More Than Storage: Why Your Garage Deserves a Full Inspection
When it comes to home inspections, the garage often feels like an afterthought. It’s where you park your car, store your holiday decorations, or stash tools — but it’s also an essential part of your home’s safety, structure, and value.
We’ve seen countless garages with hidden issues that can put families, vehicles, and the entire home at risk. Here’s why your garage deserves a closer look, whether you’re buying, selling, or just maintaining your property.
Structural Weaknesses Can Spread
Garage walls often support parts of the home, especially if there’s a second story above. Cracks in garage floors or walls, failing headers over garage doors, and shifting foundations can all lead to bigger problems if ignored. During an inspection, we check for cracks or heaving in slabs, bowing or leaning walls, and signs of settlement that may indicate structural movement.
Garage Doors Are a Major Safety & Insurance Factor
A faulty or improperly installed garage door can injure people, damage vehicles, or fail in high winds. This is especially critical in Florida, where reinforced garage doors are often required for wind mitigation discounts. During our inspections, we check door balance and automatic reversal safety features, the condition of springs, tracks, and openers, and door seals to keep pests and moisture out.
Fire Separation Saves Lives
Many garages are attached to living spaces, meaning any fire or carbon monoxide leak in the garage can quickly spread into the home if proper fire-rated barriers aren’t in place. Our inspections include checking for fire-rated drywall or barriers, inspecting the integrity of the door between the garage and home to ensure it self-closes and seals properly, and looking for unsealed penetrations or DIY modifications that compromise fire safety.
Moisture & Ventilation Are Common Problems
Garages can become humid traps, leading to mold growth on stored items or rust on vehicles. We inspect for:
- Signs of leaks around walls or garage doors
- Ventilation issues that allow excess humidity to build up
- Evidence of previous water intrusion or drainage problems
Don’t Overlook the Garage!
A garage might seem like a simple space, but it can hide hazards that affect safety, insurance, and home value. At Square 1 Home Inspections, we treat garages with the same thoroughness as the rest of your home — because a safe garage means a safer home.
Ready for a full inspection that covers every detail? Contact us today to schedule!
