Are You Concerned About Mold Spores In Your Garage?
Your garage may not be the first place you’d think of where a mold problem could develop, but mold can indeed infest your garage just like it can appear in any other area of your home. Fortunately, if you think you might have garage mold, it’s usually less complicated to eliminate it from your garage than from other parts of your house. The worst problem with removing mold ~ besides applying proper disposal methods and safety precautions ~ is making sure you get it all. If you’re talking about your whole place of residence, this can sometimes mean expensive excavating of all the surrounding areas and walls. On the other hand, locating and removing mold from your garage walls is a lot easier than detecting and eradicating mold from your entire home’s interior walls.
The strategies for thwarting garage mold are the same as stopping any other mold in your house. Mold grows in a dark, moist, unventilated environment. Therefore, you can avert mold by 1) keeping your garage dry, 2) not allowing it to be too dark, and 3) making sure it’s always well-ventilated.
Start from Scratch
If you’re about to build a brand-new garage, then build it from materials that are inhospitable to mold. First, construct a garage using metal rather than wooden studs. Metal studs will call for additional tools and skills, but a skillful and experienced contractor won’t have any difficulty building you a prime-quality garage.
As far as the siding goes, vinyl or pre-coated aluminum are thought to be optimal for garage walls. If you choose materials other than wood, you’ll both forestall the possibility of mold spores, and also keep away wood-eating pests.
Stop Mold from Growing in Your Garage Now
If your present garage is not made of metal or other mold-hindering materials, then be a bit more meticulous so you’ll prevent mold from ever getting into your garage. First, reduce the moisture content of the air as much as you can. If you wish, you can use an air dehumidifier. Your best bet is to simply keep your garage well-ventilated, opening the door (while you’re there) to air it out regularly.
You must keep all water out, so mold will never have a chance to form. Of course, water can enter your garage if there are any leaks. Accordingly, always keep your garage’s roof in good condition. Basically, allowing fresh air in, and keeping your garage well-maintained, will keep garage mold from happening. Sunlight also helps keep mold away.
Removing Garage Mold
Mold in your garage may cause respiratory problems for some people with sensitivity to it. If so, get rid of it as soon as you can. Garage mold removal is no picnic. The whole process can stir up mold spores, and can cause major irritation. Hire a licensed professional if you want the job done thoroughly.
It’s Important to Maintain Your Garage Door
A garage door is a major part of your home’s value and appearance. Furthermore, if you keep your garage door in good condition, it will also protect your garage for many years.
How long will your garage door last? If the construction materials are of maximum quality, your garage door will last much longer than average. Modern garage doors are of higher quality than garage doors of generations ago, because they’re manufactured according to stricter safety standards. For instance, an excellent-quality garage door provides a superior barrier for heat-transfer reduction. Hardware and door sections of top-quality garage doors usually offer better warranties.
Keep it lubricated. Without lubrication, the garage door springs will rust, and the coils will bind. Always keep your garage door rollers, springs, and hinges lubricated. Lubricate the springs once per year, right before winter comes. Use a reputable brand; a light coating is all that’s needed. Don’t use anything too heavy, because it will attract grime and dirt. Check on your garage door opener's main gear, too. Lubricate the main gear with white lithium grease.
Keep it balanced. Check your garage door’s balance twice a year:
1. Disconnect the garage door from the opener, so you can operate it manually. (Pull the rope down that’s hanging from the opener, to disconnect the door, so you can lift it.)
2. At about 3 or 4 feet from the floor, the garage door should balance. If there's resistance, if it’s too heavy, or if the door won’t stay up, the spring needs adjusting by a garage door professional.
3. For instructions on how to reattach the garage door to your garage door opener, read the owner's manual.
Keep it clean. Your garage door will last longer when you wash it periodically on both sides. Use a sponge and some clean water with mild dish soap. Rinse well. Include the garage door opener sensor eyes: Wash with a dry, clean cloth. Keep the space around the sensors free of cobwebs.
Keep it working.
1. Operate the garage door one full cycle (open and close), making sure it moves smoothly.
2. Check the automatic reversing garage door opener feature: When the door is on its way down, grab it, giving it a bit of resistance, to see if it reverses. If it doesn't, the opener's sensitivity needs adjusting.
3. If the door doesn’t reverse, or if you notice any other issues, hire a garage door expert.
Follow a regular maintenance schedule. Inspect the components of your garage door system once a month. Replace any worn parts, and tighten any loose bolts. If you observe any uncommon noises when your garage door opens or closes, investigate. If you see any issues with wires, pulleys, springs, or cables, hire a professional. It’s good to schedule a yearly inspection with a reliable garage door repair service.
Unless you’re an engineer, NEVER adjust the spring tension on your garage door by yourself! The garage door springs are under high tension, so if not serviced correctly, they can cause injury, and even death. The drums, cables, and the bottom brackets (which the cables attach to) all pack a lot of pressure, too. If any garage door components require adjusting, repair, or replacement, hire a qualified garage door technician. If you live in Suffolk, Virginia, consider choosing a reputable company such as Garage Door Repair Suffolk.