If you are anything like the average homeowner, you probably drive in and out of the garage without much thought. Although garages are easily maintained, they should still be regularly maintained. With this in mind, below are some tips to keep it in great shape and preserve the value of your home.
Make Sure Your Garage Door Is in Tiptop Shape
Most garage doors these days have plastic components and come self-lubricated, but if you have an older garage door, you have to lubricate specific parts such as the springs, rollers, tracks and hinges at least once yearly. Use your leaf blower for getting rid of dust, grime, grit, dead insects and cobwebs. Check the rubber seal regularly to see if it’s in good condition or if it’s already worn out.
Don’t forget to regularly inspect the sensors of your garage door to ensure that it still works to prevent the door from accidentally closing when there’s something, such as a pet or kid, under it. If you notice any problem, call for garage door repair experts in Provo immediately.
Inspect the Foundation and Walls
At least twice a year, check the foundation as well as exterior and interior walls for cracks and moisture. If you spot mold or discoloration, this indicates moisture going in through the walls or roof, so you need to call a contractor for professional inspection and repair.
If you notice cracks bigger than hairline cracks, have a professional come to check them out. Additionally, if you see that one side of the ceiling seems to be dropping, your footing or foundation has settled and would need a professional assessment.
Give the Floor Some TLC
Hose down and scrub the floor at least once a year to avoid slip hazards, pockmarks and stains due to auto fluids and road salt. Hairline cracks on the concrete floor aren’t really a cause for concern, but if you see bigger cracks, you need to address them right away.
You could consider patching them up yourself with some concrete mix from the hardware store. However, take note that patched concrete won’t stick properly to the concrete slab, particularly if you pass over it daily. So, consult a concrete contractor for advice.
Be on the Lookout for Pests
Pests such as carpenter ants and termites could easily wreak havoc on the walls of your garage without you knowing about it until it’s too late. When inspecting your garage, check moist, cool and dark spots, specifically where the walls touch the foundation, for telltale signs of infestation.
Carpenter ants tunnel wood while termites eat them, so if you spot chewed up wood, you might have a termite infestation, and if you see sawdust trails, you might have a carpenter ant infestation. Get pest control specialists to inspect and treat the infestation.
Remember that your garage is still a part of your home, whether or not it’s attached to your house. Create a maintenance plan for your garage and stick to it so that you could catch issues early on before they become more serious and expensive to repair.
