Super Handyman: Create more space in your garage
Garage storage is always a challenge for most do-it-yourselfers. When you are looking for more space, look up.
That's right — you can create super storage areas that are suspended from the ceiling of your garage. It's the perfect place to store seasonal things that you don't need to access very often. Here's how it's done.
You can build your own racks, or buy the pre-made systems and just install them. If you choose to build your own, use metal angle iron or wood.
There are some advantages to using the pre-made systems, as they weigh less and are very strong. Most are very easy to install, too. Some even allow you to lower and raise them with the use of pulleys or another system.
Whichever way you decide to go, determine the area where you want to install these overhead racks. Make sure garage doors, car hoods and trunks, garage-door tracks and openers, and other things won't interfere with their placement.
Next you need to locate the ceiling joists. If they are concealed behind drywall, use a stud finder to locate them, and use a pencil to mark the spots where they run.
The systems will vary, but most start with the installation of a bracket on the ceiling joists. The overhead rack is then attached with side rails. Just make sure you follow the directions for your system and tighten the screws and bolts.
If you are designing your own system, use strong angle-iron brackets and run the supports under the storage system as well, then install a platform for storing the items. The extra support will work better and will give you a more secure system.
You're going to love the results: More floor space and a neater, cleaner garage.
Wheel-ease
The shop vacuum that one of us has must have been one of the first models on the market. It's large and loud, but it still works great and has lots of attachments that really come in handy. One disadvantage is that this older model doesn't have wheels on it. But we found an extra-large plant caddie (on wheels) that was the perfect size for this vacuum to sit on. The plant caddie makes it easy to pull the vacuum around when cleaning. Most new models have built-in wheels. This is actually better, since the wheels can be removed when you want it to stay put. It is a super upgrade for a really great shop vacuum.
Compost bin
Composting leaves, vegetable scraps and other “trash” is a very good thing to do, both for the environment and for your wallet. Collecting these things in a container outdoors is certainly easy, and will yield free nutrients for your plants and soil. The container you put all of these items in doesn't have to be a fancy, expensive contraption, although they do make some of those. The typical container just needs to be about 3 feet tall, wide enough to accommodate a bag or two of leaves and able to allow for some air flow through the pile occasionally. Hardware cloth or wire mesh is a great material to use. You can buy a small roll of it that is 3 feet tall and just hook the ends together with some scrap wire. Set your round “container” on a flat piece of ground and drive a stake or two in, next to the sides, and tie the wire to these just so it doesn't get blown over. Use a pitchfork or shovel to turn it over every couple of weeks to keep the pile working, and you'll have some super compost for free in a very short time!
Super hints
• Stuff foam weatherstripping into wide gaps to fill them before you caulk. You can buy round sections of foam, or just use the peel-and-stick type. A screwdriver is a great tool for pushing it into the cracks and gaps.
• If you need to put the lid back on a can of paint, don't use your hammer or mallet to tap it into place, or you will end up with a huge mess on your hands … and everywhere else. Put a rag over the lid first, then tap it.
• Caning a chair is very labor-intensive (but lots of fun!), so when the seat starts sagging, fix it before it breaks. Just spray the bottom, or wet it with a sponge and water, and set it in the sun to dry. As it dries, it will tighten up.
Q. I am having a constant problem with water dripping on my air conditioner. It's under the eaves and is starting to rust after only a few years. What can I do to prevent this from getting worse?
A. You should have gutters over the unit to prevent this damage and soil erosion around your foundation. At least install a drip shield on your roof in this area. This will channel the water around the unit and prevent further damage.
Q. I think I may have to replace my dryer. It stopped drying. It still turns and even seems hot, but it's taking a really long time to dry the clothes. What else can I check?
A. Have you checked the vent? Lint can get trapped in the exhaust ductwork and cause this very problem. They make a great device for snaking out these ducts, and you should use it a couple of times a year. Clogged ducts can even cause fires, so take care of it and see if that cures your problem.
Q. I need to insulate a wall between the attic over our garage and a bedroom. There is batt insulation there already, but it's not enough. I was thinking about installing foam panels but can't get them up into the area. I don't think adding more batts will work that well, and plastic won't be enough. I'm looking for an alternative. Can you suggest anything?
A. Have you looked at the bubble-type radiant barrier insulation? It comes in a roll so you can easily get it up into the space where you are working, and it's easy to install. You can staple it in place, and it will both insulate and provide a reflective barrier on that wall. It's available at most home centers and hardware stores, and would be cost effective also.
Reader tips
• We always get a fresh-cut Christmas tree. This year, we missed the trash pickup and had to find an alternative way to dispose of it. We stripped all the needles off and “decorated” it with fresh oranges and other fruits for the birds. They loved it and stripped it clean. I would like to do this every year from now on. The kids loved watching the birds, and so did I. Now we plan to cut it up to use in our fire pit.
• During the holidays, we had a couple of celebrations, and somehow lost our corkscrew. Maybe someone thought it was a party favor, or it ended up in the trash. Anyway, we created our own (out of necessity, of course) by screwing a long eye hook into the cork and then pulling it out of the bottle. We slipped a screwdriver under the hook to get a good grip on it. It worked well, and we thought it might be something, although a little off-track, for your column! Happy New Year!
• I injured myself at work and had to wear a bandage and keep my hands dry for quite a while. I bought a box of disposable latex gloves to wear all day long on that hand. It was a great thing, and I now keep a box in my workshop. I wear them whenever I am working out there. They also are great for gardening. They don't cost very much, keep my hands clean and dry, and also offer a little protection from other things.
• I finally cleaned out my office. I had a lot of plans from woodworking magazines that I had saved. I scanned them all into my computer, and now I can get rid of the pile of magazines I had been saving. This gave me a lot more room and got rid of a lot of the clutter.
• I have a set of old wrought-iron tables that had plain tile tops. The tiles were set into a metal frame but were just not very attractive. I removed the old tops and made plain wooden tops that fit into the frames. Then I covered them with thin set and broken tiles of all different colors. I then grouted the table tops and set them back into the frames. They look really neat now, and have moved from the old office into the family room.
Shop talk
• G-Floor is a great way to upgrade your garage floor in one day. The system uses peel-and-stick tiles that are easy to install on just about any existing garage floor. All you have to do is clean the surface to remove most of the grease and dust. The tiles are very easy to work with, and even come in a couple of different sizes as well as a variety of colors. You also can buy two or three colors to create a custom look for your garage. Your new garage floor will look better, it will prevent absorption of oil, grease and other liquids, will prevent noise, will hide cracks and other imperfections, and even will add some insulation to the room. It carries a five-year warranty. Check it out online at www.bltllc.com.
• Siphoning water from a vessel can be a messy, distasteful chore. But the Slide-N-Pump makes it easy. It's a super gadget that hooks onto a garden hose and allows you to easily and quickly pump out fish tanks, ponds, ditches, toilets and more. It's very easy to use, and very inexpensive too. Look for it at select retailers. To find out how it works and where you can find it in your area, go to the Web and visit www.slide-n-pump.com.
• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' website at thesuperhandyman.com.
© 2011, Cowles Syndicate Inc.