Alongside your car, your garage likely stores many valuable items, such as fitness equipment, tools and boxes of home decorations. In the winter, you want to ensure your garage stays in optimal condition to protect your vehicle and stored items against the elements. One way to protect them is by keeping your garage floor clean.
The Importance of Maintaining a Clean Garage Floor
Here are a few reasons why cleaning your garage floor is crucial no matter the season:
- Maintain personal safety: Keep your garage floor clean and clear of debris to ensure you and anyone else who may enter your garage won’t encounter a falling hazard. This is especially important in the winter — a slippery garage floor, often caused by melted snow and ice, creates the risk of slipping, falling and potentially sustaining serious injury.
- Keep tools protected: If you store equipment like tools in your garage, it can be damaged at any time of the year when it’s left out and scattered on the garage floor. Store your equipment properly so it doesn’t become damaged, or worse, harm anyone.
- Avoid stains and other damage: Some substances like oil or paint can damage your garage floor if it spills by accident. These messes can be hard to clean and may pose a further hazard, as they’re often flammable. Avoid expensive property damage by storing chemicals and substances safely out of reach.
- Improve floor longevity: With cleaning and maintenance, you’ll enjoy a smoother floor free of dents and dings. Items strewn across the floor can chip and scratch it, leaving unsightly damage. Over time, that damage could worsen, possibly leading to garage floor repair or replacement.
- Enhance floor condition: A consistently clean garage floor will extend the floor’s longevity so you can enjoy it for years to come. No matter the season, keeping your garage floor clean can help you avoid scratches, dents and structural damage.
Winter Cleaning Tips
There are various simple steps you can take to keep your garage floor clean during winter. Prepare in the warmer months so you’re equipped when the colder weather arrives, making the overall process easier. Here’s how to clean your garage floor in the winter:
1. Invest in Epoxy Coating
Epoxy coating is ideal if you’re considering a more permanent option that will look appealing and give you a good return on your investment. It is durable and covers the entire floor surface, ensuring water won’t penetrate and damage the floor underneath.
The coating provides a high-gloss finish that will last while protecting the surface. Adding a slip-resistant layer to the epoxy will reduce slippage, which is especially beneficial if your garage is situated on an incline.
When you park your vehicle, any water on your vehicle will drip onto the epoxy and form puddles. Then, you can simply mop up the puddles to keep your garage floor clean and safe.
2. Lay Containment Mats
In the winter, damage occurs when your garage floor soaks up water, as the water can freeze and thaw. You might notice chips and cracks as a result. Containment mats are made of rubber and other materials that absorb water when your car is parked.
By covering your garage floor with containment mats, your vehicle has better traction when it enters the garage. It won’t slip as easily. The containment mats will catch snow, salt or other debris from the outdoors, preventing anything from touching your garage floor. These mats are quick to install and remove.
Another option is to use cardboard, though you may have to replace it more frequently.
3. Wipe Off Your Vehicle
One solution to prevent your garage floor from getting wet and muddy is wiping your car’s exterior before you enter the garage. This solution might not always be possible, especially if conditions are bad, but it can help ensure you don’t track debris into your garage, making cleaning simpler.
Use a brush to gently wipe off your car and scrape away any ice. Don’t forget to use your brush to wipe off your tires, too.
4. Use Weather Stripping Sealing
An insulated garage door helps regulate the temperature inside your garage. Despite the insulation, tiny holes on the sides and beneath the door and panels can allow cold air to seep through. These gaps can create a draft that enters your garage and even the rooms near your garage if your garage is attached.
Weatherstripping keeps the garage door sealed by preventing cold air and debris from entering. If the current weatherstripping in your garage is worn or damaged, consider replacing it before winter arrives to avoid cold air drafts and snow and ice from getting into your garage.
5. Use Blower or Ceiling Fans
Ceiling or blower fans can help dry the garage floor when you need extra help. A mop and broom are effective at getting rid of water, but blowing it away will ensure any moisture that’s left is dried. Evaporation takes longer in winter, which is why setting up a fan is a good option to keep your garage floor clean and dry during this time of the year.
Explore Our Range of Garage Doors at Kitsap Garage Door
Maintaining your garage floor throughout every season helps you avoid floor damage that could lead to extensive repairs or replacement. By taking proper steps to keep ice, snow and salt off your garage floor, you can also keep yourself protected from accidental slips or falls.
Just as keeping your garage floor clean and clear of debris is essential, a new garage door can also keep your garage protected. At Kitsap Garage Door, we’ve been installing garage doors since 1975, so our team has the expertise to help you keep your garage in the best condition possible. We always aim to put our customers’ needs first and deliver the best service possible, whether you need a replacement garage door or other garage door services.
Call us at (360) 692-0849 or request an online estimate to get started.
