No matter how much work you put into your garage, it’ll never be as clean and tidy as you would like it to be. The oil, grease, and grime build up over time which causes everything from rust to mildew. Have you ever seen mold growing on the underside of a door? Or hidden inside a cabinet? If so, then you know what happens when garage flooring becomes neglected. Today’s garages are designed with efficiency in mind, with all the usual equipment and storage shelving placed out of the way. But even though these designs have been around for a while, many homeowners still struggle to keep their garages in good working order. Here are 5 ways that you can keep your garage smooth and running properly:
Make frequent inspections and maintenance a habit
When was the last time you took your garage flooring outside and raked the leaves? If you’re like many people, it was probably around the first frost. In most areas of the country, that means there’s a good chance you haven’t raked those leaves in months. That leaves behind a sticky mess in the bottom of your garage. If you don’t keep an eye on this mess and don’t regularly clean it, then it’s likely to build up into a serious maintenance issue. If you drive a car, then you’re probably familiar with the concept of maintenance. It’s something that all vehicles require regular oiling and tune-ups, and it’s something that your garage flooring too should be doing regularly. There are a few different ways to go about this. The first is to keep a small notebook and pen nearby so you can write down the maintenance items that are happening in your garage and when they occur. This will help you stay organized, and will also make it much easier to remember which items you should be looking out for.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it
With so much space in a garage, it’s easy to forget that some of it is actually unusable. This could be because the wall in between the garage and the outside is simply too low for an ordinary shelving unit, or because there isn’t enough room for a proper door on one side of the wall. When this is the case, mounting an extra shelf or two on the inside of the wall will give you a lot of extra space to spare. When you have a few spare walls to fill, you can turn your attention to the floors. The first step is to look inside each of the walls and figure out where the problem is. If there aren’t any problems, you can then check to see if there is space on the other side of the wall. If there is, then you can simply flip a coin to see which wall gets the new shelving.
Get your garage flooring oiled or spot cleaned
This one is pretty self-explanatory, as it’s the same as the above method. Every six months, clean the outside of your garage with a wire brush. This is designed to get rid of any surface-level contamination such as leaves, dirt, and other objects that have built up over time. It should also be done on the inside of the garage as well, as this is where the rust and other minerals build up. When you clean the outside of the garage, you’re also pretty much clearing the way for future maintenance.
Have an effective drainage system in place
Unlike some home lawns which are just filled with water after a major rain, the ground in your garage does not absorb water very well. This drips into your house, making the floor around your garage particularly dirty. The first step toward keeping your garage floors clean is to find out what the actual drainage system in your house is. These systems usually consist of water channels, springs, and grates. When you know where the water is expected to go, then you can make sure it gets there. If you don’t have a clear idea where the water comes in and goes out of your house, then you’re likely going to have a lot of trouble keeping your garage floors tidy. The good news is that most homes have a good drainage system in place. If you’re not aware of it, then you should check to see what is causing your garage problems.
Keep track of the dirt and grime so it can be removed
One of the most overlooked and important aspects of garage maintenance is the removal of the dirt and grime. A major cause of garage breakdown is build-up of dirt and grime, which can be removed with a damp sponge. The best way to clean the inside of a garage is to use a wire brush, as this will pick up all the oily materials and leave your brushes shining (even after you’ve used them for other projects). Dirt and grime can also build up on the outside of your garage walls, especially the bottom ones. To remove this, simply use a low- stakes wire brush and work your way around the wall. Once you’ve cleaned the inside of the garage, you can turn your attention to the outside.
Conclusion
Your garage is an important part of your home, so it’s important to take care of it so it stays in good working order. Keeping things running smoothly means keeping all the necessary equipment and tools in place where they’ll do the job. You should also make sure to regularly clean your garage flooring, and remove the dirt and grime that builds up inside. With a little bit of effort, you can keep your garage in good shape, and keep your car running strong for years to come.