ORLANDO CENTRAL Blog

Preparing Your Orlando Garage for Winter: Insulation Tips & Tricks

In Orlando, we don’t need to worry about snow fronts and significant ice dams clogging the gutters. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t have our own winterization preparations. Fall is the best time to have an insulation expert evaluate and service your home’s current material to improve temperature regulation and reduce discomfort. As such, while you’re preparing for a free evaluation from Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando, take the time to check through these tips and tricks to winterize your garage before the first frost. 

5 Tips to Prepare Your Garage for Cold Weather 

Inspect Door and Mechanisms 

Many homeowners understand the importance of regularly checking the condition of the garage door and mechanics within the system. Cracks, gaps, weathering, and other system issues should be taken care of before the first major storm hits to save you from worse damage. Not only are you more likely to find better deals and service assistance should you need it, but it also gives you a head start against incoming weather that could quickly damage any fixes you’ve made. 

After you’ve sealed problematic gaps and openings, make sure your mechanisms are well oiled, tightened, and running properly. One of the worst issues to run into is the garage door locking up in the middle of an incoming cold front! 

Prepare Exposed Pipes 

If you have water pipes running through your garage, it’s important to ensure they’re properly insulated. Frozen and burst pipes affect unprepared homes every winter, with an average of 37% of frozen pipes occurring in underinsulated basements. Regardless of whether your garage is above a basement or off to the side of your home, a burst pipe can cause significant damage to the structure, plumbing, and property inside of the unit. This is especially important if you have any outdoor pipes and spigots; be sure they're properly drained, prepared, and covered before the first frost sets in. 

Consult an industry professional if you’re unfamiliar with what kind of pipes are running through your unit. Insulating your pipes randomly could cause more harm than good - if you add too much, you could risk a fire, and if you don’t apply enough you’re not providing enough protection. With an insulation expert, a team can guide you on the proper material type and amount to apply around your garage. 

Seal Off Air Leaks 

We mentioned briefly how important it is to inspect and seal any gaps and openings in your garage and storage units. Quality air sealing doesn’t only improve the indoor air quality of a space - it also prevents air pollutants and pests from easily making their way into the unit. One of the main benefits, though, is the ability to keep in desired heat. According to Energy Star, about 90% of U.S. homes have poor air sealing and insulation because of infrequent maintenance and deterioration. 

The good news is that air sealing general gaps and cracks is considered an easy job. You can choose to turn this into a DIY project or call in local insulation experts. However, it's possible for homeowners to miss smaller, hidden cracks throughout their homes that aren't as easy to find. Doors and windows are your common air leakage culprits, but there are other openings in your building envelope that can cause problems. Holes from pipes and wiring, foundation or wall damage, and hiding spots from insects and rodents are the most common undetected places that are contributing to air leakage, poor indoor air quality, and irregular temperatures. 

Check the Insulation Material 

Insulation is found throughout your home and garage, within the walls, ceilings, and even the floors if you're above a basement or crawl space. It's even more crucial to evaluate the material in your garage if it's below another room or the attic. Updated insulation that's properly installed can not only help with improved temperature regulation but material can even help with noise reduction and moisture resistance. 

Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando provides free evaluations to send in an expert that will provide a breakdown on the current condition of your home’s insulation. Our insulation technicians can give you information on poorly installed material, inadequate coverage, and any deterioration or damages. The evaluation also covers air sealing, taking care of two important steps within the winter preparation checklist. 

Seal Flooring 

One of the last places to evaluate - and an area that is often overlooked - is the floor and crawl spaces in and around your garage. It’s especially important to prepare if you plan on storing vehicles and large equipment inside. In northern areas, this is done to prevent salt damage because of snow preparation; but for places like Orlando, it’s a perfect insulation practice. For many sealants, you’ll need to regularly wash the area to prevent wear and damages that increase the rate of deterioration of most sealant materials. 

Start by thoroughly preparing the space beforehand. Make sure the floor is clean, free of debris and dust, and move large items out of the way. Once you have a majority of the space cleared, you can apply a product like epoxy to seal the flooring and provide a barrier between the surface and your equipment. Sealing the floor isn’t necessarily a required step in winterization but it’s a great option if you’re continuously bringing vehicles and equipment in and out of the space. 

Contact Your Local Insulation Expert 

Our team at Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando knows the importance of winter preparation. Just because central Florida doesn’t see snow doesn’t mean we don’t have our own winterization checklists. Damaged pipes, cracked floors, and air leakage can wreak just as much havoc on your energy and maintenance bills! Contact our team today to learn more about properly insulating your garage and storage units and schedule your free evaluation before the new year rolls in!