The weather seems great right now, but it can turn-on-dime and be cold with even ice and snow. Don’t wait until it is miserable outside to complete some much-needed garage projects. Get them done now before fall arrives.

1. Decluttering is key to keeping your garage organized and it should be the first thing you do before starting any storage preparations. Toss out garbage and those items you haven’t used in years. Garages tend to become dumping grounds for other household items so put things back where they go or throw the items away. Also, remove all paper, which attracts rodents and other pests.
2. Scrub the floor. Just like in spring, give your garage floor a good sweep and scrub to get rid of dirt, dust and grime. Doing this before winter weather comes helps decrease the amount of dirt tracked into the house. Just be careful around electrical outlets and use a squeegee to remove as much remaining water as possible.
3. Remove cold-sensitive items. There are certain items that shouldn’t be kept in the garage because, even if it’s attached to you home, temps can get frigid affecting the product’s consistency, color and effectiveness. These items include paint, cleaning products, motor oil and other vehicle fluids and household chemicals.
4. Test alarm devices. Fall storage prep a great time to test garage alarm devices like smoke, carbon monoxide and heat detectors. Also check your fire extinguisher and inspect that it hasn’t expired. Don’t have any of these devices? We strongly recommend you go out and buy them as they are essential to keeping your home and family safe.
5. Prep tools for storage. Hose down lawn and garden tools and use a wire brush to remove any caked on dirt. Clean and sharpen pruners, shears and hedge trimmer blades. Drain all gas-powered machines (lawnmowers and trimmers) and dispose of the fluids properly. Take this opportunity to tune up your mower so it’s ready to go when spring arrives.
6. Store up and away. Utilize your garage’s vertical space for storing tools, hoses, shovels, brooms and extension cords. Pegboards and shelving works great for this purpose. You can also buy specialty overhead racking to store heavier items. Or, read our previous storage tips blog for more ideas.
7. Tune up your garage door. Coat the springs and chain with lubricant, inspect the rollers to see if any need to be replaced and replace the rubber seal on the bottom of the door. The professionals at Overhead Door of Sioux City and Yankton™ can inspect your garage and tell you if anything needs to be fixed or replaced.

Checking these items off your to-do list now, will ensure you get the most out of your garage in the fall and winter. Don’t hesitate to contact Overhead Door of Sioux City and Yankton™ and we’ll get any necessary repairs done before the weather turns.