Garage Condition Checklist

The First Step In OrganizingYour
Garage Storage Space

Completing this Garage Condition Checklist is one of the first steps to Organizing your Garage Storage Space into a safe and secure organized environment.

It is one of the most important steps in our Holistic Approach to having A Place For Everything - Everything In It's Place

The checklist will help identify your garage condition, but first we need to arrive at how you are using it now and how you plan to us it in the future.

Garage Use

The garage is often one of the largest and most frequently used rooms in the average American home. However, few homeowners Plan Garage Organization
for current or future uses.

Current Garage Use

The first step in determining the condition of your garage is to determine how it is currently being used. Is it completely finished, ready to be organized with Organizing Containers and Garage Organizers, or is it a mismatch of shelves, cabinets, racks and stands.

Take A Sheet Of Paper And Jot Down A Few Notes On:

* The daily events that take place in the garage now.

* What is stored in your garage now?

* The type of storage shelves, cabinets or containers being used now and are they being fully utilized?

* What is cluttered or stored on the garage floor

* What is hanging from the ceiling or walls that could create an Accident?

* How many days have you parked your car(s) in the garage in the past week, month.

When finished, do the same thing with Planned Garage Use.

Planned Garage Use

How do you plan on using the garage? Is it for parking all your cars, storage of tools, sports equipment etc., or for .... ? ?

What is the vision of your Ultimate Garage?

Take A Sheet Of Paper And Jot Down A Few Notes On:

* How many cars and how often do I need to park in the garage

* What other types of items do I want to store in the garage?

* Are all the items considered Safe Garage Storage Items?

* How can the garage be best utilized for my family and stuff?

When you have finished the above exercise, print out this checklist and wander around the garage and fill it out.

If you find something that is not on the checklist, please send us a note on our Feedback Form.

When you return to GarageOrganizer.Com with the completed Garage Condition Checklist, it will be easier to find the information or products that will help you Safely Squeeze More into your Garage Storage Space.

Garage Organizer Condition Checklist - Construction

Concrete Garage Floors

QUESTION:-->
Are there any major cracks in the concrete garage floor?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:--->
Major cracks in the concrete floor of a garage are signs of subsurface settling or lifting. Depending on the age of the house and soil conditions, this could be a major or minor problem and should be repaired before doing any other garage improvements.

SOLUTIONS:-->
If the crack has been the same size for a year or more, filling it should be adequate. If the crack is new and is growing, or increases or decreases with the seasons, you should have a qualified professional give you a opinion and estimate to have the problem solved.

QUESTION:-->
Are there any stains that are imbedded in the surface of the garages concrete floor?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
If you are planning on using Garage Floor Paints or Epoxy Floor Coating on Concrete Garage Floors, the stains should be removed with a Concrete Stain Remover.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Purchase Concrete Floor Stain Removers that are formulated and designed to remove stains from concrete.

Learn more about Concrete Floor Stain Removers

Garage Walls

QUESTION:-->
Are all the interior garage walls finished with sheet rock, wall panels or plywood?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Most Garage Wall Organizers require backing or panels to keep items from falling between the studs. Any Garage Wall Organizer that covers the studs and should provide adequate backing is probably going to be more cost effective.

SOLUTIONS:-->
If all the walls are finished, then most Garage Wall Organizers can be easily utilized. If the walls are not finished, consider a Garage WallOrganizers whose wall panels can be fastened directly to the studs.

Learn more about Garage Wall Organizers.

QUESTION:-->
Do you know what the garage wall stud spacing is?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Knowing the stud spacing and size is a critical factor in the type of Garage Organizer System you choose. If a system is designed for 16" spacing and your studs are 24", it could be very difficult to fasten the system in a manner that will safely support the items you intend to store.

Knowing the garage stud spacing and the stud size is also an important part of creating a Garage Organizing Plan. A 2x6 stud will normally support more than a 2x4 stud and is also stronger and more stable.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Buy A Garage Wall Stud Finder and locate them by placing a mark or masking tape on the wall at each stud.

QUESTION:-->
Are your exterior and interior garage walls insulated?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
In most areas of the country, Garage Wall Insulation is a major factor when using the garage for storage. Check the garage walls for insulation. If the garage walls are finished, drilling a few small holes in key locations will answer the question.

If you are unsure, contact a Local Insulation Professional.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Have insulation installed that will meet or bring your garage up to the recommended R rating for your part of the country.

Learn more about Garage Wall Insulation.

Garage Ceiling

QUESTION:--> Do you know what the ceiling truss, joist or rafter spacing is?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Knowing the ceiling truss, joist or rafter spacing and size is a critical factor in the type of Overhead Organizing System you choose. If a system is designed for 16" spacing and the ceiling spacing is 24", it could be very difficult to fasten the Overhead Organizers in a manner that will safely support the items you intend to store and to meet the manufacturer's specifications.

Knowing the ceiling spacing, size, span and load capacity of the truss, joist or rafter is also an important part of creating a Garage Organizing Plan. A 2x6 truss will normally support more than a 2x4 truss, depending on the span and grade of lumber.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Buy A Garage Wall Stud Finder to locate the ceiling spacing, then place a mark or masking tape on the ceiling at each truss, joist or rafter location.

Check the load capacity of the ceiling truss, joist or rafter with the manufacturer or your local building official.

Learn more about Garage Ceiling Organiziers.

Garage Electrical

QUESTION:-->

Does the electrical system have room for expansion?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
If you are planning on garage improvements, lighting, heating and additional plugs for tools etc. are important considerations. If your garage electrical system has capacity for expansion, you or an electrician could simply add another circuit and breaker at minimal cost.

SOLUTIONS:-->
If you are on a tight budget, plan for electrical improvements that won't overload your existing electrical system. If your Garage Electrical System has room for expansion, have a qualified electrician plan and install the electrical expansion.

Garage Heating And Cooling

A large percentage of homes use a forced air heating system with the furnace located in the garage, basement or a furnace closet within your home.

QUESTION:-->
Can you garage be heated or cooled using your existing heating and cooling systems?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
When installed, few heating or cooling systems provide a way to heat the garage. Even though heating ducts often run through the garage or an adjacent room, building codes usually prohibit them from being used for garage heating.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Provided the garage has the electrical capacity, add one or more electric heaters approved for use in a garage.

Buy A Garage Heater designed and approved for heating a garage.

Learn more about Garage Heaters.

Garage Organizer Condition Checklist - Fixtures

Garage Posts

QUESTION:-->
Are all posts that support beams in their original positions and in good condition?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Often garage posts that support beams are banged by a car and moved from their original position. This could cause a reduction in safe load bearing capacity.

Sometimes a post is damaged or begins to decay where it comes in touch with the garage floor.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Move any out of place posts back to their original positions

Replace any damaged or posts with signs of decay

Replace the post with larger size so it can accommodate the addition of a beam designed to increase ceiling load capacity

Garage Beams

QUESTION:-->
Are all beams support by posts in their original positions and in good condition?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Often garage beams supported by posts are banged by a car and moved from their original position. This could cause a reduction in safe load bearing capacity.

Sometimes the safe load capacity of the beam can be increased by adding an additional beam.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Move any out of place beams back to their original positions.

Increase load bearing capacity, add another beam

Replace the post with larger size so it can accommodate the addition of a beam designed to increase ceiling load capacity

Garage Waste And Recycle Fixtures

QUESTION:-->
Are you currently using a Waste Disposal System or a Waste Recycle System in the garage that takes up minimal floor space?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Many Waste Recycle Systems and/or Waste Disposal Systems simply consist of garbage cans and other containers that consume valuable floor space. Some Waste Recycle Systems and - Waste Disposal Systems are designed to utilize minimal Garage Storage Space.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Purchase and install a Waste Recycle Systems and/or Waste Disposal Systems that uses minimal Garage Storage Space.

Learn more about Waste Recycle Systems and/or Waste Disposal Systems.

Garage Organizing Containers

QUESTION:-->
Do you have a variety of Organizing Containers consuming your valuable floor real estate?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Most people accumulate a variety of containers to store a variety of items over time. The problem is, they seldom can be safely stacked on top of one another or fit safely in or on existing fixed shelves or racks.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Purchase an Adjustable Garage Organizing Rack, Garage Floor Shelving, Garage Workbench System or Moveable Garage Organizers to place the Garage Organizing Containers in or on. If necessary, replace the containers that don't safely fit your Garage Storage Space.

Learn more about Garage Organizing Containers.

Garage Shelving

QUESTION:-->
Do you have garage shelving that can't be easily adjusted or moved fastened to the garage walls?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
If the Garage Wall Shelving cannot be easily removed and adapted to your Garage Organizing Plan, it is probably better to discard them and replace them with a space saving Garage Wall Organizers.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Replace your old shelving with a space saving adjustable Garage Wall Shelving that is adjustable to your needs. This will create a flexible and productive storage space for your Safe Garage Storage Items.

GARAGE RACKS, HANGERS AND HOOKS

QUESTION:-->
Do you have any sport or recreation equipment racks, hangers or hooks on your garage walls?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Most racks and hangers are designed as a piece meal solution to storage problems. Todays Garage Organizers are designed to create a integrated and flexible solution that meets changing storage needs.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Dispose of individual racks and hangers and Buy Garage Organizers that are flexible and can meet your changing storage needs.

Garage Dampness And Mold

QUESTION:-->
Is there any musty smell or indication of excessive moisture in corners, on sill plates or concrete floor of your garage?

YES ___ NO ___

RESPONSE:-->
Check for source of water. Is it coming from roof leak, through exterior siding, a plumbing leak, from poor drainage or from condensation.

SOLUTIONS:-->
Find and correct the cause yourself.

Remove any mold or damaged wood and replace it with mildew and mold resistant materials.

Learn more about Garage Mold.

If you can't find source of problem, call in a Mold Professional.