Many people overlook their garage space, but really it’s a functional part of a property. It’s not just a place to store vehicles, tools, paints and other household goods that you have no room for in your home. Nor should it be somewhere you simply walk in out of without regarding its importance. Therefore, it’s necessary to make your garage a regular part of your home maintenance. In doing so, it will be in better condition to last over time and can also add significant value to your property should you decide to sell it in the future. Follow these simple garage maintenance steps to get your garage back into a safe space.
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Inspect your garage door
In general, people only realize something is wrong with their garage door when it stops working properly! However, regular checking will ensure both its practicality and its safety. For example, is it making strange, loud noises? Is it sticking? What about a garage door spring repair? All these aspects are important in order to maintain its functionality and problems often can be fixed by lubricating parts, adjusting sensors and checking the weatherstripping at the bottom of the door. Any repairs you’re not sure of what you’re doing, it’s best to call in the professionals, otherwise it could cost you more in the long run.
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Organize the clutter
Pretty much everyone is guilty of hoarding clutter in their garage as it’s often used as a dumping ground for anything that doesn’t have a home. This could amount to a safety hazard whereby clutter is stacked too high or stuff is scattered on the floor, which could cause a trip and fall. Keeping your garage clean and neat also means you can find things easily. Even when a garage is free from clutter, it’s only a matter of time before the stuff piles up again! So, work out a system that orders all the things you want to keep, throw away or give to charity.
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Use storage safely
Once you’ve sorted out all your clutter, the next job is to store it all, safely. It’s all very well having shelving or storage in your garage but not if they’re not secure, especially as they’re likely to hold heavy loads. Therefore, it’s worth investing in solid shelving units, whether they’re overhead racks or wall-mounted. Make sure you know how much weight they can withhold before starting to pile things onto them. Finally, organize them into sections so everything is easily accessible. For example, ensure your garden tools are put away without sharp edges exposed, ladders are anchored correctly and power tools are not left lying around.
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Secure hazardous items
One of the most important items to organize are your hazardous products which should be locked away or put up high. Most of us will have a variety of these types of products; for example, cleaning liquids, paints, garden fertilizers, spray paints, solvents, car batteries, etc. Many of these may be out of date or half empty so go through them one by one before storing or throwing away responsibly. Read the instructions for each one as some might need ventilation as an extra safety precaution. You might be pleasantly surprised by how much space you can create by going through these hazardous materials!
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Check the garage building
You should make a regular inspection of your entire building to check for damage. In addition to the garage door, you should also be examining the walls, floor, roof and any windows. Your garage needs to be protected from weather conditions so if there is any mold, moisture or leaks anywhere, it’s necessary to fix them immediately. After all, what’s the point of storing things in your garage if they get damaged from outside elements? While you’re there, it’s also worth checking for any evidence of rodents and other pests. Certain critters love to make a garage their home and if you see them, find out where they are getting in and put a stop to it.
Keep up with other maintenance
These steps are not the only things you should do for the on-going improvement of your garage. You need to also think about any damaged electrical sockets or wiring; changing any lighting fixtures or flickering light bulbs; installing carbon monoxide detectors to reduce health risks from your vehicle’s exhaust; and having easy access to a fire extinguisher. By following these maintenance tips, you should have your garage in tip top condition which is both safe and functional for all members of your family.
