Rotten odors may begin to form in your garage if you do not clean it during the long, damp winter months in Illinois. However, there are a few cleaning tactics that you can apply to protect your garage from smells.

Hideaway items with odor:
It may not be possible to eliminate all of the smells from your garage, but you can limit the number of them that are forming. One way to remove some odors is to have a designated storage space where you put all of your items that are a little more smelly than the rest. Keep this area tucked away, so when guests come over, they will not have to deal with the strong odors.

Inspect for cracks:
If there are any cracks in your garage walls or floors, the mold may sneak its way through. In order to prevent this from occurring again, you should remove any water puddles, as long-standing water sometimes attracts mold. Another possible solution is to install a dehumidifier, resulting in the moisture level to drop.

Safety checks for health purposes:
There may be dangerous conditions that form if you do not properly inspect the safety of your garage. Sometimes, you cannot see all the tiny details of your garage until you get up close. Types of bacterias can mold can cause health issues down the road. So to prevent any illnesses, conducting regular garage safety checks is a good idea. Also, just by simply opening the garage door, the fresh air will rotate around your garage and apply a fresh smell to your garage. If you have windows inside your garage, leaving them open for a few hours when it is nice outside can also help circulate fresh air.

Shine your garage floor:
There is a chance that smells can be trapped inside your garage floor if enough time goes by without cleaning it. A simple solution is to apply bleach and water and scrub your floor. Let it sit for a few hours and your garage floor will not only look clean but smell fresh as well.

It is important to maintain a clean and well-organized garage all year round. Keeping your garage clean does not only provide a safe environment for you, your family, and guests but it also provides an updated appearance of the space. For more information on how to deodorize your garage, contact the Chicagoland area garage experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. today. Call us at 630-852-8485 or visit us online. We are dedicated to serving our clients with their garage maintenance needs.

Potential homebuyers typically create a checklist of what they desire to have in their new house. When it comes time for you to sell your home, make sure that you are ready to “wow” those viewing it with your updated and well-organized garage. There some resources you have to option of using to ensure that your garage is in good shape for the people that move in.

Speak with your real estate agent about what works:
He or she may have first-hand insight on whether or not the status of your garage currently will help or harm the selling of your home.

One car vs. two car garage:
The number of cars that one can fit into their garage is sometimes critical to buyers. There are many families that prefer to have a two car garage because this gives them more space for storage.

Hire a garage builder to work on a redesign to help sell your home:
All you might need is just a little bit of a redesigning in your garage. Simply organizing what you already have and adding some paint or shelves to give your garage a more “homey” feel makes a big difference when it comes time to impressing potential home buyers.

Make sure that you are building a garage that stays within zoning:
It is important to be aware of your property and community zoning laws. Zoning is a way for the local government to control the physical development of land and how you use it. Most of the time, zoning laws specify the areas in which construction on your garage may take place.

Make do with what you have:
If you cannot afford to remodel or redesign your garage, your must bet is to work with what you have and make sure that your garage is organized and presentable for people to view it. It is helpful for the space to be clean so that others can envision their belongings occupying it.

If you plan on selling your home and you are in need of updating your garage, the experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. are here to help. Visit our portfolio to see examples of our past work. Call 630-852-8485 to schedule a consultation.

Your garage space has the ability to be transformed into just about any creative idea you have if you put the time and effort into it. Now that the holidays are over, it is time for sports lovers to focus on what they enjoy most. Transforming your garage into a place to host a football party is just one way to celebrate your favorite team’s victory. Before tackling the decorations, there are a few important key steps you must put into place.

When there is not enough room in your house, use the garage:
If your home is not the ideal size to host a large party, transform your garage into a comfortable area for your friends and family to gather. As long as you have the proper appliances accessible and all unnecessary tools and items in your garage are put away, you should be all set to begin organizing your football party.

Safety comes first:
Illinois weather is typically cold during football season, especially around the Super Bowl. So, remember to insulate your garage so that it remains warm for your guests. Another warming source to consider is setting up a few heating lamps. Just one or two lamps should be fine in your garage to ensure that this space is properly heated at all times.

The main attraction:
Providing a quality viewing experience is a top priority when it comes to hosting a football party. Make sure to set up the TV in a spot in your garage where everyone can easily watch the game from. Once you have picked where it is going to be placed, it is important to also set up comfortable chairs for your guest to relax on as well. If you have extra chairs lying around the house, you can move those into the garage for a few hours. Once you have your full viewing experience all set up, you can then focus on decorations.

Football team decorations:
Make sure your guests know the exact team you are cheering for. Hang up your team’s flag, banners, pictures, jerseys, and any other team merchandise you may own. You can even set up a mini fridge for drinks or a microwave for homemade dips you have for the party. This brings up the last, but not least, items on your football party checklist: food and drinks.

Food and drinks: Fill your fridge with a variety of drinks and snacks for all your guests can enjoy while watching the game.

Remember to keep these tips in mind when transforming your garage into a football party space. At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., our team of garage experts is here to help with any garage related project. Call 630-852-8485 or contact Blue Sky Builders, Inc. online to chat with us about your next garage needs today.

The winter months bring weather that may resemble a beautiful snow globe, but in reality, the cold temperatures can be very dangerous if precautions are not taken. For instance, icicles that form on your roof and garage can become sharp and potentially fall and hurt someone if not removed properly. There are a number of ways you can protect your garage from melting snow and ice build up that forms due to the cold weather spreading across Illinois.

Make sure your garage is clean: It is important that the floor is clear of any sort of water spills as it may freeze during the cold winter months. Once your garage is clean, check to see if there are any cracks or openings that cold air or snow may leak through.

Seal your floor and door: Sealing your garage floor and door will help prevent melted snow and salt from affecting your concrete floor. There are sealants that prevent damage to your floor as well. If your floors are ready for the winter, the sealer can be applied just to add a shiny look to your garage floor as well.

Once you have cleared out your garage and repaired any cracks, it is time to gather the materials you will need to maintain a safe garage during the winter months.

Snow rake: You can use a snow rake to remove excess snow from the roof and knock down any icicles that have formed. This is a simple way to clear off any potentially harmful ice on your garage.

Use a fan: Aim the fan either at your roof or rain gutters and the existing icicles will slowly melt. The airflow will prevent future icicles from forming.

Heat tape: The tape is made of copper wiring which can help prevent any ice buildup from occurring. This can be installed before a big snow storm or cold temperatures hit. You place the tape inside your gutters at the edge of your roof and then turn the tape on when needed.

Clear your gutters and roof from snow/ice: It is beneficial to keep up with the safety of your roof by removing ice and snow each time there is a winter storm.

It is important to stay on top of protecting your home and garage during winter so that you can stay safe and warm this season. At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., our team of garage experts is always here to help with any garage-related project. Call 630-852-8485 or visitBlue Sky Builders, Inc. online to talk with us about your next garage related project. We are here to help.

Make your garage space a place to give thanks this holiday season and transform it into a welcoming area for those in your community to gather on Thanksgiving. Discover a few ways that you can transform your garage into the location that gives back this year.

Host Thanksgiving dinner in your garage:
Serve your Thanksgiving meal in a different room in your house this year by setting up a dining area in your garage. You can do this by putting couches and chairs in the garage to create an additional place for your guests to socialize. However, this time of year is typically chilly in Illinois so it may be wise to invest in some space heaters and blankets to ensure that your guests are nice and warm while waiting for their meal to be served. You can choose to host Thanksgiving in your garage for just your family or you can invite a few members of your community a week or so before Thanksgiving to give thanks to your neighbors.

Holiday arts and crafts time in the garage:
Have an arts and crafts day for the kids in your neighborhood to come and decorate their own artwork to give to their loved ones as a sign thankfulness. They are can create cards, paintings, or even transform leftover pumpkins from Halloween into a turkey or an owl to use a centerpiece for the table this holiday season.

Make dinner for those less fortunate:
It is important to remember to give back to those who may not have a family or friend’s house to go to on Thanksgiving. Making your garage a place where those who are less fortunate can come eat a hot meal and stay warm is one way to give back your community.

Turn your garage into your NFL watch party area:
Many enjoy watching football on Thanksgiving and setting up a TV for those who choose to watch the games in your garage is another way to bring joy to the community this holiday season.

Whether you are going to transform your garage into a community gathering or create a more intimate setting for just your family, these are a few ideas to make your garage the center of your holiday fun this holiday season. Show that you are thankful this year by giving back and transforming your garage space to share with others. Contact Blue Sky Builders, Inc. by visiting our website or call us at 630-852-8485. Our talented team of garage experts can assist you with anything you need.