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5 Organizational Techniques for Garage Equipment
As the seasons change, the way that you organize your garage may change as well. When the weather becomes warmer in the summertime, you might choose to pack away your winter gear and switch it for outdoor equipment such as bikes, sprinklers, and gardening tools. You will want to organize this equipment in your garage so you can find materials easily. There are a few key steps to take when it comes to executing organizational techniques for your garage equipment:
Before you begin, take everything out
Look at your garage when it is empty. Looking at a bare garage is like an artist staring at their blank canvas before they begin painting their masterpiece. By emptying your garage, you can decide which areas of your garage are best to designate for certain storage space. Once you have a clear idea of how you wish to set up your space, you can begin the next steps of organizing.
Make the most of the space you have
This is a particularly important step to keep in mind if you own a car or multiple cars because they may take up a good amount of space-leaving less room for other storage items. Purchasing vertical shelving units and making the most of your vertical space can go a long way when it comes time to condensing storage space in your garage.
How to Eliminate Garage Damage Caused by Humidity
A drastic change in climate can take a toll on the interior of your garage. It is common for moisture, caused by rain or humidity, to get trapped within the walls of your garage and cause damage. This should not be taken lightly, and if it is ignored, the excess moisture in your garage can become worse over time. However, there are a few steps you can take in order to eliminate garage damage caused by rain and humidity.
Monitor the temperature inside your garage space
This is a simple way to control the level of condensation that builds up in your garage over time. Using a garage heater during the cooler months of the year will help keep the temperature balanced, which means it will be less humid in your garage. Install an air conditioning unit in your garage to help evaporate any excess moisture. An alternative to an AC unit is a dehumidifier. It is important to remember to empty out any water that the dehumidifier collects-as it will best function that way.
Security Tips That Can Keep Your Garage Safe
It is important to keep your garage in mind when you are installing a home security system. Before you finalize your decision on which locks to buy or what type of motion detectors to place on your lawn, make sure to review these tips that can keep your garage safe and secure from thieves and animals.
Install a security system
One of the most common ways that people choose to protect themselves is by implementing a security system in their garage. If someone were to try to break into your garage, the system will be set off and an alarm will alert emergency services. There are many different types of security systems, so it may be beneficial to do some research before purchasing one for your home.
Seal all windows
If your garage has windows, keep them covered with blinds or curtains so that no one can see in. The more exposed that your garage is, the more likely it is that someone will look inside and steal your property.
Avoid These Garage Cleaning Mistakes
While you may be aware of the correct steps to take when it comes to cleaning your garage, the mistakes that you should avoid may not be as clear. There are a number of steps to stay away from when you are thinking about cleaning your garage.
Clean without a plan in place
In order to successfully execute the process of cleaning your garage, it is important to come up with a few ideas of how you wish to go about it. This can make the steps that follow less stressful and easier to complete. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to add more time and confusion to the overall organization process. If you do not first take the time to put a plan in place, you may feel overwhelmed and end up rushing your cleanup.
Dress in nice clothes or uncomfortable shoes
Chances are that you are going to get a little dirty when it comes time to clean your garage. With that being said, it would be wise not to wear nice dress clothes because dirt and dust can potentially get all over your outfit. Instead, it might be a good idea to wear an older T-shirt and a comfortable pair of gym shoes, so that you are able to move around more effectively.
How to Keep Your Garage Cool During Hot Weather
The temperature during summertime in Chicago can get hot enough to make the interior of your garage uncomfortable to be in. It is beneficial to be proactive during the spring by updating your garage to prepare it for the oncoming hot weather. There are a handful of steps you can take in order to protect your garage from the summer heat.
Maintain constant air circulation
It is important to try to remove all of the hot air out of your garage. One way to do this is by opening the garage door itself or by leaving the garage windows open for a few hours. Once most of the hot air is gone, you can then begin creating a constant circulation of cool air. If you want to spend a little extra cash, another option is to install an exhaust fan in the garage ceiling. Circulating the air with a fan will be useful for creating a consistent air flow.
Paint the exterior of your garage light colors
Dark shades attract the sunlight and may cause the interior of your garage to heat up quickly. By painting your garage a lighter color, you will allow the sunlight to reflect off the garage's walls. So, choosing a shade such as white or cream is one way to decrease the temperature in your garage.
5 Ways to Prep your Garage for the Summer
The weather in Chicago can be unpredictable and change drastically from season to season. Keeping that in mind, it may be beneficial to take precautions and make sure that your garage is ready for summer weather. There are many steps that you can take in order to prep your garage for the upcoming temperature change.
Clean up and organize your space
The items that you have out and ready to use during the winter months are most likely not the same ones that you need for the summer. For example, you might store your bikes away during the colder seasons and bring them back out when the weather gets a little warmer. The organization of your garage may vary for the same reason. An important first step in preparing your garage for summer is to clean your space, making sure that everything you want to use has been moved to an accessible location and is ready for use.
Inspect the mechanics for functionality
You can get as specific as you would like, depending on how much time you wish to spend on the mechanics of your garage. Since it also pertains to your garage's safety, this may be one of the most important items on your summer garage prep checklist. There are many moving parts that go into your garage, so you want to make sure that everything is functioning and that you test out the mechanisms.
Garage Landscaping Ideas
Maintaining the landscaping around your garage is key to boosting curbside appeal for your home. There are plenty of ways to create the outdoor look that suits your taste. Adding plants, flowers, or other outdoor elements all have the potential to beautify your garage's exterior.
Grow plants that absorb moisture
The area outside of your garage is not limited to having colorful flowers. Growing plants that are multipurpose, such as ones that absorb moisture and keep bugs away, make for pleasant porch time. Some examples of natural mosquito-repelling plants include citronellas, horsemints, marigolds, ageratums, and catnips.
Avoid plants with berries
While some bushes or trees with berries may be attractive because of their colorful nature, berries can attract bugs to the front of your home. If you do decide to include berry trees or bushes, plant them further away from your garage door so that your guests are not bothered by bugs when they come over to visit.
5 Steps to Follow When Cleaning Aluminum Siding
Spring is the perfect time of year for outdoor cleaning. You may consider cleaning your aluminum siding or garage door when it comes to freshening up your home. The task of trying to make aluminum look brand new can be simple if you follow these five steps. For those unfamiliar with the topic, aluminum is a tough material that is used for siding or garage doors. One benefit of purchasing aluminum for your home is that it requires very little to no maintenance. However, this minimum amount of maintenance still needs to be done in order to keep a long lifespan for your siding.
Prepare your proper cleaning equipment
Before you start cleaning, be sure to obtain the appropriate cleaning supplies. The first cleaner that you'll use is laundry detergent containing bleach as one of its ingredients. If mildew has formed on the siding, the bleach will help remove it over time. The second cleaning item that you'll need is a high-pressure water hose. This supply will be further explained in the next step. Other recommended cleaning items include a brush for deep crevices, protective eyewear, a hat, and a jacket in case you are cleaning your garage siding in chilly weather. If you can, be sure to choose a pleasant day to work outdoors, as the task may take some time.
Top 5 Repairs That May Make Your Garage Last Longer
By keeping up with your garage maintenance duties, you may be able to make your garage last longer. There are a number of ways to make sure that your garage space is up to date and functional for years to come. However, a few proactive tasks are more important than others.
Protect your garage door finish
This is done in hopes of preventing any scratches to the panel surface of your garage door for both visually pleasing and practical reasons. One way to protect your garage door is to apply a coat of protective sealer so that weather damage does not occur.
Conduct annual maintenance on movable parts
One option is to use a track lubrication product to ensure that the moving parts of your garage door do not rust or tighten in a short period of time. That brings up another benefit of annual maintenance checkups: Tighten any loose hinges that you find and make sure that they are bending evenly and that the track is not warped.
Roof repair
Check for cracks or holes in the roof of your garage to prevent any leaks or flooding that may cause damage to the inside.
Your City May Dictate the Size of Your Garage
It is important to understand how your location has the ability to dictate the size of your garage before you begin to come up with a plan that includes additions to property.
Understanding regulations
It may be beneficial to look into the common mistakes that can occur while building a garage before you begin the process. In order to avoid making a mistake, come up with a plan that coincides with your city's sizing regulations.
Creating a design based on restrictions
Consider building a garage that is big enough to fit your vehicles. It would be unfortunate to get halfway through your garage creation, only to discover that your design was too small to fit your cars and your storage items. For a single-car garage, an average size to go by is at least 14 by 20 feet. For a two-car garage, the measurements are typically around 20 by 24 feet.
Measuring the space you have to work with
A good first step is to decide whether it's physically feasible to fit a garage in the area in which you would like to build one. You may wish to ask your neighbors if there are any special restrictions that apply to garages in your area, as some communities require certain sizes. Local Chicago builders are usually informed with these up-to-date garage size requirements as well.
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