While there are quite a few people who use their garage as an extra room, or as a storage area, many are still using it for the traditional purpose of storing their vehicle. However, that’s not all they use the garage for. They also store seasonal items and other goods in there, which often leaves too little space for the vehicle. You want to make sure you are taking great care of the items you are storing, but you need to be sure your car is safe, as well.
Safe Parking
One of the biggest problems when you have a garage that is overcrowded and cluttered is finding a good and safe place to park. You need to make sure you are all the way in the garage and that you have room to open your doors.
One of the simplest ways to help ensure more safety when parking in the garage is to use a tennis ball hung from a string. When the garage door opens, the tennis ball will drop into place so when your windshield touches it on entering, you know that you have gone far enough.
It is also possible to use some PVC parking mats with raised sections. When you roll over the first bump, you know you are in the right place.
Another option you might want to consider is to utilize laser pointers. This might be a good choice for those who like tech. The laser light, placed on the ceiling, can shoot a beam toward the floor. When you drive forward, the laser comes through the windshield and hits a specific spot on your dashboard, you know you are in the right place and it is time to stop.
Protect the Car Doors
Another danger of parking in the garage is opening your doors and damaging them because you parked too close to the walls. Fortunately, you can do something about this. You should take the time to install some foam pool noodles on the wall. This is a simple and cost‑effective way to help keep your doors safe from dents.
If you have a two‑car garage with two vehicles parked close together, you could put a foam noodle onto a solid base placed between them.
Secure the Tools and Keep the Shelves Light
If you are like many people, you probably put quite a few tools and other items up on the walls. While this can be a good way to get more storage space out of your garage, you need to be careful about how you do it. You must make sure all those tools are secured properly to the walls. If you don’t, they could fall and damage your vehicle, or they could injure a child or pet in the garage.
It is always a good idea to make sure you are keeping your shelves as light as possible. If you keep placing items that are too heavy on the shelves, they could collapse. Even vibrations from within the home, such as from a washing machine, could end up causing problems for you.
Dealing with Rodents
When winter arrives, you want to be safe and warm inside. Guess what? So do the rodents. If you have insulation and heating in the garage, but you do not have proper weatherstripping, it could provide a hole where a mouse or other rodent might be able to slip into the garage. They can fit into holes that are far smaller than you realize. Check to make sure you do not have any issues with your weatherseal on the door.
You should also make it a point to check for other areas of the garage where they might be trying to come inside. If you find holes, take care of them before the rodents get inside. If they have already gotten inside, call the professionals. You can also use mothballs to help keep them away. A rodent has the potential to wreak havoc on the wiring of a vehicle.
Road Salt
Road salt is dangerous to your car, too. It helps to melt the ice from the roads, but when it gets on the vehicle, it can start the corrosion process, and the damage can set in before you realize it. Be sure to wash your car thoroughly, including beneath the fenders, so you can remove this salt.
Parting Words
Make sure you are cleaning your garage at least once or twice per year, as well. This helps to ensure you do not have too much stored there and that it will still make a good parking space for you. If you have items you do not need, give them to charity, or even hold a garage sale.
If you find that your garage door needs some help, whether it is a good tune‑up, or it needs to be changed, make sure you contact us at 905-569-9133.
We can even provide you with a custom quotation and email it to you. If you would like, we could visit your home and then help you learn more about the garage doors on the market today. We can help you find the one that will work best for you. Take some time to check out the Design Centre and image gallery, as well.
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