Tips and Tricks For Excellent Garage Maintenance

Many homeowners trek in and out of their garage without stopping to actually take a good look at the space. You're either leaving for work, coming home or simply getting what you need and getting out. People often don't think of garage maintenance as an important task.



However, it definitely should be part of your regular home maintenance. After all, the garage is part of your home - why wouldn't you maintain it as much as anything else? Garage maintenance isn't a difficult task and, if you keep up with it, your garage will be in better shape and your home will have more value because of it.

It All Starts with the Garage Door

The biggest part on your garage is the garage door. Maintaining it isn't only important for convenience and practicality, but for safety as well. Keep an eye out for garage door problems such as a sticking, drafty or loud garage door. Many times the solutions are simple, such as lubricating or replacing the weatherstripping, but if the problem goes on for too long, the answer might be something more costly. You can read more about the most common garage door problems and their solutions in this article. Making sure your garage door is working properly and looking good will help increase your home's value whereas a damaged or broken one will decrease value.

Don't Forget Your Garage Floor

You might be thinking, "Why do I need to maintain the floor? It's just a slab of concrete." You need to make sure your floor is in good condition because it's the base of your garage. Depending on how you use your garage, the floor takes a beating from vehicles to tools and everything in between. If you let the floor get damaged, it's only a matter of time before you start seeing more problems. Over time, your garage floor can crack and end up causing leaks and foundation problems if not taken care of. You must also remember to routinely clean your garage floor - a clean home is a happy home. A good way to remember this is to include it whenever you vacuum or clean your floors inside the house. There are many garage flooring options available to help keep it protected and preserved for many years to come. Not only do they provide protection, but they'll even enhance the look of your garage which can boost home value as well.

Organize and Clean Up

Perhaps the most important garage maintenance tip that we have, and also one of the most forgotten by homeowners, is to keep your garage clean and organized. Chances are you store a lot of items in your garage, so you need to have some sort of system in place instead of throwing things around with no real sense of organization. Keeping your garage neat and clean helps improve the look of it and increases safety in the garage, which is very important. A lot of times, homeowners don't really put as much effort as they should when cleaning and organizing the garage. When you do this, it's only a small matter of time until the area is cluttered again. In order to effectively organize your garage, you must first start with a plan so you know what's going to happen instead of just going with the flow. Then, throw out, sell or donate anything you don't absolutely need. Doing this will clear up a ton of space you never thought you could have. Once you've gotten everything gathered that you're going to keep, there are so many ways you can store and organize things. From the walls to the ceiling, the methods of garage storage are nearly endless. A good tip to follow is to label things and keep them filled with what's on the label in order to avoid confusion and mess.

Routinely Inspect the Walls, Roof and Foundation

You want to be able to keep whatever's in your garage protected from rain, wind and snow throughout the year. If the walls and foundation of your garage are in trouble, then so is everything inside. If you find moisture stains along the walls and near the floor of your garage, there's a leak somewhere. It could be from a fault in the foundation or holes in the walls where they meet the floor or roof. If your garage experiences a lot of moisture build-up during periods of heavy rain, the problem may be leaks in the roof. This should be repaired immediately to prevent any mold from forming. The entire purpose of keeping items in your garage is so they're stored away from extreme temperatures and precipitation. When these forces are able to enter your garage, you need to get it fixed right away before anything gets damaged.

Check Any Windows or Entry Doors

If your garage has windows, it's important to make sure they're up to standards so that your garage can stay comfortable and appealing throughout the year. Old and worn out windows will take away from your garage's looks and energy efficiency. The same goes for any doors that aren't the main garage door. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to improve the look of a door or window. However, if they're past their prime and starting to fall apart, you should look to replace them with new ones. It'll be a smart investment for both the short and long term. You can also tell if your garage has a foundation problem from checking windows and doors. If they're uneven or getting stuck in the frame when opening and closing them, that could mean your foundation has settled.

Keep an Eye Out for Pests/Critters

Garages are often a very attractive destination for pests and critters. They see it as a safe haven from the harsh weather. Since most garages have a lot of exposed framing and rafters, pests such as bees, carpenter ants and termites especially like to make garages their home. If you find any of these in your garage, contact your local exterminator to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back. If you find critters such as squirrels, raccoons or opossums in your garage, you need to figure out where they entered from and patch that up as soon as possible.

Use These Garage Maintenance Tips to Improve Your Home

Garages often get the short end of the stick when homeowners think about cleaning and maintenance. However, if you want your valuable belongings such as your vehicles or lawn equipment to be protected, there's a certain level of garage maintenance you should follow. Once or twice a year, you should inspect your garage from top to bottom. Make sure your garage door is in proper working condition, other doors and windows are in good shape and everything is cleaned up and organized. Has your entire garage seen better days? If it wouldn't be worth repairing everything, Danley's is here to knock it down and build you a new garage from the ground up. you can customize your new garage to meet your specific needs. Since 1959, we've been providing the Chicagoland area with the best garage building around. Start your new garage project today with a free quote online.