If you are a homeowner, you already understand that a garage is much more versatile than just a place for parking your car. After all, it can be a storage space, a workshop, a gym, or a home office. Thus, the garage is a valuable but frequently cluttered area that demands due attention and proper maintenance.
If you think that garage maintenance is time-consuming and tend to neglect it, do not worry! In this article, you will find the most common garage problems, ranging from very damaged garage doors, clutter, and lack of parking space to damaged flooring and poor lighting, as well as the best ways to deal with them. Read on to turn your garage into a more functional and ergonomic space!
Your garage door is old, rusty, noisy, and in bad shape.
The first thing that might catch your eye when you step into your garage is the garage door. Many homeowners overlook this important part of their garage. Fortunately, there are many ways to ensure a long-lasting and energy-efficient garage door.
For instance, if you are looking for the best garage door threshold seal best garage door threshold seal, it is better to contact a professional company specializing in garage doors. That way, you can be certain that your garage door will be taken care of by a professional.
You do not have enough parking space.
In spite of your best efforts to keep your garage organized, it just might not be enough to fit your car in there. Not to mention the fact that you might have other vehicles such as boats and motorbikes that you want to put in your garage.
Ideally, you should consider adding an overhead storage system. It will give you a lot of extra parking space. Do not forget about the safety measures, though! You need to make sure that your storage system is firmly attached to the ceiling.
In case there is no way for you to add a storage system, you should invest in multi-level shelving instead. It is affordable, durable, very easy to install, and can be quickly modified and fitted to any space.
You are constantly looking for lost items because they get buried under clutter.
If this is what happens in your garage, you are definitely not alone! However, there is a way to deal with it, and that is shelving. It is one of the easiest ways to keep your equipment and other things organized.
First of all, you will need to make sure that you choose the right kind of shelving for your needs. There are two main types of shelving – standard wall shelves and track shelving.
In addition to that, you can use a pegboard for organizing various tools and items. Here are a few tips on how to organize your garage with a pegboard!
- Choose the right material for the pegboard installation.
- Ensure that the frame can support the weight of tools.
- Utilize pegboard accessories. (hooks, trays)
Your concrete floor is cracked and uneven.
Garage floors are always exposed to moisture and temperature changes. Because of that, they need special care. That is especially the case when it comes to cracks, as they should be repaired immediately in order to prevent further deterioration. Here is how you can do it!
- Remove the debris from the cracks.
- Put an epoxy crack filler into the cracks.
- Let it dry for a day or two. Sand it down.
- Apply an epoxy sealer and polish it.
- Clean the floor.
- Apply a wax polish.
- Apply a floor finish.
You lack sufficient lighting in your garage.
This is a common issue that can be solved very quickly. The ideal garage lighting includes a light source and a luminaire. The first thing that you should do is choose the kind of light that would fit your garage best. The second thing that you will have to do is choose where to put the light source. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to do and should not take long!
You do not know how to effectively utilize space in your garage.
This is an issue that is primarily related to the floor plan. Unfortunately, many homeowners have no idea how to properly design their garage floor plan, but you can easily avoid this issue if you follow these simple steps!
- Draw a floor plan of your garage.
- Decide where to put everything.
- Measure the space for each tool, object, and vehicle.
- Put the items in their respective places.
- Keep things tidy by using labels and shelving.
There is not enough ventilation in your garage.
Proper ventilation is vital for both the safety of workers and the longevity of your tools. There are several ways to improve ventilation in your garage. Here is a list!
- Install ceiling fans.
- Install a ventilation system
- Install windows.
- Install wall vents.
Your garage needs proper lighting and more power outlets.
If your garage has very few power outlets, finding a place to plug in large power tools can be quite frustrating. If there is no proper lighting in your garage, you will not be able to do your job properly. Thus, you need to improve lighting and add a few power outlets! Fortunately, there are hundreds of tutorials out there that can help you do just that in a matter of hours!
In Conclusion
As you can see, solving the most common garage problems is not that difficult if you know how to do it. It just takes a bit of patience, skill, and creativity! Ideally, you should try out the solutions mentioned above or talk to a professional contractor.
Hiring a contractor can be an excellent idea if you have little to no experience with home renovation projects. It will most likely end up being a bit expensive, but if you choose the right person for the job, it will definitely pay off in the long run!
On the other hand, if you are keen on doing everything yourself, you should plan it out very carefully. That way, you will be able to finish the project in a timely manner, as well as avoid overspending on building materials.