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Building A Custom Garage? 6 Things You Need To Do To Properly Maintain It
Sussel Builders

Building A Custom Garage? 6 Things You Need To Do To Properly Maintain It

Building a custom garage is a major investment, and routine maintenance goes a long way in maintaining the value of your new asset. While many homeowners tend to overlook their garages, doing so can prove detrimental, both to the value of the property and the garage's contents.

Curious about how to maintain your garage so that it adds to rather than detracts from the value of your home? The experts at Sussel Garages share a few tips below.

1. Clean and Inspect the Garage Door

Your garage door is the most significant, most visible component of your custom garage and, in most cases, its primary entry point. To ensure your garage door remains safe and functional throughout its lifespan, performing periodic cleanings and inspections is critical. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do:

●          Thoroughly clean the interior and exterior of the door

●          Clean and lubricate weather stripping

●          Inspect, clean, tighten, and lubricate tracks, rollers, springs, hinges, and other hardware

●          Clean and service the opener belt or chain

●          Test the alignment and operational speed of the door

●          Test the functionality of photo-eye sensors and the door’s mechanical reverse feature

●          Replace the batteries and bulbs in the garage door opener

2. Care for the Floor

Depending on how you use your garage, the floor can take quite a beating on a daily basis. And without proper maintenance, it can deteriorate faster than you’d like. At a minimum, you should clean your garage flooring twice per year, and ideally, more often than that if you use the space extensively. It may also be a good idea to seal the floor, which will help porous concrete repel moisture.

3. Inspect Windows and Doors

If you’re adding windows and entry doors to your custom garage, you’ll need to periodically inspect them to ensure they’re properly sealed and fully functional. Worn out, leaky windows and doors don’t just mar the appearance of your garage; they also compromise its energy efficiency and detract from its value.

In some cases, window and door inspections can even reveal issues with the garage’s foundation. If doors and windows appear uneven or stick when you open or close them, that may indicate foundation settling, which can be a major issue.

4.  Inspect the Structure of the Garage

It’s essential to periodically assess the structural health of your garage to ensure that everything inside it remains well protected from the elements. If the roof, walls, or foundation of the garage are in trouble, everything inside the building is at risk for damage, which is why you need to inspect for:

●          Signs of water damage near the roof and floor, as well as along the walls

●          Signs of water damage in the attic (if you have one)

●          Cracks or other types of foundation deterioration

●          Signs of roof damage that may allow water to penetrate the roof

If you identify anything questionable, it’s critical that you take steps to remedy the problem promptly to avoid further structural deterioration or damage to your belongings. An experienced garage builder can perform a more thorough inspection and advise you on any repairs you may need.

5. Take Care of Garage Door

Your garage door is, in some cases, the largest moving component on your property, so proper maintenance is essential. The first step in maintaining your garage door is inspection. Familiarize yourself with your garage door when it’s working properly. This will give you a better understanding of what parts fail to work when you notice something isn’t right.

Second, you should regularly clean the area around the door as debris will hinder its performance. Cleaning methods like sweeping away dirt and removing cobwebs help your garage door function.

Next, you will want to lubricate your garage doors tracks. The elements can significantly hinder the garage door function. Use a lubricant like WD-40 to prevent rust on the components of the track.

Lastly, another vital part of garage door maintenance is checking its balance. The most minor imbalance on your garage door creates a domino effect that may lead to expensive and complicated repairs down the road. To check the balance of your garage door, manually open it halfway and let go. Your garage door will stay in place if it’s okay. However, your garage door isn’t correctly balanced if it shifts up or down.

If this is the case, you should contact a trusted professional to recalibrate the balance.

6. Organize Your Garage’s Storage

A garage’s primary purpose is to park your vehicles safely while you’re home. However, sometimes, storage riddles a garage floor into an organized mess. The best way to organize your garage storage is by compiling similar items together.

Place your less-used items in the corners and the back, and keep your more-used things in the front where they are easily accessible. Keeping your garage organized lets you park your vehicles year-round without any issues.

Planning a Custom Garage? Let Sussel Garages Bring Your Vision to Life

If you’re thinking about adding a custom garage to your Twin Cities property, let our team at Sussel Garages bring your ideas to life. For over 100 years, we’ve proudly served the garage planning and construction needs of Twin Cities homeowners, and we’d love to consult with you on your project.

To request a free estimate or learn more about our services, give us a call today at 612-379-0949 (Minneapolis) or 651-645-0331 (St. Paul). You can also send us a message with any questions, and we’ll be in touch.

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