Despite garages being one of the most used spaces in homes, they are also commonly the most cluttered. A detailed spring cleaning can help to declutter what has become a dumping ground for junk that limits your ability to both park, store, and work inside your garage. We’ve put together a Garage Spring Cleaning Checklist to help you cultivate a tidier, more functional garage.

Have A Plan

Have a game plan of what you want to accomplish with this garage spring cleaning project. A checklist can help with this. Assign tasks to family members, take your time, maintain a sense of purpose, and eye towards finishing your goal. You can listen to your favorite music, podcast, or sports game to add a little more excitement to the experience.

Declutter your garage

Remove everything from the garage that’s not permanently placed there. You can sort everything into three piles: keep, donate, discard. A good question to ask yourself as you go through items is whether you have used it in the past year. If it no longer sparks joy and is simply gathering dust – toss or donate it! For discarded items, be sure to check product labels for pesticides, motor oil, solvents and other chemicals to determine best disposal methods.

Wipe down and sweep out the garage

Wipe down any shelving or flat surfaces (aside from the floor). Garage slatwall panels are very easy to clean with just a rag, but perhaps the material on your garage wall is drywall or brick. If so, just giving the walls a downward sweep with a broom will remove some of the dirt and dust that’s accumulated. Use the broom to remove any cobwebs you see as well.

Hose out your garage

Now it’s time to wash your garage floor with your garden hose and a gentle cleaner! After you’ve given everything a good scrub, you can use a clean broom to sweep the excess water out of the garage interior. Wait for all the surfaces to completely dry before putting your newly sorted items back inside.  

Clean and inspect your garage doors and opener

Next, it’s time to clean your garage door. Rinse it off with a hose and then wipe it down using a sponge, dish detergent, and water. For any window panels or inserts on the garage door, see the next garage spring cleaning tip. Be sure to attend to both sides of your garage door. If you happen to notice any damage or extreme rust to the mechanisms of your garage door opener, it’s a good idea to have the entire system inspected by a professional. Don’t hesitate to call us at 1-888-602-6550.

The Holidays are here! And nothing is more exciting at this time of year than decorating your home. And as one of the most prominent features of your home’s facade, there’s no reason your garage door can’t spread some of the Holiday Cheer too! Here are some creative tips for decorating your garage door this Christmas.

Wrap Your Garage as a Present

For those of us who do not open and close our garage door on a daily basis, this is an excellent idea! Wrap your garage door with two giant waterproof outdoor ribbons, one positioned horizontally and one positioned vertically. Cross them in the middle, and place a bow in the center. Your garage door will take on the appearance of a giant gift, wrapped up for the season. If you do need to open your garage door, remove the bow beforehand to prevent it from getting stuck in the system.

Hang a Giant Wreath

Buy or create a massive wreath using a circle of wire and artificial green garland. Spend some time adding decorative ornaments like red bulbs, faux pinecones, or whatever expresses your seasonal style. You can hang the wreath in the center of the garage door with wire. But bear in mind, this is also not the best decoration if you will need to open and shut the garage door.

Garage Door Illusion

Garage door murals are available online and can usually be found in home improvement stores. These murals are designed to be hung on the outside of the door and create the illusion that something impossible is happening inside the garage. At the holidays, murals are available that can make your garage look like Santa’s workshop or a winter wonderland. These decorations are easy to install, weatherproof, and most companies advertise that you can continue to use the garage door even when one is attached.

Twinkling Holiday Lights

Tried and true! Twinkling string lights around the opening of your garage door are an excellent decoration for the Holidays.. To add a little something extra to the lights, attach garland or exterior grade ribbon to the garage door opening as well. Not only does this string your garage door’s aesthetic with the rest of your home, but it also doesn’t interfere with the operation of your garage door.

Now your garage door is all dressed up for the Holiday season! As we head into the new year, you may be considering some upgrades for your garage door. Contact us today to find out more about your garage door options at info@adamsdoorsystems.com.

Winter is fast approaching. And with cooler temperatures already in full swing, ensuring your garage door has a tight seal is more important than ever! A weatherproof garage door keeps the cold out, and utility bills low. There are several options when it comes to effectively preventing warm air from escaping, and utility bills from skyrocketing. Let’s explore how to weatherproof a garage door together.

Inspect Your Current Garage Insulation.

Insulation plays a huge role in containing the warm air that your HVAC system generates. Ensuring both your garage door and garage walls are insulated will keep your garage warmer in the Winter. You should also inspect your garage for areas near windows or doorways that may be susceptible to cracks. Small openings will allow cool air in and warm air to get out. Luckily, these holes are often easy enough to caulk shut yourself.

Replace Worn Weatherstripping.

Over time the seal around your garage door begins to wear. Especially after an intense Winter or consistent opening and closing. Often these seals will become brittle, crack, or break. Accidental freezing can also cause the seal to rip or tear. If your weatherstripping is looking a little tired, it’s best to replace the seals before the Winter comes. If you would like to learn more about how to install weatherstripping yourself, check out our blog here.

Consider Replacing Your Garage Door

If your garage door has been around for some time, it may be time to consider replacing it. Today’s garage doors are both lightweight and energy efficient. Look for a garage door with a high R-Value, insinuating excellent thermal insulation. Consult one of our technicians to see what’s available in your area.

It’s never too late to make necessary repairs, or to invest in proper winterizing solutions to help keep the warmth inside where it belongs. If any of these garage weatherproofing tips seem too hard to fix on your own, let us do the hard work for you! Contact us for your garage door needs today at info@adamsdoorsystems.com.

Springs are an essential part of the garage door operating system. When springs fail, not only does it mean your garage door will be unusable, but they also pose a huge safety risk. If you have noticed a popping sound when your garage door is opening, this may indicate your springs need replacing. Luckily, these parts CAN be replaced, safely, when potential issues are caught early. That being said, we still recommend hiring a professional to handle the job.

In the event you do decide to replace springs on your own, you should be well versed in all the different aspects of garage door springs. For starters, did you know there are two types of garage door springs? Torsion and Extension. They look the same as any other spring you’ve seen, the main difference being that torsion springs work by twisting, while extension springs expand and compress.

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are used to counter balance and assist in the opening and closing of your garage door. They come with a standard inner diameter size of 1.75” or 2”. Torsion springs can be made of galvanized or oil-tempered steel. We recommend using oil-tempered springs as they maintain their tension longer than galvanized steel. However, oil-tempered springs can rust. 

Extension Springs

Garage door extension springs run along the door’s horizontal track and help to open and close your garage door as the springs stress and compress. Extension springs are manufactured specifically for the height of a garage door.

Which Spring Is A Better Choice?

Hands down, we recommend torsion springs! Not only are they more efficient, but extension springs operate independently of one another. This means one side of your door could lift at a higher rate than the other. Torsion springs also lost a lot longer than extension springs; anywhere from 5,000 to 500,000 cycles! So given that they’re better in terms of safety, efficiency and longevity, torsion springs are the clear winner.

Are your garage door springs in need of replacing? Contact our seasoned team of professionals at info@adamsdoorsystems.com today!