Prep Your Garage for the Cold Weather
Posted on October 18th, 2016
In Chicago, the weather changes quickly and drastically. Fall jumps to winter sooner than we expect. And, ideally, we can prepare our garages before freezing temperatures settle in. Doing so ensures a smooth transition into the cooler months and can save you from a variety of headaches.
Tips to Get Winter Ready
Inspect the Weather Stripping
Weather stripping helps seal off your garage from the wintery conditions like wind, rain, sleet, and snow. As time passes, this sealant can wear down or become compromised. To prevent icy air from skyrocketing your energy bill or water from damaging items in your garage, take a good look at the stripping on your garage doors. If you see any cracks or feel air leaking through, replace the weather stripping for the best insulation results.
Warm it Up
A smart way to ensure your garage door will not get extremely cold at night, making it less likely to freeze up, is to install a new heater in your garage. This will also make your garage a bit more pleasant during the long winter months and make it easier to get your car going as well.
Cover Exposed Pipes
Even if you heat your garage, it’s a good idea to cover any exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing or bursting. You can insulate exposed pipes easily by wrapping them in plastic, foam pipe wrap, or even newspapers and old towels.
Insulate Your Garage Door
Your garage loses a lot of heat just by being in contact with the outdoors. To prevent this energy drainage, one of the first lines of defense is to insulate your garage door. Foam board is the most popular option, as it can be cut to fit any size door. Place them between the frames and even double up for extra insulation.
Inspect The Door And Tracks
Watch your garage door go up and down a few times and listen for any sounds it makes as well as weird movements. For example, if you hear unusual noises during usage, or the door is getting caught in the wrong places, it means you may need some tune-ups on your door.
Make Sure The Door Seals Correctly
If you close your door during nighttime and see cracks of light shine through to the outside, you may have a problem with the seal around your door. When the seal is not working properly, there will be enough space for heat to escape and for cold air to enter. Make sure you replace any damaged or missing sections of your garage door’s seal.
Make Winter Gear Accessible
If you use your garage to store winter gear (like shovels, tire chains, ice scrapers, and holiday decorations), pull them to a more accessible space. You don’t want to have to dig through your garage during the colder months. So, making them easy to grab can help with organising your garage.
In terms of organising what you store in your garage, make sure to keep everything clear of potential water on the floor. Even if you are careful about closing your garage door or if it is nicely sealed, heavy snow or rainfall can easily seep water into your garage. Parking your snowy car or walking through the garage in snow boots can track water in as well.
So, when you move your winter gear out of storage, make sure to place it somewhere easily accessible and, if possible, off the floor. And, if you don’t already have a place to keep these items, consider these garage storage ideas to make the most of your space.
Need More Winter Tips? Contact Absolute Garage Builders
Chicago is known for its unpredictable weather throughout the year, with winter being no exception. The tips discussed in this article will help you prepare for the coming cold.
But, if your garage causes you any issues this season, rest assured that the experts at Absolute Garage Builders are always just a phone call away. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us any time.
