POST-PURCHASE CARE

Not only can spiders, ants, pine beetles, wasps, and rodents be a nuisance to you, but they can contribute to the deterioration of your building and the items stored inside. If you want to fight off these pests, here are some ideas. 

• Eliminate water sources. Check for roof and siding leaks. If water accumulates from these sources, it can become a breeding ground for insects or a hydration supply for rodents.
• Eliminate options for shelter. Piles of firewood, newspapers, and cardboard are ideal places for pests to breed and hide. If these piles get wet, they can also serve as an ideal habitat for countless insect species. Also, keep grass and all other vegetation trimmed short around the entire perimeter of your building to discourage pests from sheltering nearby.
• Eliminate access to food. Do not store food of any kind in your shed, and keep trash cans far away if possible. If you have a spider infestation, try to get rid of the other insects first (their food source), and your spider problem may resolve itself.
• Eliminate entrances. Close off places where pests can enter. Take a moment to inspect your shed. When you find a visible opening, take time to seal it. You may need to caulk cracks and crevices around the window and doors.
• Use a pesticide. As you shop for a pesticide, read the label entirely to select the right product to solve your problem and always follow the instructions and safety warnings. For safety purposes, buy ready-to-use products, not those that require mixing. 

No matter your siding material, clean and check it for cracks annually. Annual cleaning will remove dust, dirt, and mildew, and checking for cracks or gaps can help prevent serious damage from developing. 

Here are some tips.

• Tools for washing. Wash siding with a soft cloth, soft bristle brush, or pressure washer. If you choose to use a pressure washer, use lower water pressure so the water doesn't get behind your siding or damage the surface.
• Cleaning solutions. For a cleaning solution, there are several good options. 1) You can mix 70% water with 30% white vinegar to make a great all-purpose siding cleaner that removes light mold and mildew stains. 2) For a stronger solution, mix one-third cup powdered laundry detergent, two-thirds cup powdered household cleaner, one-quart liquid laundry bleach, and one gallon of water. 3) Or even Dawn diluted with warm water creates a soapy mixture that is gentle on siding yet effective at removing dirt, grease, and other imperfections.
• Method. For effective cleaning, wet down the siding, apply soap from the bottom up, let it work for a few minutes. Then rinse from the top down.  

In addition to annual cleaning, if you have a building with wood siding, be sure to find out what type of paint or stain has been used to determine how often a fresh coat should be supplied. 

Tip: To keep water away from your structure, protect your foundation, and prevent water from getting into your shed, add gutters to your building. Gutters will redirect water into downspouts where you can direct it away from the shed.

While our metal panel roof is virtually maintenance-free and our shingles are the best in the market, sometimes the weather can cause damage to even the highest-rated materials. 

Missing or cracked shingles need to be identified, replaced, and repaired as soon as possible. Nothing will cause your backyard shed to deteriorate quicker than a leaky roof, not to mention introducing that musty smell of mildew and mold. Keeping that roof in perfect condition will preserve the life of your shed and protect everything you’re storing inside of it.

All of our garages feature Clopay Premium Series overhead garage doors. These insulated doors operate smoothly and safely.

However, because the overhead door is your garage's largest moving part — and with an average of six up-and-downs a day — it's also one of the most used. This is why garage door preventative maintenance is important. There are things you can do quarterly, semiannually, and annually to protect your overhead garage door. 

• Clean your garage door to prevent dirt buildup and corrosion. 
• Apply Clopay Synthetic Pro Lube, which can be found at Home Depot, to your door opener's chain or screw drive. 
• Make sure your garage door is properly balanced so that the door's mechanical parts are not overly stressed. 
• Schedule to have your garage door inspected every couple of years by a professional.