Showing posts with label home remodeling tricks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home remodeling tricks. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Eight Tips for a Supremely Organized Winter Garage


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Mountains of snow on the horizon mean that shovels, snow blowers, skis and more are about to come out of the woodwork. Prepare appropriately for the daily use of winter equipment and gear by getting your garage in tip-top shape now. An organized garage that acts as a functional storage space will keep everything you need at hand, allowing you to move through chores and errands with efficiency and ease. Optimize your garage space by following the below tips from the pros.

Plan accordingly. Before you make any move, assess your space carefully. Even if you want to do the dirty work yourself, you may want to call in a professional simply to help you create a working vision. “You want to understand exactly what your personal storage requirements are, and then design your garage accordingly to fit your needs,” says Jeff Murphy, president of Murphy and Co. Design “It’s amazing what a good design can do to the quality of life in your garage.”


Avoid general floor storage. First rule of thumb: Keep the garage floor as clear as possible. “Snow melting off your car will make anything left out wet and muddy,” says Rozalia Kiss, design manager at transForm


Work your walls. Use all the wall space available; this not only keeps things off the floor, but also leaves optimal space for your car. “Consider a wall track system to hang shovels and other tools in an easy-to-reach place by the garage door,” says Kiss. “For heavy, bulky items such as winter sports equipment, install deep garage shelving with metal stiffeners.”


Look up for general storage. Running out of available wall space? Use the ceiling. “There are many great companies that specialize in simple garage storage, including overhead storage that can mount on your current ceiling,” Murphy says.


Consider creating a gear closet. Murphy suggests creating a dedicated sports or gear closet out of a room accessed directly from the garage. “These spaces are simply a larger closet with shelves and open storage, which works great for unloading kids’ sports items right from a vehicle into a room where it doesn’t matter if it becomes wet or dirty,” he says. “This room is typically heated the same as the house.”


Hang racks for skis and snowboards. “Mounting a ski or snowboard rack on the wall is a nice way to keep the clutter down in the garage,” says Murphy. “It allows for a dedicated location to keep them off the floor and out of the way of tipping over.”


Keep sand and salt at hand. Use sliding wire baskets or install a tilt-out hamper for easy access to sand, salt and even (well-wrapped) birdseed. “This also helps to keep them protected, stored and off the floor all winter long,” says Kiss.


Install motion-sensor-activated and battery-powered LED lights. You never know when a winter storm might challenge your power, so it’s best to be prepared. “Motion-sense-activated and battery-powered LED lights help you find supplies in the event of a power outage and can be easily mounted under cabinets to illuminate countertops, and installed in drawers and closets,” says Kiss

Article source: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/11/27/8-tips-for-supremely-organized-winter-garage/ 

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

10 Tips to Winterize Your Home Now

Get ready for winter's chill and reduce energy costs by installing a programmable thermostat. (Photo courtesy of Angie's List member Bill K.) 10 Tips to Winterize Your Home Now

Get ready for winter's chill and reduce energy costs by installing a programmable thermostat. (Photo courtesy of Angie's List member Bill K.)

Fall is the perfect time to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. As temperatures begin to dip, your home will require maintenance to keep it in working order through the winter and beyond. Here are 10 tips to help you prepare your home for winter:

1. Furnace inspection: Inspect your furnace and clean ducts. Purchase furnace filters and change them monthly. Update to a programmable thermostat. Remove any flammable material from your furnace area.

2. Get the fireplace ready: Check the cap and/or screen the top of the chimney. Sweep the chimney, and inspect the fireplace damper.

3. Check doors and windows: Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points. Replace cracked glass in windows or entire windows. Remove summer screens. If you have storm windows, install them.

4. Inspect the roof, gutters and downspouts: Add extra insulation to the attic to prevent warm air causing ice dams. Check flashing to prevent water entry. Replace worn roof shingles or tiles. Upgrade with leaf guards on the gutters and downspouts extensions.

5. Service weather-specific power equipment: Drain gas from lawn mowers. Service snow blowers. Check snow shovels' condition.

6. Check the foundation: Rake away debris and vegetation from your foundation. Seal up entry points to keep out pests. Seal foundation cracks. Inspect sill plates for rot or infestation.

7. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Change detector batteries. Install carbon monoxide detectors near your furnace and water heater. Replace fire extinguishers older than 10 years.

8. Prevent plumbing freezes: Drain all garden hoses. Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.

9. Prepare landscaping and outdoor surfaces: Trim trees if needed. Plant spring bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot survive frozen ground. Seal driveways, brick patios and decks. Move sensitive potted plants indoors.

10. Prepare an emergency kit: Buy candles and matches for use during a power outage. Set aside drinking water, non-perishable food items, pet food, waterproof blankets, a battery powered radio, and a first-aid kit in a secure location.

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