Winter is coming, and now is the perfect time to get ready for the cold months. In the Chicago area and DuPage County, the weather can abruptly change, and temperatures can vary wildly from day to day. Because of these frequent changes, anything can happen in your garage during the winter months. Here are some ways to prepare your garage for winter so that it will still be in working order by spring:

Get Rid of Mice in Your Garage

During the winter, mice tend to seek shelter inside houses and garages, often entering through holes in the home that have not been covered. If mice get into your garage, there is cause for concern. They can cause serious health problems, as they are very unsanitary. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep mice away from your garage this winter:

• Spread mousetraps by the walls of your garage or near a suspected access point, using cheese or peanut butter as bait.
• Spray mouse repellant around the outside of your garage.
• If you do not want to use chemicals to keep mice at bay, you can mix one fourth of a cup of laundry detergent and one tablespoon of hot pepper sauce in one gallon of water, then spray this mixture around the outside of the garage.
• Use compound or wood caulk to cover up any holes. This will keep mice from entering your house.
• If you would like to help preserve the environment, you can use ultrasonic mouse repelling devices inside your garage. Humans cannot hear the sound that these repellers make, but the sound is painful to mice, keeping them away from the area where the sound is produced.

Throw Away Any Gasoline

It is not a good idea to keep gasoline in your garage. If you do have some containers containing gas, it is important to know the following facts about the risks of gas explosion:

• A very low volume of gasoline inside a container presents a higher risk for explosion;
• Low temperatures also produce higher explosion risks; and
• Aged gasoline is a massive risk.

An explosion can occur when gas vapor from the can comes in contact with a source of ignition, such as a spark or a flame. The flame travels back into the can through the spout, and the mixture of gas and air inside the can may ignite and explode.

Heating and Insulating Your Garage

Heating your garage with a forced-air garage heater or an infrared tube heater will allow you to continue using this space during the cold winter months. However, it is important to make sure your garage walls and ceiling are insulated; otherwise, you will be wasting energy and money.

Many forced-air unit heaters cost around $600, and infrared tube heaters cost around $1,000. Infrared tube heaters typically cost less to run, so they may result in greater savings over time. Infrared heaters should be installed at least seven feet above the garage floor and hang down at least four inches from the ceiling. All objects should be at least three feet away from the heater to reduce the risk of causing a garage fire.

The installation details for forced-air heaters are not as specific as they are for infrared tube heaters. Forced-air heaters are typically placed in the corner of the garage, close to an electrical outlet and gas line. Depending on the unit, there may need to be a certain amount of space between the heater and the garage’s walls and ceiling.

Contact Blue Sky Builders, Inc.

During the fall, you are likely trying to figure out your checklist of what needs to be done to prepare your garage for the upcoming winter. If you have any questions about how to keep your garage in order, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is ready to help. Based in Downers Grove, we have over 38 years of experience in the garage sector, and our garage experts can provide you with the assistance you need. Please contact us at 630-852-8485 today. To check out our work, please visit our gallery.

Today is November 1st, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Families throughout the Chicago area and DuPage County are planning their get-togethers with extended family, and Thanksgiving meals are being planned. Even though most families have some plans on Thursday, November 23rd, there are some people who cannot afford a Thanksgiving dinner. For many years, communities and organizations have come together to help those in need have a better Thanksgiving experience. These groups raise money to provide Thanksgiving meals, as well as shelter and meals for the future. In order to raise money for Thanksgiving dinners for those in need, some families have even gone above and beyond to convert their garage into a charity event.

Garage Sales for a Cause

You can always convert your garage into a place to sell your unwanted items, and it is up to you to decide how you want to allocate your earnings from a garage sale. Since Thanksgiving is coming up, you may want to consider donating the money made from a garage sale to a charity to help others in need. You can also send a message on social media to extended family and friends and ask them what they would like to donate to the charity garage sale. If you get most of your family and friends to join you, then you will have plenty of items to sell and potentially make more money for the charity of your choice.

What Should Go Into a Charity Garage Sale

If you have some old clothes that you do not wear anymore, then you can sell those items to make money for your charity. Since it is already the beginning of November, many people are also starting to think about their holiday shopping, and it might be a good idea to sell the Christmas and holiday decorations that you do not use anymore. You can also consider adding the following to your charity garage sale:

• Flower arrangements;
• Books;
• CDs and music albums;
• Toys and games;
• Jewelry;
• Furniture and bedding; and
• Kitchen appliances.

What to Do if Everything Is Not Sold?

While you may sell most of the items in your garage sale, it is likely that some unsold items will be left over. Whatever you do not sell can be donated to the cause you are raising money for or another local charity. A few other suggestions include:

• Setting up another charity garage sale in the future;
• Considering bulk sales of unsold clothes; and
• Selling your unsold electronics to recycling companies.

Call Blue Sky Builders, Inc. Today

Thanksgiving is meant to be a holiday that brings people together for good food and good laughs. It is always important to help others have a good Thanksgiving as well. Hosting a charity event can take place anywhere. If you have enough space in your garage, then that is one of the best places to host such an event. Located in Downers Grove, Illinois, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has over 38 years of experience in the garage sector, and will always go above and beyond to service your garage needs. Please contact us at 630-852-8485. To check out our work, please visit our gallery.

The fall is a wonderful time of the year, where the pumpkins are fully grown, the leaves are changing to beautiful colors, and we are making way for winter to arrive. In the Chicago area and the DuPage County suburbs, the weather will change very abruptly, from warm weather and sun, to cooler weather and a breeze, to overcast skies and rain, to cold days and snow. You will be preparing for the holidays soon enough, but it is a good idea to clean your house before the weather quickly changes. To have peace of mind for your garage during the cold season, you should ask yourself the following questions:

When Should I Clean Out My Garage?

Now is the best time to clean out your garage to prepare for winter. This is a great opportunity to get rid of extra toys and kitchen appliances and give them to people who would like to have them. It is a good idea to start looking for things that you do not want and set them aside to either put up for a garage sale or donate to a local resale shop. Depending on the quality of the unwanted extras, you will need to evaluate whether they are still safe to give to others, or if you should safely dispose of them.

Is Fall the Best Time to Clean Out Gutters?

It is important to clean your gutters at least twice a year, during the fall and spring. If they are not cleaned regularly, water tends to build up in gutters, finding another path and often leaking into the walls and ceilings of the house. During the winter, ice-damming is a major problem that can occur when frozen water is blocked, causing it to push up against the roof and work its way under your shingles, likely destroying the wood, causing more leaks, and costing you a fortune. This issue can be easily resolved by cleaning out your gutters before winter arrives.

How Can I Keep Animals Out of My Garage?

One of the worst things that can happen to you in the winter is finding that a furry creature has created its own living space in your garage. During the fall, it is best to check your garage for any needed repairs, so that you can discover any overlooked damages, such as broken windows or holes that lead into the garage. It is also best to remove any food in your garage, since animals are often attracted to food. Your garbage cans should have tightly sealed lids to keep animals from getting in.

Can I Caulk My Windows During the Fall?

Since your home’s heating system is less likely to be needed in the fall than in the winter, now is the perfect time to caulk your windows. Caulk adheres better in warm temperatures, so it is best to caulk the windows now before the temperature drops. If your windows are not caulked in the winter, cold air will likely come through, and your heating system will have a harder time doing its job to keep you warm during this bitter cold season.

What Should I Do About My Driveway?

If you have not done so already, you may want to consider preparing your driveways and walkways for the upcoming winter season. It is a good idea to refill any cracks and joints in the driveways and walkways with a polyurethane sealant to keep any water from traveling under the driveway, causing lifting and cracking once the water freezes. If your driveway is made of asphalt, you will need to clean the driveway with a degreaser to get any debris and other unwanted particles out of cracks that you may have in your driveway. Filling in your driveway is best when the fall weather is cooler, allowing the sealant to dry faster.

Contact Blue Sky Builders, Inc.

Trying to keep up with the tasks that need to be done before winter may seem overwhelming. With Blue Sky Builders, Inc. by your side, you can easily plan for your autumn cleaning. We have 38 years of experience in roof replacement and garage renovation, and we can efficiently answer any questions that you may have. If you need assistance with your garage, or if you need any tips on how to organize your fall cleaning process, please contact us at 630-852-8485. Please check out our gallery to see the type of work that we do.

In the Chicago area and the DuPage County suburbs, the weather changes frequently and, at times, dramatically, from nice sunny days, to severe thunderstorms, to snow blizzards and polar vortexes. These sudden changes in the weather can be the source of problems with your garage’s roof. The age of your roof can also cause issues, such as curling and buckling of shingles. To have a better idea of when to replace your roof, here are some questions to ask:

How Long Does My Roof Last?

The age of your roof is a big determining factor of time of replacement. Typically, a roof will last between 20 and 25 years with no issues. After the roof is at least 20 years old, there will be signs that the roof will need to be replaced, as there will likely be places where the roof might be sagging, or it might show signs of water damage or leakage. When the roof is seeing its last days, there may be dried out spaces or cracks. There might also be a break in the roof for the sun to shine in.

How Do I Know if My Shingles are Curling?

The best way to know if you have any issues with curling or buckling shingles is to view the slopes of the roof that get direct sunlight and to see if there are any shingles with curls or missing granules. If you find any signs of curling, then your roof is probably too old and needs to be replaced. If you had recently replaced your roof, signs of curling can show that there may be problems with your roof, in which case you should contact a roofer to repair the issue.

How Will Weather Affect My Roof Valleys?

Roof valleys are extremely important. Snow and rain will hit the roof and then flow through the roof valley into the gutters, ensuring that there is no leakage or buildup on the roof. If the roof valley’s shingles are missing or loose, then it is time to consider a new roof, since issues with the roof valleys can lead to roof leakage. Leaks can easily be caused by water flowing through the opposite side of the roof valley or from wear and tear from water, snow, or ice buildup on the roof.

Contact Blue Sky Builders, Inc.

The idea of replacing your roof can seem very daunting. The first few questions that you may have typically include the cost of roof replacement, the trustworthiness of the roofers, and the timetable of the roof replacement. With Blue Sky Builders, Inc. by your side, you do not have to worry about anything, as we have 38 years of experience with roof replacement and garage renovation. Since we are passionate about what we do, you can count on us for anything. If you need to have your roof replaced, and/or if you have any further questions, please contact us at 630-852-8485. If you would like to see examples of some of the work we do, check out our gallery.

Fall is one of the most wonderful times of the year, where the leaves are changing colors, the weather is getting cooler, and pumpkin spice flavored beverages are becoming more popular. This is a great time for everyone, but there is one small problem: that annoying animal that can leave an unwanted odor in your garage around this time of year. If you spot a skunk near your house, you will want to do anything you can to keep it from leaving an odor in your garage. If you are experiencing such a problem, here are a few tips on how to keep these annoying creatures away:

1. Seal Any Holes that You Find – Skunks like to burrow in areas of your house that may be difficult to find. It is important to know that several places under the house, deck, and yard could be grounds for a skunk to create a living space. The best tools to use when covering any possible holes or potential hiding spaces include solid metal flash wire and screening.

2. Keep Your Garbage Safe – Any garbage lying around in your yard could be grounds for a habitat for skunks. It is important to keep garbage in a covered bin so that skunks will not be attracted to the smell. This will not only keep your yard and garage area looking nice and clean, but skunks will have a harder time calling your place their home.

3. Use Repellents – There are many ways to keep skunks at bay. Some of the most common home remedies include water infused with boiled cayenne pepper, onions, and jalapeno peppers that can be sprayed on skunks. However, if you do not have a lot of time, or you do not have these products, then some other repellents include mothballs, ammonia-soaked rags, and peppermint.

Contact Blue Sky Builders, Inc.

Skunks are not fun to have around your house. We hope that these tips will work well for you and help you enjoy your fall a little more. We understand that you have worked hard to maintain a clean home, and we also understand that you do not want your house to smell like a skunk. If you are having problems with skunks invading your garage, or if you have any further questions, pleasecontact us at 630-852-8485. If you would like to see what types of garages we have built, please check out our gallery.