Keeping Your Garage in Good Repair through the Winter

Keeping Your Garage in Good Repair through the Winter

Winter can take a huge toll on your home in general; however, your garage is most susceptible to the harsh weather. Things that we would normally keep outside tend to find their way into our garages for safekeeping and our weather stripping is put to the ultimate test. Here are a few tips to keep your garage a comfortable, well protected part of your home during the cold season.

The first thing you should do is clean out your garage. It will make it easier to store your exterior items during the winter if you have a little extra space to do so. That being said, having a garage sale is a great way to clear out some of your clutter and make a little extra cash on the side. Separate your stuff into three separate piles: items needed, items you either don't need or don't use, and give away/ throw away stuff. Once you know where everything's going, set it on its way and don't look back. After you know how much stuff you're going to have to deal with, measure the space you'll have to work with. Make sure that you allot enough space for the things that won't move, like your car. It won't do you much good to reorganize your garage if you forget that you vehicle should go in the middle.

Then take a good look at your budget. It's a good idea to put at least a little money into storage units to keep your garage organized. Think of it, you'll never waste time not knowing where something is in your garage again. Focus your storage cabinets and shelves around the walls in your garage with an emphasis on maximizing your vertical space and you'll have more space than you need in the middle.

Once everything has been sorted through and semi-put away, take some time to clean and maintain certain parts of your garage. Sweep your floor and consider installing a garage floor coating. Concrete floor coating like polyurethane can make your garage much easier to clean in the future, keep it from staining and give it a nice touch of style. If you're taking the time to do everything else, why not do a little more. Garage floor coatings are relatively inexpensive and will save you time and keep your garage looking much cleaner even when it's not.

Once you've cleared the clutter from your garage's life, take a moment to focus on its maintenance. Wash the garage door with dish detergent and warm water using a sponge. Check the door for cracks or peeling. If you find it to be in disrepair, call a garage door service provider to help you replace sections or apply the right kind of paint. It's also useful at this point to check the weather stripping and insulation. Either of these being in poor condition could mean higher energy bills for you throughout the winter. Both insulation and weather stripping come in do it yourself kits and can be replaced in sections. But chance are, if one section is peeling or cracked, then most of it should be replaced because it is worn down.

After that, check your garage door's hardware. Use some lubricant to oil up the rollers, tracks, springs, hinges and bearings. Check to make sure that your garage door is level and that its driver system is working properly. If you are unsure of this process, call a professional. There are few things worse than pushing a button and nothing happening; especially when you're stuck outside in the cold and forced to get out of your car to lift the garage door.

Remember, there are a multitude of garage service providers in your area that are more than happy to come out and inspect your garage and its components to make sure they're properly maintained.

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