Clear the Clutter – Organize your Garage
For too many of us, the garage becomes sort of a dumping ground for items that we don’t want in our house. Before long, you may find that you have less and less room to park or get out of your car. When it gets to that point, it’s probably a good idea to take some time and organize your garage. Here are few suggestions to help you clear the clutter: Start with basic cleaning. Sweep or vacuum the floors to clean an area for organizing. Be careful not to step on any loose nails or screws that may be lying around. Also, steer clear of any oil stains that are in your garage. Kitty litter makes a good absorbent for heavy oil stains or spills. While you are cleaning, make note of any spiderwebs or evidence that any creatures, such as bats, have taken up residence in your garage. During the basic cleaning, you can begin the decluttering process by tossing anything you know you aren’t going to keep in the trash. This way you don’t have to deal with it during the decluttering/decision making phase of what to toss and keep. The decluttering process will allow you to assign a value to items in your garage. We suggest using the following values for items to help organize your garage: Toss Keep Donate Sell on Ebay / Garage Sale Trash If you have space, move all the items into your driveway. It’s a good idea to create zones to sort items. Use zone designations such as car supplies, sports equipment, tools, recycle center, Ebay, etc. to help organize. Some organizers like to divide their garages into department store zones (garden, automotive, paint, etc). Once you have your items sorted into the proper categories, it’s time to assess how much space you will need to store the items back into your garage. Be sure to utilize your vertical space in your garage by using pegboards and shelving for storage space. It’s a good idea to have a lockable cabinet if you are storing any potentially harmful chemicals, especially if children are present. Once you have everything stored in it’s proper place, be sure to take any items you plan on donating to a donation center right away. Return any items you may have borrowed from neighbors or family. Any left over items, consider a garage sale or even selling on Ebay. Do you have any ideas for organizing a garage? Please share you comments and photo’s with us!
Protect your home against damage from high winds.
While Las Vegas is protected from hurricanes and tornadoes are rare for the area, we do experience some extremely high winds from powerful thunderstorms from time to time. These winds can cause serious damage to your garage, home, and property as well as put you and your family at risk. Taking a few steps to wind-proof your home can reduce the chance for damage and help keep your family safe. During high wind conditions, wind can quickly change direction and wildly fluctuate in speed. This can cause stress on all parts of a building and test the strength of construction of your home. Having a well-sealed house can help prevent damage from wind inside your home and debris that is carried by the wind. Since our specialty is garage doors, let’s start there. Garage doors (particularly two-car) are vulnerable to damage from high winds. A partially open garage door during high winds is especially susceptible. If you suspect your door is not secure, it’s probably a good idea to have it inspected by a professional. For an existing door, there are fitted bracing kits available to provide additional support. There is also the option of having a new, stronger door installed which is not only more secure, but can add value to your home as well. Your roof is another part of your home that may be vunerable to high winds. It’s important that your roof is properly secured to the walls of your home. Winds hitting the walls of your home create an uplift effect that can be strong enough to tear the roof off your house. Have your home inspected by building professional to see if specially designed connectors should be installed. Also make sure the sheathing of your roof is secure. Enter the attic to check to make sure the nails penetrate the trusses and rafters. Additional nailing may be required. Windows are the next obvious areas that wind can penetrate. For anyone whose home is exposed to high winds consistently should consider having impact rated windows installed to protect against flying debris. In extreme conditions, temporary plywood covers could be used. Make sure the doors to your home are strong and hinged properly. Glass sliding doors, and French doors should be of concern during windy times and stayed clear of during high winds. Lastly, take note of the the trees or objects that may be dislodge or broken during high wind. Stow away any yard furniture, barbecue grills, tools, toys, and anything else that could become a flying missile. If you are planning to plant new trees in your yard, make sure they are tied down and try to choose varieties that can withstand high winds. Remember, if your garage door is damaged by wind or other elements, contact the experts at Precision Garage Door for garage door repairs or new door installations.