Fall is finally here! The leaves are changing colour, the days are getting shorter, and winter is approaching in Alberta. Preparing your home for the winter is a much-dreaded chore for many, but it’s worth it in order to keep everything properly maintained.
Don’t forget your garage as you work on getting your house winter-ready! There are a few things you can do now to make sure your garage is comfortable, secure, and that your garage door works smoothly all through our cold winter months.
Don’t Delay It!
One of the most frustrating things you can do for yourself when preparing for winter is procrastinating. As much as you may want to put it off, it will only stress you out and delay the inevitable. So, don’t procrastinate on getting your garage ready; set up a schedule and stick to it until the job is done. You’ll thank yourself later!
Our Tips on Getting Your Garage Ready for Winter
Declutter and Reduce
Decluttering your home is usually left to the springtime, but cleaning out your garage now is a great way to prepare it for the winter. With garages being the place where clutter most normally ends up, it’s not a bad idea to declutter a couple of times per year. To start, find items you don’t need or use anymore, and choose whether to donate, sell, or trash them.
Reorganize to Save Space
Once your garage is all cleaned out, it’s time to reorganize. When organizing a garage, it’s all about saving space, so make that your top priority. Wall racks and shelving will take many items out of the way and ends up saving plenty of space in the long run. Finish with a quick sweep of the floor and a check for pests, and you’re all done!
Seal Any Cracks and Add Weatherstripping
While you’re cleaning out your garage, take note of any cracks or openings. Unsealed cracks make it easy for pests to climb in and take root in your garage, so take some extra time to seal them with caulk or expanding foam.
Proper weatherstripping greatly increases the energy efficiency of your garage, lowering the costs of heating as well as air conditioning in the warmer months. Over time, your weatherstripping will become brittle and start to shrink. Weatherstripping doesn’t need to be replaced every year, but there are a few key signs showing that it needs replacing:
- Gaps in the bottom of the door
- Rubber is hard and doesn’t bend
- There’s light or a breeze coming through
If you have questions about weatherstripping, don’t hesitate to get in touch with C&W Canada Garage Doors!
Take a Look at Liquids and Chemicals
If you’re like the majority of the population, you have some form of liquid or chemicals in your garage. There are a few reasons these need to be checked before the winter. If your liquids aren’t stored properly, they’ll freeze, so put them in cabinets or otherwise temperature-controlled spaces.
You might also have some old liquids in your garage. The drastic change in temperature can cause them to expand or contract, potentially breaking their containers and creating a chemical spill. Be sure to properly dispose of old paints, car batteries, and other toxic materials.
Check Your Winter Equipment
There’s nothing worse than pulling out your snowblower after a blizzard, only to find out that it’s not working. You’ll want to check your equipment before winter hits, which makes fall a better time than ever to do so. Make sure your snowblower is in working order; check the tires and pull cord, and put it somewhere accessible so you don’t need to move your vehicle in order to get it out. You might also want to get a tune-up if it hasn’t had maintenance in a while.
Prepare Your Summer Equipment for Storage
Now that summer’s over, you’ll also need to clean and store your summertime equipment. Clean off any grass clippings on your lawn mower, and wash cutting tools with cutting tool cleaner or turpentine. If your mower runs on gas, make sure to empty it and properly dispose of the gas.
Many other outside tools like wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels will have collected dirt over the summer, so hose them down to get most of it off. If any still remains, use a wire brush to clean it off.
Add Insulation (and a New Garage Door!)
If your garage isn’t already insulated, consider installing insulation. Besides keeping you warm while you’re in the garage, insulation also makes your garage much more energy-efficient, saving you money on your energy bills.
You can also get a well-insulated garage door installed! If you’re searching for an energy-efficient garage door, C&W Canada’s got you covered. Take a look at our garage door buying guide and hunt down your perfect garage door! We can help you understand which doors are the best for insulating against cold weather and make sure your door is installed for a perfect seal.
Test All Alarm Devices
Are the alarms in your garage working? Now’s the time to test it - you should be checking all the alarms in your home at least twice a year, making fall and spring the perfect times for a checkup. You should have a fire detector as well as a carbon monoxide detector in your garage. If one isn’t working, you can try to troubleshoot or just buy a new one.
This is also a good time to consider purchasing a fire extinguisher if you haven’t already. There’s always a risk of fire in your garage or your home, so having an extinguisher nearby could save you from a major disaster.
Prepare for the Mess
With winter comes tons of snow, ice, and mud. To avoid tracking them through your home, set up mats near your garage’s exit. You can also set up a space for wet boots, shoes, mittens, and hats. Mats for underneath your vehicles are also a great idea to avoid your garage floor becoming messy.
Talk to a Professional
Whether you’re looking to replace a garage door or just searching for tips on maintenance, the experts can help. At C&W Canada Garage Doors, we want you to have the best experience with your garage, so we’re always ready to help out. Have questions or need assistance? Contact us today and discuss what our garage doors can do for you!