If you’re like many homeowners, you cruise in and out of your garage without giving it much thought. While your garage is low-maintenance, it’s not a no-maintenance part of your home. For today’s post, we wanted to shed some light into the areas you may not have considered for maintenance within your garage. With winter just around and the corner, now is the best time to get your garage ready for winter weather!
Here are five tips for preserving your home’s value by keeping your garage in top shape.
1. Keep your garage door running smoothly
Most newer garage doors come self-lubricated or with plastic parts that need no oil; however, older doors with metal rollers, hinges, and tracks will need to be lubricated and oiled annually to maintain peak performance. For automatic garage doors, regularly test the door’s sensors to be sure they still prevent it from closing if something is in the way.
In addition, you’ll need to regularly check the rubber seal on the bottom of your garage door. Exposure to the harsh weather in the summer and winter can cause the seal to harden or chip away, allowing the elements, particularly water, to seep under your door.
Finally, if your door hits the ground too forcefully, jarring all the parts, crushing the rubber seal, or allowing light to peek through at the bottom when the door is at rest, you are going to want to adjust the travel line. To make these adjustments, use a screwdriver to alter the travel limit adjustment located on the door opener’s control box.
2. Keep your garage floor clean
Hose down your garage floor annually to prevent slip hazards, stains, and pockmarks caused by road salt and auto fluids. If there’s a serious trip hazard because of concrete that’s crumbled or separated, take action. A licensed contractor, like MDV Remodeling, can provide an estimate to repair or replace your slab.
Experts disagree on whether to treat a garage slab with a sealant, but garage floor sealants protect the concrete, prevent discoloration, and are easier to clean than bare concrete. Do-it-yourself sealants for an average two-car garage cost about $800 to $1,200 and need reapplication every three to five years. Professional applications may cost between $1,500 to $2,000 and usually do not need reapplication.
3. Monitor your garage walls and foundation
Inspect interior and exterior walls and the foundation twice a year for moisture and cracks. If you see discoloration or mold, moisture is seeping in from the roof or the walls. This requires immediate attention and should be addressed by a licensed contractor.
Wall and foundation cracks smaller than a quarter-inch wide that aren’t causing water damage are typically harmless. However, anything larger than a hairline crack is something to be concerned about. In addition, if one side of your ceiling appears a little lower than the other, this is a clear indication that the foundation or footing has settled. Typically, these types of structural concerns require an expert evaluation.
4. Clean interior doors and gutters
Once a year, clean and inspect the interior door. Make sure the door is properly weather-stripped and that the threshold seal fits snugly against the bottom of the door. Most building codes require the door allowing entry to your home to be fire-rated and self-closing. If the door is damaged or the self-closing mechanism has failed, repair or replace it.
If your garage has gutters, clean them every spring and fall and inspect them for damage. While you’re at it, check your roof for damaged or missing shingles or tiles.
5. Watch for pest invasions
Insects like termites and carpenter ants can furtively damage your garage walls. Inspect dark, cool, and moist spots, especially where garage walls meet the foundation, for borings from carpenter ants or termites. If you see trails of sawdust (carpenter ants) or chewed wood (termites), call in a pest-control expert for an inspection and treatment.
If you’ve conducted a thorough inspection of your garage and realize that you have a need for preventative and/or corrective measures, reach out to the experts at MDV Remodeling for a fast free estimate!