My husband and I have this continuing discussion as to whether or not a garage needs to be maintained on a regular basis. I tell him that it does, and he replys “IT’S A GARAGE, HONEY.” He feels it is a catch-all, some place where things can be thrown, piled, buried, worked on etc. However, our garage is a constant source of irritation to me, because it seems like every visitor comes to the garage door instead of our front door. If you choose to tackle this issue in an article, I intend to post it on the refrigerator, provided you are not in agreement with my husband.
Signed, Thinking About Becoming a Detached Garage Kind of Wife!
Dear Detached,
Holy matrimony. I think you will want to post this article, but lets post it for the betterment of all involved.
Garages are quickly becoming the next logical extension of home. As such, functionality, safety and operation excellence are things the entire family should strive for.
Now, here are some tips to improve the maintenance/safety of your garage.
• Install a carbon monoxide/smoke detector in your garage. I am always amazed at how seldom I find detectors in garages.
• Clean your garage floor drain. I recommend cleaning your floor drain every spring and fall. Additionally, check the discharge point to insure a screen is in place over the end. Small animals will often nest in the drain pipe if the end is left open.
• Weather strip your overhead garage doors. Typically, they have vinyl strips that run around the perimeter, with a rubber seal along the bottom.
• Check the adjustment of your overhead doors to insure they are fully closing.
• Install a storm door on your garage entry door. Even though garages are not typically heated, preventing drafts from entering can improve the overall energy efficiency of your home. In addition, being able to vent your garage in warmer weather is very beneficial. The storm door will aid in this effort, while keeping your garage closed off to little animals that might otherwise enter through an open door.
• Organize your garage much like you would your kitchen. A garage should be a safe and functional place. Install a fire extinguisher, cabinetry, create a safe and solid work bench and keep dangerous chemicals out of the reach of any small children who may be playing in or passing through your garage.
• Place grit pads on the stairs leading from your garage into your home.
• As for your guests going to your garage door, if your husband does not change, maybe you can start only answering at your entry door. Visitors are like smart puppys — they can be trained.
Kaile Warren of Windham is CEO/Founder of the national handyman franchise Rent-A-Husband. Kaile is also a national home improvement expert for the CBS Early Show, HGTV and Parade Magazine and appears locally on WCSH’s 207. When not on the road or working he spends his time teaching his newly adopted white shepherd, Maintenance, how-to ... Send your questions for Kaile to editor@themaineswitch.com.