[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-inspecting-garage-safety-more-than-just-a-door-test\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-inspecting-garage-safety-more-than-just-a-door-test\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inspecting Garage Safety \u2014 More Than Just a Door Test","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inspecting Garage Safety \u2014 More Than Just a Door Test","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inspecting Garage Safety \u2014 More Than Just a Door Test The garage is where home inspection myths live. People think we\u2019re here to test the water heater, poke around in attic hatches, or inspect the panel\u2014sure, those might be in the garage, but those systems get covered elsewhere. Here? I\u2019m focused on safety, structure, and whether your garage is going to be a problem waiting to happen. Here's What I Actually Inspect in the Garage Automatic vehicle door \u2013 I test openers, safety sensors, emergency release, and whether the door reverses properly. Yes, I video it. Water intrusion at vehicle door threshold \u2013 Garage floors should slope gently out. If I see standing water or evidence of past flooding under the door, I document it. Firewall between garage and home \u2013 That drywall between the garage and living space? It\u2019s not just drywall\u2014it\u2019s your first line of defense in a fire. Combustible storage or fire risks \u2013 I don\u2019t judge, but if you\u2019re stacking cardboard next to a furnace, I\u2019m going to flag it. What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: door safety operation, obvious trip hazards, signs of water intrusion, and missing or damaged fire separation walls. \u274c I\u2019m not inspecting: the water heater, electrical panel, or attic insulation in this post\u2014those are each covered in their own system sections. I also don\u2019t move personal belongings to see behind them. Fire Safety Starts with the Wall You Overlook The wall between the garage and the house is a big deal. It should be fully drywalled, with any attic access or doors rated to slow the spread of fire. I look for breaches, missing tape, or damage. It\u2019s not code enforcement\u2014it\u2019s basic fire safety. Water Intrusion Is a Bigger Deal Than You Think Water entering from under the garage door doesn\u2019t just ruin boxes. It can seep under walls, damage trim, or invite pests. I document stains, rust at metal tracks, or signs that water regularly pools in the garage. FAQs: Garage Inspections Do you inspect the garage door and opener? Yes. I test for full operation, auto-reverse safety, sensor alignment, and visible mechanical condition. I document it with a video. What is a firewall in the garage? It's the drywall barrier between the garage and living space, intended to slow the spread of fire. I inspect for completeness and breaches. Do you test for leaks in the garage? Only what\u2019s visible. I look for signs of past water intrusion under the door or walls, but I don\u2019t flood test or open walls. Do you inspect the water heater and electrical in the garage? Yes\u2014but not as part of the garage section. Those are inspected under their own categories earlier in the report. \u2192 Next up: Post 26: Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Checks During a Home Inspection \u2190 Previously: Post 24: Doors & Windows \u2014 How Small Details Reveal Bigger Problems Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-07-10","dateModified":"2025-07-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspector-blog-22.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspector-blog-22.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-inspecting-garage-safety-more-than-just-a-door-test\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":516,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inspecting Garage Safety \u2014 More Than Just a Door TestThe garage is where home inspection myths live. People think we\u2019re here to test the water heater, poke around in attic hatches, or inspect the panel\u2014sure, those might be in the garage, but those systems get covered elsewhere. Here? I\u2019m focused on safety, structure, and whether your garage is going to be a problem waiting to happen.Here's What I Actually Inspect in the Garage  Automatic vehicle door \u2013 I test openers, safety sensors, emergency release, and whether the door reverses properly. Yes, I video it.  Water intrusion at vehicle door threshold \u2013 Garage floors should slope gently out. If I see standing water or evidence of past flooding under the door, I document it.  Firewall between garage and home \u2013 That drywall between the garage and living space? It\u2019s not just drywall\u2014it\u2019s your first line of defense in a fire.  Combustible storage or fire risks \u2013 I don\u2019t judge, but if you\u2019re stacking cardboard next to a furnace, I\u2019m going to flag it.What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not  \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: door safety operation, obvious trip hazards, signs of water intrusion, and missing or damaged fire separation walls.  \u274c I\u2019m not inspecting: the water heater, electrical panel, or attic insulation in this post\u2014those are each covered in their own system sections. I also don\u2019t move personal belongings to see behind them.Fire Safety Starts with the Wall You OverlookThe wall between the garage and the house is a big deal. It should be fully drywalled, with any attic access or doors rated to slow the spread of fire. I look for breaches, missing tape, or damage. It\u2019s not code enforcement\u2014it\u2019s basic fire safety.Water Intrusion Is a Bigger Deal Than You ThinkWater entering from under the garage door doesn\u2019t just ruin boxes. It can seep under walls, damage trim, or invite pests. I document stains, rust at metal tracks, or signs that water regularly pools in the garage.FAQs: Garage InspectionsDo you inspect the garage door and opener?Yes. I test for full operation, auto-reverse safety, sensor alignment, and visible mechanical condition. I document it with a video.What is a firewall in the garage?It's the drywall barrier between the garage and living space, intended to slow the spread of fire. I inspect for completeness and breaches.Do you test for leaks in the garage?Only what\u2019s visible. I look for signs of past water intrusion under the door or walls, but I don\u2019t flood test or open walls.Do you inspect the water heater and electrical in the garage?Yes\u2014but not as part of the garage section. Those are inspected under their own categories earlier in the report.\u2192 Next up: Post 26: Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Checks During a Home Inspection\u2190 Previously: Post 24: Doors & Windows \u2014 How Small Details Reveal Bigger ProblemsCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inspecting Garage Safety \u2014 More Than Just a Door Test","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-inspecting-garage-safety-more-than-just-a-door-test\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]