Garage Maintenance in the Fall that Will Save You Headaches in the Winter Winter is just around the corner so it is the perfect time to get your garage in shape for the colder months ahead. Although autumn can be one of the busiest seasons for homeowners preparing for winter, it’s also the best time to take advantage of the moderate weather to repair any damages before the first frost sets in. Taking preventative steps now before problems arise, and while the weather is still tolerable, can save you time, money and the headache of bigger issues down the road.anizeClear out and organize the contents of the garage. Check for concrete damage, mold, bugs, or any other issues.Put away any summertime items that are no longer being used. Also drain and winterize anything that could be damaged by cold or freezing temperatures.Drain unused fuel from gas-powered equipment such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and chain saws stored in the garage.Check to see that all of your snow equipment is up and running.
Arrange your snow cleaning gear. When snow arrives you’ll want to have shovels and snow blowers where you can get to them.CleanFall is the best time of year to wash or rinse off your siding. Vinyl siding may be washed with a mild soap and water mixture to remove dirt and dust. Hose down your garage floor to prevent slip hazards, stains and pockmarks caused by road grime and auto fluids. Concrete may be cleaned with a soap and water mixture but oil stained floors will require a strong solution of degreaser.After leaves have fallen, clean out the gutters and downspouts, flush them with water, inspect joints, and tighten brackets if necessary. While you’re at it, check your roof for damaged or missing shingles. Also clean leaves and debris from around garage foundation. LubricateSpray overhead door lubricant on the rollers and track of your overhead door. While you’re at it spray the hinges on your walk-in door. This will ensure quiet and smooth operation in the future.Check the seals and weather stripping around your garage door to help keep cold air out of the garage and prevent water and moisture from entering.
Replacing torn or missing weather stripping will also prevent mold, rot, and insect infestation.Test the garage door's sensors to be sure they still prevent it from closing if something-like a small object or pet-is in the way.By taking a few proactive steps this fall, you will be prepared for whatever winter brings Spring Garage Cleaning and Maintenance If you’re like many homeowners, you cruise in and out of your garage without giving the space much thought. While your garage is low-maintenance, it’s not a no-maintenance part of your home. Here are a few tips for preserving your home’s value by keeping your garage in top shape.Trim branches as needed if they are rubbing against roof or overhangs to prevent damage to shingles. Clear off any sticks and leaves that have accumulated over the fall and winter seasons.Remove weeds or shrubs growing on or close to exterior walls. Branches and shrubs can provide a pathway for insects, cause excess moisture to rot your exterior surfaces and also cause mold and mildew to develop.
Check roof for missing, cracked or broken shingles. For safety reasons consider hiring a professional to take care of necessary repairs.Clean gutters and downspouts and make sure water is directed away from the building.Most new garage doors come self-lubricated or with plastic parts that need no oil. But if your garage is older lubricate overhead doors once or twice a year by using a silicone spray. Spray silicone on the tracks, rollers, hinges and spring bearings. This will enhance the overall operation of the door and extend the life of the parts. Use a leaf blower to blast all the grit, grime, dust, cobwebs, and dead bugs from the door’s parts. Occasionally check the rubber seal on the bottom of your garage door. If it’s cracked or broken, replace it by taking off the old gasket and sliding a new one into place.Use an ordinary long-handled car washing brush that fastens to your hose, available at your auto supply store. This brush lets you wash the siding just like you wash your car.
If mildew is a problem try using a solution of 1/3 cup powder laundry soap, 2/3 cup household cleaner, 1 quart of laundry bleach and ¾ gal of water. I f stubborn stains persist the local hardware store carries many types of siding cleaners. Don’t forget to protect shrubs from contact with cleaning agents.Hose down your garage floor to prevent slip hazards, stains, and pockmarks caused by road salt and auto fluids. To clean soiled and oil-stained floors use a solution of degreaser available from hour hardware store.Spring is just around the corner and seasonal preventative maintenance will keep it looking good and function well, saving you lots of headaches in the future. Winter De-icing Chemical Warning De-icing Salts and ConcreteAt Affordable Construction we always recommend not to use de-icing chemicals on your new driveways, sidewalks and garage floors for at least a year. De-icing chemicals are one of concrete’s worst enemies, and in all reality you should never use it on your concrete.
Unfortunately we can’t control what the City puts on our streets and highways. Street departments use de-icing chemicals all winter long and our vehicles under carriage and wheel wells are full of it. This dangerous mix then melts leaving a harmful mess of chemicals all over your garage slab and driveway. We recommend that this harmful and toxic mess be shoveled out of your garage and off your driveway and placed back where it came from, your street or alley. Believe it or not, while concrete appears to be a very dense material, it is in fact quite like a blotter. It can and does absorb water. When you spread de-icer on your concrete it dissolves the snow and ice and makes a salt water mush. It an cause concrete to become more saturated with water than it would otherwise. The presence of this extra water in freezing conditions can spell trouble. The volume of water increases by 9 percent when it freezes within the concrete matrix. The pressure of the growing ice crystals can cause the surface of the concrete to fail.