Garage \Ga`rage”\, n. [F.] an outbuilding (or part of a building) for housing automobiles

Is your car homeless? Does the van refuse to start in the morning because you made it sleep out in the cold? This kind of vehicular abuse is rampant throughout America. Why do aunt Alice’s third set of dishes and young Tom’s unused snow skis deserve more protection than our beloved family car? Friends, this has to stop! I hereby declare August and September to be “I love my garage months”.

On the serious side, our garages need maintenance just like the rest of the home. Most garages contain important equipment and systems that easily get neglected.

I’ve included a checklist to help tackle your garage project.

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Love My Garage

Every garage is different. Some are merely a storage area for the car while others include laundries, workshops and the homes heating systems. Here are some tips for sprucing up your garage.

· Garage sale. This is usually the best place to start. Many people remove everything they want to get rid of from the garage, hold the sale in the driveway and then haul the remainder to the dump or to charity. Don’t return the rest to the garage.

· Organizers and storage. With the garage empty, it’s a good time to set yourself up for success, consider adding proper storage systems to help maximize the use of your space. Cabinets from a kitchen remodel are also a good low cost solution. Store paint, thinner and other chemicals away from the door to the house and away from the furnace or water heater. Never store gasoline in the garage.

· Overhead storage and pull-down ladders. Many storage areas in garage ceilings lack the proper framing to hold a lot of weight. Be cautious about overloading. If your garage is structurally sound consider installing a pull-down ladder for easier access. You might also consider one of the many clever ceiling mounted pull-down racks available at home centers.

· Garage doors, openers and seals. Check bolts on all hinges and connectors, tighten as needed. Lubricate chains or gears and rollers. Kits for this are available at the hardware store. If springs appear weak or broken, hire a specialist to replace them. Springs are very dangerous to work on, they need to be balanced and properly handled to avoid serious damage. Replace worn-out seals to help keep weather and insects out. Side seals are often adjustable.

· Heating and cooling systems. Replace filters and have the systems serviced regularly. Keep items away from access panels and combustion vents.

· Water heaters. Place bollards in front of water heaters to keep cars from hitting them. Draining the water heater annually to get rid of sediment can extend its life. If natural gas, keep items and cobwebs away from flame area at the bottom.

· Laundry equipment. Clean out dryer vents. Sweep from behind and under to remove lint and dirt that can be easily combustible or even used by rodents for nesting.

· Floor Paint. While the garage floor is clear, consider applying an epoxy paint to dress up the floor and make it easier to maintain. This is an affordable do-it-yourself project.

· Insects, spiders & ants. Almost everybody hates ‘em! Consider using insecticide sprays and baits. Many non-toxic, environmentally safe products are available at the hardware store or local pest control supplier.

· Electrical panel. Always make sure you have a clear path to the electrical panel in case of emergency.

· Water shut-off. Sometimes there is a main water valve in the garage, keep the area clear around it.

Courtesy of

Linnea Jones Realtor^®

Windermere Real Estate / Northeast Inc.

425-765-2211

Linnea@Windermere.com / www.LinneaJones.com