Following the devastation that Hurricane Harvey has brought to the Houston area, the news has been filled with images of flooded streets and homes. One particular video from a local news station caught our eye can be seen below.

The flooding in Houston was extreme, but garages across the country experience problems with flooding, and whether a flood is minor or major, cleaning up after such an incident can be a daunting prospect. Here are some tips for how to clean your garage after a flood.

1. Remove any standing water – If any water remains in the garage, use a wet-dry shop vacuum to remove it. It is a good idea to wear rubber boots if you are standing in a wet area of your garage.

2. Move furniture and other items – Take everything out of the garage, including shelves, tables, storage containers, and any other items, and set them outside to dry. Any furniture containing porous material such as stuffing, leather, or fabric should be thrown away, since it will have absorbed contaminated water.

3. Get rid of mud – A flood is likely to deposit a great deal of mud in your garage, so you will likely need to remove it with a shovel, then use a hose to spray any remaining mud off of surfaces in the garage.

4. Clean and disinfect – Flood water can contain germs and bacteria, so it is important to completely disinfect all surfaces and items which have been submerged. First, wash surfaces with hot water and soap, then disinfect with a solution that contains 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Small items can be disinfected by dipping them in this solution.

5. Be careful with electrical systems – Electricity to the garage should be turned off until the system has been repaired and inspected by an electrician. Any wiring, switches, outlets, or junction boxes which were submerged must be completely dried out before they can be used, and any mud which has built up within these systems will need to be cleaned out.

Contact the garage experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. today for more information about cleaning your garage after a flood. Whether you are dealing with a small amount of water or a major weather catastrophe, we are here to help. Call us today at 630-852-8485.

With the summer weather cooling off and autumn right around the corner, now is the perfect time to clean your garage’s gutters and inspect them for clogs, leaks, cracks, and rust stains. In order to accomplish this task, you will need to have access to a ladder, a trowel, and a pair of gloves.

The first thing you will need to do is clean out the gutters. After ensuring that your ladder is firmly set in place, climb up and shovel out all of the leaves, dirt, and slime that you can see. It will take a fair amount of time and effort to completely clear the gutters, so be patient and make sure that you are diligent. Some clogs will be harder to find than others; however, it is important to clear them all. Once you have completely cleaned out the gutters, it is time to inspect them for damage. Look for rust, dripping water, and cracked sections, as these are the signs that your gutters need to be replaced.

If you find that it is time to replace your gutters, you have a few different options to choose from when shopping for their replacements:

Vinyl

These are usually the most affordable gutters you can find. While vinyl gutters may not be quite the same quality as the premium options, they will allow you to quickly replace your damaged gutters. The vinyl material is not designed with the cold winter weather in mind, so those who live in a snowy climate should keep that in mind when considering to purchase gutters made from vinyl.

Aluminum

Aluminum gutters are an improved option that will hold up longer than cheaper alternatives and are better suited for harsh weather than gutters made from vinyl material. While they are still not the most durable option, you can trust that aluminum gutters will hold up for over a decade and do a good job moving water away from your home.

Steel

For those in search of a material that blends high-quality with practicality, steel gutters could be a good choice. Strong and durable, these gutters will last multiple decades and hold their shape over time. Homeowners will need to pay a premium for steel when compared to aluminum or vinyl alternatives; however, it can potentially save money for those who live through brutal winter months since steel will not need to be replaced as often as gutters made from cheaper materials.

If you find yourself in need of assistance while deciding what type of gutters are the best fit for your garage, please contact our garage experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. today by calling 630-852-8485.

It seems as though every year we hear about unfortunate circumstances involving children and cars on driveways. Whether it involves a child running behind an SUV as they chase a ball or possibly a toddler who finds him or herself locked inside a car, these accidents can happen to anybody and it is important to make sure that you take all of these precautions seriously.

In the U.S., about 2,600 children are victims of backover accidents per year. That equates to 50 children per week or one tragedy in each state. Backing out of the driveway may seem like a routine activity, but it can lead to disaster if proper safety precautions are not taken. Read these tips on how to keep yourself and those near your vehicle safe:

The first step to take is to make sure that no children are nearby when you enter your vehicle. While you may believe that you can see in every direction from your driver’s seat, it is important to double check. Blind spots have their name for a reason and examining your surroundings before you sit down in your car will ensure that you and those around you are safe when you back your car out of the driveway.

In addition to that, it is also important to be open with your neighbors. If children play near your house and you are concerned about reversing your car while they are nearby, speak with their parents. Let them know that you are concerned with the situation and would like assistance. It only takes a few moments to call for help and the peace of mind it provides is priceless.

With that in mind, we highly encourage you to practice using your driveway. Make sure that the area is clear and then familiarize yourself with the sights you can see as you are backing out. Try to find landmarks that you can use in order to aim your vehicle and drive as consistently as possible. You can also learn to anticipate problem areas that represent a greater level of risk and focus on eliminating any issues before they arise.

If you find yourself in need of assistance while making your garage and driveway as safe as they can be, please contact our garage experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. today by calling 630-852-8485.

Source: http://www.keepyourchildsafe.org/child-safety-book/child-driveway-accidents.html

Since the invention of the automobile, garages have slowly evolved from humble, barn-like storage areas into what many people believe to be the most important room in the home. How did we get to this point? Well, it’s funny you should ask that because the evolution of the garage is exactly what we will be discussing in this blog. We will be taking a look at the early days of the garage, the development of the garage, and the modern garage and all of its amenities. Follow along as we take you on a trip back in time and examine the development of garages through the years.

The Early Days

In the earliest days of cars, garages were not much of a priority for homeowners. Horse drawn carriages were popular and only the wealthiest individuals had the means to own a car. Even so, cars were more of a luxury item than anything else and, as a result, the storage of cars was in a very primitive stage. In many cases, cars were stored in any available sheds or barns that had enough room to accommodate them and nobody spent recreational time in those areas. While you could say that the concept of “the garage” was born, these were very basic times.

The Development of the Garage

Starting around the 1920’s, the garage began to take its place as one of the primary features of homes. The growth of the auto industry made it possible for the average American to own a car and an increasing number of homeowners expected to have a garage included in their homes. By the end of the second World War, overhead garage doors and garage door openers were widely used. This was around the same time that the garage became a popular workplace, and garage rock bands gained prominence by the 1960s. The garage had clearly evolved and was no longer an afterthought in the construction of a house.

The Modern Garage

In modern times, garages have become quite diverse. With electricity, advanced heating, air conditioning systems, and many other present-day conveniences, garages can be used for almost anything. Whether you have converted it into a family room, use it as a personal office, or have turned it into your own personal showroom, the modern garage has come a long way.

If you find yourself in need of assistance while working in your garage, please contact our garage experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. today by calling 630-852-8485.

At first glance, decorating your garage seems to be a fairly simple task. Pin up some signs, add a few chairs, and just like that, mission accomplished. However, the decoration process is much more nuanced than you may have been led to believe and a well-decorated garage is not easy to achieve. That being said, if you want to design a garage that stands out from the rest, you have come to the right place. Follow our advice in this garage decorating guide and you will become the envy of your neighborhood in no time.

Wall Signs. A popular way to give your garage character is by hanging up a wide variety of signs on the walls. These signs can be inspired by any number of factors, such as the type of car you drive, your favorite sports teams, or even your preferred brand of beer or liquor. There are not many rules when it comes to what should and should not be used to decorate the walls of your garage and simply put, the key to laying out the design on any wall is to find the signs that best portray your personality to everybody who enters your garage.

Furniture. While it may be different than the furniture you would decorate the other rooms of your home with, garage furniture is extremely important and it serves a vital role in determining the type of activities that your garage is qualified to host. With that in mind, it is crucial for your garage to have enough seating available to keep your guests comfortable whether you are working on your engine or simply enjoying each other’s company. Bar stools are known to be a popular seating choice in garages; however, benches are also appropriate.

Flooring. The flooring in a garage needs to be versatile. While you may want to make a statement with flashy vinyl checkerboard tiles, that is probably not the best choice if you plan to use your garage as anything other than a showroom. More practical choices include epoxy paint, urethane sealant, and even concrete stain. Painting your garage floor is significantly easier than sealing it, yet urethane sealant will provide you with the best protection and keep your garage floor safe from damage. Nevertheless, if you want the best of both worlds, rubber or plastic tiles can easily be laid down to effectively protect your floor from wear and tear while allowing you to show off some style at the same time.

If you find yourself in need of further assistance while you design the garage of your dreams, please contact our garage experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. today. For more information and tips on decorating your garage call us at 630-852-8485.