Flooring for Each and Every Home

Have you ever walked into the garage and noticed a build-up of moisture on the floor? If so, you were probably perplexed if you didn't spill anything on the ground and you don't have any leaks. Don't worry — it wasn't just in your head. This issue is a real one that many homeowners face, and it's known as garage floor sweating.

Why It Happens

The technical term for garage floor sweating is floor condensation. An understanding of what condensation is makes it easier to understand why you're experiencing this issue. Condensation is a collection of water that forms whenever a cooled surface comes into contact with humid air. 

In this situation, the humid air from outside is coming into contact with your cooled garage floor. This reaction is the most common reason for garage floor sweating. In some instances, the moisture is the result of leftover deposits from winter ground treatments, such as rock salt. Part of the reason why rock salt is effective for ground treatments is that it attracts moisture. When the deposits are left on the ground, they will attract moisture from the air, and since they are on the garage floor, the moisture will settle on this surface.

Whatever the source of the problem, garage sweating will make the floor slippery and dangerous. 

Helpful Prevention Tips

Fortunately, preventing garage floor sweating is a practical process; here are just some of the things you can do. 

Apply Floor Coating

If the floor is concrete, have it treated with a sealant. Sealants block moisture, so even if the floor is cooled, the moisture from the outside air will not be able to penetrate the sealant and settle on the floor.  

Close the Garage Door

Avoid keeping the garage door open for extended periods when it's humid outside. The longer the door is open, the more time the floor and the air have to react. Open the door to move your vehicle in and out and then close it right away. 

Keep the Floor Clean

Always clean the salt deposits that you track in during the winter right away to prevent them from attracting moisture. Keep in mind that rock salt can also damage certain types of garage floors and sealants, so it's helpful to keep it out of your garage.

Make sure that you take action to correct or prevent this issue in your home. For additional assistance, a residential garage flooring professional can help.