Month: November 2018

Did the recent snowfall catch you off guard?   Don’t worry, there is still time to get your garage prepped and ready before old man winter really comes to town.  After you shovel out from this storm, keep up the momentum and make the simple changes listed here so you are ready for the next one.

Prep and Organize

Once you have cleared your cars and any other large items out, give your garage a good sweeping.   You’d be shocked at the amount of debris you track in over the summer months.  Check the exterior for any holes or areas that critters could come in and find a warm home over the winter.   Plug them up so you don’t find any chewed cords or items come Spring.  Examine windows or doors for air leakage and consider applying some weather stripping to keep those seals tight.  This is important if you have a door that connects from the garage to your home to keep those pesky drafts out.

This is a great time to examine the track, springs and mechanics of your garage door opener.  Make sure nothing is in the way of the beam that stops the door in case of an emergency.  We don’t suggest you attempt to fix the springs yourself.   The tension on this item is high and accidents can occur in seconds.  Seek out a professional if you think an area needs adjusting.

 Now you can organize the items you need to store.  If something can be hung to utilize wall space, go in that direction.  Sports gear, gardening items and hoses can all hang securely, freeing up floor space.  Swap out your summer gear and have your winter items at the ready.   Put your shovels, ice scrapers, sleds and any snow sports equipment where you can access it easily without having to climb over a patio chair.  Be sure to check over your snow-blower, start the engine and make sure you have the proper gas to last all winter.

Beat the rush and stock up on salt or washer fluid (which is safe for garage storage) for the winter.

If you have the room, set up a snow station that has hooks for snow covered coats and hats, a tray for wet boots and a non-slip mat to ensure you don’t fall into a slushy mess.

A Word on Liquids 

If your summer to-do list had you painting or staining, any of those leftovers should be kept in a more stable climate.  Same for any weed killers or other liquid lawn products.  The cold weather and possible freezing of these items can cause them to separate or become ineffective.  Find a safe area in your basement or a little-used closet to store these items.

All done! 

Now that your garage is all prepped you can relax inside with a hot chocolate and cross your fingers for a mild winter!

This post first appeared on https://www.abedoors.com

If you have children, you want to protect your little ones from accidents and injuries. The home can have plenty of risks that you wouldn’t even think about, so childproofing your house will significantly improve their safety.

One critical step in making a safer home for your family is childproofing a garage. Discover what you can do to keep your children safe from garage-related injuries.

Is My Garage Safe for My Children?

Most garages pose inherent risks to children, such as vehicles, concrete floors, and outdoor supplies. You want to keep your child away from these dangers as much as you can. Before you change anything in your garage, look at its current state. Evaluate your garage’s safety by asking yourself these questions:

• Can my children reach the chemicals and tools I keep in my garage?
• What about less obvious risks like garbage, pet food, and gardening materials?
• How often do I maintain my garage door?
• Do I keep my garage as clutter-free as possible?
• How easily can my child get into and out of my garage?
• Do I lock my vehicles whenever I’m not using them?

How Do You Childproof a Garage?

Now that you have an idea of where to start making your garage safer, you can take the steps to childproof it. Consider strategies like:

• Storing chemicals and other dangerous substances out of reach. Remember that some children will try to use stools and counters to reach these items. Put them up as high as possible or lock them in a cabinet. If you use a locked cabinet, keep the key far away from your children.
• Adding a Dutch door to your garage exit. Close the bottom half of the door and leave the top half open to let fresh air in or transfer groceries.
• Getting rid of clutter. Many of us use our garages to store tools and supplies, but these items often end up all over the garage space. Use storage to keep your clutter away from places where children can trip over them.

What Can I Do to Practice Garage Door Safety?

Automatic garage doors can cause injury if you don’t take the utmost care. If you have a garage door opener, keep it secure at all times. Many kids get excited to open and close the door like a toy. When they try to do this, they can get caught in the door itself or in moving parts. Test your automatic door’s sensitivity to objects as small as two inches high so little fingers and toes don’t get hurt.

Install a New Garage Door to Protect Your Child

Garage door technology always finds new ways to make your garage more secure. Check out our inventory of residential garage doors today.

This post first appeared on https://customoverheaddoors.net

We’ve all been there—it’s Thanksgiving and the dining room table is positively packed with boisterous family and friends. It never seems to matter how big your table is or how many extra chairs you bring in from the garage. Between the delicious food and the visiting bodies, there is just never enough space.

While we’re talking about space, let’s talk about what to expect when you get a new garage door. Now, garage door installation is actually done from the inside. The garage door is put together like a puzzle, starting from the bottom and working up one section at a time as each panel is fit into the track. As a result, our technicians need enough space to rotate and lift the length of the door. They also need access along the sides to install the track. If your track is not accessible due to clutter, our technicians are forced to try to install your door on an angle, which isn’t a great idea for a myriad of reasons.

We all use our garage for storage, be it extra chairs for the holidays or tools for lawn care. However, before you have your new door installed, you might need to take a look at your garage and remove some things that will be in the way. If your garage is stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, if you can’t fit your car in your garage, then our technicians won’t have room to install the new door either. Before you get ready for the holiday or a new install, make sure everyone has the room they need.

This post first appeared on https://www.abedoors.com