials used, and even then there are varieties in quality. But if your roof is more than 10 or 15 years old, it’s good to keep an eye on its condition. Plus, even a roof in its prime can suffer damage from high winds and storm surge. Check your roof after any major storm event and keep an eye out for interior signs of leaks—and this means in the garage too. If you find a water stain in your garage but nowhere else in the house, it’s not a good idea to ignore it just because the main living space is fine. Small problems can lead to big problems faster than you may think—and cost far more to fix.

Drainage

Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris year-round, not just after the leaves have fallen. Seasons of heavy rain can overload municipal storm drains, so watch for problems with overflowing gutters or water that is draining toward your foundation rather than away from it. This can compromise any area of the home, and the garage should also be considered. After all, a two-car garage could house 4-6 tonsof vehicles in a fairly small footprint. A solid foundation is just as important there as it is for the rest of the home.

Windows and Doors

Broken, damaged, or drafty garage windows and doors can sometimes be left in disrepair because they’re not “as important” as those in the main living area. But in some cases they can be more important. A poorly functioning garage door is at best a nuisance, and at worst a hazard. You risk personal injury, car damage, and even a compromised garage and home if it fails due to a storm with high winds. Leaky or broken windows waste energy (and your money) and can be an entry path for intruders or pests. Your home’s security is only as good as the weakest point, so don’t let that be your garage.

Plumbing

Some garages are equipped with a cleanup sink, but even if yours isn’t, that doesn’t mean that household plumbing problems can’t affect the garage. Do you have an outdoor spigot? Chances are, the plumbing runs along a garage wall. If the garage is off the kitchen, interior plumbing is nearby. Always keep an eye out for leaks and plan your garage storage solutions with plumbing routes in mind to prevent damage to stowed items, or chemical reactions should things get wet.

Electricity

Be alert for electrical hazards in and around the garage: extension cords left plugged in, bare or unconnected wires, flickering lights or signs of a short inside the garage and home or on the exterior, power tools left out, and more. Make sure that the circuit that feeds the garage is capable of meeting the power needs for tools, lighting, and any appliances used in the space. Address any signs of problems, from burnt out bulbs to possible wire damage or circuit failure. Resist the urge to bypass safety features—whether “borrowing” from another circuit, disabling ground plug on a power cord, or taking the batteries out of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Any of these shortcuts can be extremely dangerous with tragic results.

Home repair needs cover not just your living space, but the garage as well. Your garage wants you to know: don’t ignore home repairs, even if they seem to just affect the garage. Keeping everything in the home in good repair is the safest thing you can do.