Spring Clean Your Garage

Gear Up for The Great Garage Clean Out

Pop Quiz!

Which of these best describes your garage at this very moment:

#1. A tidy, HGTV-ready paradise.

#2. A looming fire hazard- mountains of Christmas cardboard and shipping boxes have overtaken the pathway we once had from our car to our entry

#3. Ha! A garage is for storing cars? Not here. We’re lucky to shove around the bikes and hunting gear to spare enough room in the winter for the riding lawnmower.

#4. Riding lawnmower? Haven’t seen it. OH! You mean the squirrel house under the bag of clothes I meant to take to goodwill last spring. Is it time to mow already?

If you’re a #1, good for you. We can’t wait to see you on TV! 

For the rest of us normal folks, it’s time to gear up. Your garage needs some TLC this spring and this beautiful week is just the right time to get it done. 

As you raise the door and shine a little sunshine on the work ahead, don’t stress. 

Reclaiming your garage is easier than you think. Plus, there’s nothing like the satisfaction of a good “before and after”, right?

Spring Clean Your Garage in Five Easy Steps

#1. Organize Your Garage

That first 50 degree day and my kids start asking 

“Can I go outside?”

“Mommy can I have some chalk?”

“Where’s my bicycle?”

Which leads me to asking…where did we put all that stuff last fall?

Know the feeling? Let the spring cleaning begin.

First step: toss and donate what you don’t need. 

It’s daunting to come face to face with those “I’ll Deal With This Later” boxes. Trust me. Take it one at a time and unpack rubbermaid containers. It’s easier to organize when you aren’t saving space to accommodate things you no longer need.

Once you’ve sorted through everything, start organizing!

Here are three tips to get you started: 

• • Make it Safe: Hang up shelves for tools you don’t want little hands playing with. 

• • Easy & Organized: Cubbies make it easier for kids to put things away when they’re finished playing
  • Get It Off The Floor: Install bike racks and hose reels to maximize floor space.

Never again will you scramble to find lost toys and tools. And when you’re done, you might even have room to store the car, too! 

#2. Say Goodbye to Furry Friends

Expecting company for Easter? Let’s keep it traditional. By that I mean: humans only.

Unfortunately, this time of year is prime time for furry friends. Squirrels, mice, and chipmunks love nesting in garages.

If you’ve noticed your things have been gnawed through, or if you’ve found droppings throughout your garage, you know they’ve stopped in for a visit. 

First step: Identify how they’re getting in. This isn’t always easy- mice can fit into openings as small as ¼ an inch! But sealing up any gaps and cracks you can see is a great start.

Check for:

• • Gaps in your foundation
  • Garage doors with old or faulty seals 
  • Siding peeling away from your home

Found the entry point? Great! Next step is closing the gaps and denying new rodents access. 

Wondering when you should take care of the issue and when it’s time to call a professional? 

When to DIY: If the gaps in your garage walls and siding are small, you can seal them yourself. 

But don’t make the mistake of using foam alone: mice can easily chew through foam, so it’s not a lasting fix. Foam needs to be accompanied by a high quality sealant for maximum prevention. 

When to call a professional: Every home’s foundation has some cracks. But if they’re big enough to let mice in? It’s time to call a pro. Large cracks in your foundation won’t just let rodents in…you’re also inviting water.

Already noticed water in your basement? Read more here to find out the best approach for fixing it. 

Damaged siding can also be an entry point for unwanted guests. If your siding looks worn or has visible cracks, it’s time to spruce things up. Call us so we can get you on our schedule before your garage turns into Pennsylvania’s Best Squirrel Hotel. 

Make this the last spring your garage offers open vacancy to pests. Get it sealed- and make sure your exterior is protecting your home.

#3. Waterproof and Protect Your Garage Floor

Changing up the look of your garage floor might not be a top priority. But enhancing durability and waterproofing the concrete in your garage? That’s an improvement worth the investment.

Self-epoxying your garage floor will revitalize your floor and enhance durability. And you can do it yourself!

Follow these three steps to self-epoxy your garage floor: 

1. Clean the floor. Move everything out of the garage, and thoroughly clean the garage floor, clearing it of any mud and debris.
2. Choose the right epoxy. Water based epoxy is the best choice for homeowners. Others may release solvent fumes, making them unsafe to use without respirators. Make sure to buy enough for two coats!
3. Apply the epoxy. Most epoxys will harden after two hours. Epoxy is like a thick paint, so prep prep prep BEFORE you open anything!

#4. Brighten Your Garage

What do you use your garage for?

Just storage? Or is it another room of your home?

Adding more light to your garage makes a world of difference- especially to a multi-functional space. Good light can transform your garage from gritty to a workshop that inspires.

First focus on overhead lighting. It will help you find tools in the evening, get groceries inside without tripping, and maximize your garage’s overall functionality.

Next: Task lighting. Additional lighting makes small equipment repairs and home projects so easy: 

Need help running extra wire or installing boxes for your new lighting? We can help! Give us a call at 570-345-0406 to talk to Vern. 

#5. Add Heating for Use Year Round

Reward your spring cleaning with a new upgrade. 

You use your garage year round, so why not make it possible to work in it year-round, too?

Adding in heating for winter means you don’t have to save projects for the spring. Plus, it’s nice to have another place to enjoy when cooped up during our snow days. 

While looking for heating, keep in mind not every fuel type is right for your garage. Good ventilation and proper installation is crucial to keeping your home safe. After you do some research, call a professional before committing to a heating system.

Worried about permits? Our team doesn’t just help with installation. We navigate permits and inspections for you.

Congratulations on Your New- Clean- Garage!

Any spring clean project deserves a celebration. 

Crack out the lemonade and lawn chairs, leave the garage door open, and watch as the neighbor’s drive by in admiration of your sparkling achievement. 

Or simply admire the fact you can pull the van in and unload groceries now. 

Either way, enjoy the feeling- you’ve earned it!

Until next time, happy spring cleaning.

Jenny Martin

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