A garage is more than storage—it’s a structural component of your home with safety, fire, and moisture considerations. Learn why professional garage inspections should never be overlooked.
Beyond the Garage Door: Why Garage Inspections Deserve More Attention Than They Get
When most people think of a garage, they picture a storage space—somewhere to park the car, stash the mower, or pile up everything that doesn’t quite belong in the house. But beneath the clutter and behind that heavy roll-up door lies a section of the home that often escapes critical scrutiny. And that’s a mistake.
At Green Mountain Property Inspections, we take garages seriously—not because we want to nitpick, but because garages, when overlooked, can quietly incubate some of the most consequential defects in a home.
Garages: An Overlooked Frontier of Home Safety
Garages occupy an unusual liminal space between “indoors” and “outdoors.” They serve as a physical and functional bridge between the elements and your living space. That means they deal with a unique combination of stresses: temperature fluctuations, vehicle emissions, mechanical vibrations, and a surprising number of combustible materials.
And yet, many homeowners and even some inspectors skim past the garage with only a cursory glance. The assumption is simple: “It’s just a garage.”
But what happens when a garage has improper fire separation from the main home? Or when the automatic door reverse mechanism fails and a child or pet is in harm’s way? These aren’t hypotheticals—they’re the kinds of hazards that can exist, unnoticed, until something goes wrong.
Key Components of a Garage Inspection
According to the standards laid out by InterNACHI (the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors), a comprehensive garage inspection includes far more than checking if the garage door opens. Here’s what we examine during a professional garage inspection:
1. Fire Separation and Safety Barriers
Garages that share a wall with living spaces must have proper fire-rated walls and ceilings. We check for gypsum board thickness, seams, and any penetrations that could allow fire or fumes to enter the home.
2. Garage Door Operation and Auto-Reverse Safety
Modern garage door openers must include a photoelectric sensor and pressure-sensitive reverse mechanism. We test these during the inspection to ensure they function properly and protect against injury.
3. Ventilation and Moisture Concerns
Garages often contain fuel-burning appliances like water heaters or furnaces. Without proper ventilation, carbon monoxide can accumulate. We also check for signs of moisture intrusion—stains, rust, or concrete degradation.
4. Electrical Hazards
Many garages become DIY electrical zones over the years. We inspect for improperly wired outlets, missing GFCI protection, and exposed splices that can pose shock or fire risks.
5. Structural Concerns
Cracks in the slab, sagging headers over the garage door, or improperly braced framing can indicate movement, foundation settling, or previous modifications that weren’t done to code.
What a Garage Tells Us About the Home
A garage is often one of the first things a builder constructs and one of the last things a homeowner updates. That means it serves as a kind of time capsule—offering clues about the home’s history, maintenance patterns, and even its future.
When we inspect garages, we’re not just looking at the walls and doors—we’re reading a story. Was the home maintained responsibly? Were shortcuts taken during renovations? Are there signs that point to more systemic issues?
A good garage inspection doesn’t just answer questions—it helps you ask the right ones.
Bringing Peace of Mind, One Door at a Time
At Green Mountain Property Inspections, we approach each garage as we do every other part of the home: thoroughly, professionally, and without assumptions. Our goal isn’t to scare buyers or overwhelm sellers—it’s to provide clarity. Because when people understand what they’re buying, they make better decisions, and better decisions build stronger communities.
So the next time someone shrugs off the garage as “just a place for the car,” you’ll know better. Behind that door might be the key to a safer, healthier home.
Need a Vermont garage inspection?
Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or homeowner, Green Mountain Property Inspections is here to help. Schedule an inspection or learn more at greenmountainpropertyinspections.com
The Inspector's Notebook 