For questions generally relating to the area of the home in which cars and other motor vehicles are kept.
3
votes
4answers
838 views
Where can I find or make a remote wireless light switch?
I have a light switch in my garage that controls lights in front of my home. The switch is located in a corner of the garage where a large shelf has been stored. It is very difficult to the switch.
...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
Replacing the remote for an older garage door opener remote?
I've just purchased a house with an old Genie garage door opener that uses the simple dip-switch remote configuration system (no rolling code, in other words). The garage has two doors, each with its ...
6
votes
2answers
5k views
How do I open my garage door without a remote from outside?
1993 Craftsman garage door opener; my wife must have put something up against the garage door keypad and inadvertently triggered the vacation mode button - now we're locked out.
The remote control is ...
2
votes
3answers
745 views
Should I install an exhaust fan in a new garage?
I'm having a new garage built in my home and I'm wondering if it's a good idea to have some sort of ventilation/exhaust/fan system installed while they're at it? I'm thinking of doing some spray ...
4
votes
3answers
534 views
What voltage/amperage garage circuits should I install for welding tools and an air compressor?
As a part of renovating my garage this fall, much of the wiring is being re-done. Since doing the work before putting up walls will be much easier now than adding circuits in the future, I'd like to ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I wire an old furnace motor so I can use it as a garage exhaust fan?
Since last I posted, I moved WAY south (lil warm down here) and the house I moved into was a foreclosure so a few things needed done, namely the AC and furnace. When the guy did the job he said he ...
5
votes
8answers
575 views
How do I secure a canvas garage?
I picked up one of those cheap canvas garages from Costco, to keep a few things out of the weather. It's 10' wide, 20' long, and maybe 11' high at the peak.
Our area is a bit prone to windstorms. I'm ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
Network Garage Door opener/ how does the switch work
I'm trying to connect a relay/switch to a Garage door(Lift Master). I know that there are two wires to trigger the garage door. I'm not sure how it works exactly. I'm trying to control the garage ...
2
votes
0answers
196 views
What could be eating or removing the insulation in my garage door?
We have noticed that there are piles of the tiny particles of the insulation from one of our garage doors on each side of our door. At first we swept it up and didn't think anything of it. The next ...
0
votes
2answers
250 views
How to install level wood header under sloping garage door opening
I am wood framing concrete garage door opening described with pictures in this question.
Top concrete header is about 2" inches out of level across 9' opening length. I want to install 2x8 PT header ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Water coming in through the walls of an old concrete garage
I recent bought a house with a detached garage, made of old concrete (high aggregate content) reinforced with steel rods and set into a hill. Built in 1938 or so; no waterproofing.
Now that Boston ...
8
votes
4answers
8k views
What type of space heater is best for an uninsulated garage?
I'm planning on applying stain and polyurethane to some furniture I recently built. I've been thinking about getting a space heater for my uninsulated garage, both to help the poly cure, and for my ...
3
votes
1answer
281 views
What is involved in enlarging a concrete garage door opening?
I have a concrete garage with an opening measuring 99" wide by 85" high. There is 10" of concrete from the door opening to the left and right walls and about 1' above. All walls are 8" thick and ...
5
votes
5answers
870 views
How to make lights turn on one at a time?
So we've all seen this scene dozens of times in movies: a character flips a switch and lights turn on, one at time, down a long tunnel, or throughout a giant garage, or something like that.
I'd like ...
1
vote
0answers
93 views
Is there an alternative to the pvc/plastic garage weatherstripping (stop molding)?
Our garage has plastic weatherstripping with attached rubber around the perimeter of the garage. It butts up against the actual metal garage wrap. We noticed it is starting to buckle.
Are there ...
9
votes
2answers
722 views
Do I need to insulate exposed foundation in my garage?
I have a 2 story split-foyer ranch. The bedrooms upstairs are above the garage and noticeably colder than the rest of the house (I live in Connecticut so winters get pretty cold).
There's no climate ...
3
votes
6answers
644 views
Should I replace or repair my dead/dying garage door?
My garage door opener is on its last legs, should I replace it or try to fix it?
Symptoms:
The door does not initially move when the button is pushed, but after giving the door a boost it opens.
...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I repair deteriorating concrete walls?
Our garage is about 80 years old and made of steel-reinforced concrete. The inspector deemed it structurally sound, but cosmetically the interior is a mess.
The concrete has come loose (it is old ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I replace a light fixture?
I need someone to sort out this wiring question for me. I'm trying to hang a flourenscent light in the garage, however, when I took the old garage light out (one of those round, single light ...
1
vote
1answer
184 views
How to make my box liftable
I have this big wooden box in my garage:
The current position makes it a bit cumbersome to park the car.
Is there a way to make the box easily "liftable" or "raisable" up to the ceiling (or as high ...
2
votes
0answers
122 views
How do I replace an old-style (“wide screw posts”) garage T-lock handle?
My garage features an old-style T-handle very similar to Prime-Line GD 52169 or National Hardware V7643, except that the distance between the hole centers is 1-3/4".
Unfortunately, I cannot seem ...
4
votes
1answer
88 views
Should I be concerned with the accumulation of road cinder in my garage?
Albuquerque, like many municipalities during snow storms has its roadways scraped and covered in a sand cinder mixture. This winter has gotten off to an early start and the road crews have been out in ...
5
votes
5answers
4k views
What should I consider when selecting an air compressor for the garage?
I was thinking to buy an air compressor and place it in my garage. I hate to look for change when i am at the gas station and i usually end up spending more than usual as some idiot has parked his car ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I insulate my garage door?
Over the past year I've been converting our integrated garage so that it's a usage space.
I've painted the walls, got lighting, power and water connected (To allow for a washing machine to be ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
What are the requirements for wiring an unfinished garage with lights and outlets?
I found this DIY article online which suggests that running Romex along the center faces of studs and rafters was code compliant for unfinished garages.
How to Wire a Garage
The article is dated ...
6
votes
1answer
613 views
Is there a required ceiling height for a garage door opener?
I recently bought a bank-owned house. They converted the garage into a living space and I would like to take it back to being a garage. I was hoping to install a garage door opener for the new door, ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Drilling Holes in Cinderblock Garage?
So I'm just getting started on basic home improvement type tasks, as I am now in a situation where I'm permitted to actually drill holes and stuff ;) I've got a bicycle rack that is supposed to be ...
5
votes
1answer
334 views
How do I mitigate moisture problems when putting up drywall over stucco with torn tar paper?
I'd like to finish my 56-year old garage with drywall but I have concerns about moisture.
The wall construction looks like stucco over tar paper with metal wire support, then the frame.
My main ...
1
vote
1answer
924 views
Best easy way to partition a room
I'm looking for a simple way to partition an area in my garage to be a TV/Game room for the kids.
I don't want to build a "real" permanent room. But I would like it to have, as much as possible, a ...
1
vote
2answers
275 views
Is there a thermostat-controlled corn heater sized for a shop/garage?
I'm looking for a way to heat my 4-car garage. Two bays are for cars, one is for the mower and other items, one is my workshop.
I live in Minnesota, with very cold winters, so a heater is necessary ...
3
votes
1answer
628 views
Can someone review this garage loft design for structure and stability?
I'd like to build a loft above a 12'x16' portion of my garage. My plan is to lag screw ledger boards to the studs and attach 2x10 joists to the ledgers using joist hangers. Additional supports will be ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
What thickness drywall do I need for 24" OC wall studs in a detached garage?
I am currently finishing an older 3-car detached garage. Both the wall studs and the ceiling trusses have 24" OC spacing.
I know that for the ceiling, I'll need to use 5/8" thick drywall, due to the ...
3
votes
2answers
374 views
Can I build a dry room in a moist garage?
I have a garage that lies in sloped terrain with the back wall almost fully below ground level. The garage is very moist, probably because of water seeping through the walls and floor.
I would like ...
2
votes
1answer
254 views
Is floor paint on concrete purely aesthetic or actually functional?
I have a large thatched barn recently (6 months) laid with a concrete floor to replace the original mud floor. The concrete was dusting badly, especially near where a table tennis table sits, so I ...
3
votes
1answer
783 views
Best way to flash an EPDM rubber roof on a concrete roof deck?
I'm planning to install an EPDM rubber roof on my 1922-built, poured concrete garage. The concrete deck leaks heavily during rainstorms, and it looks like installing an EPDM roof is just within my ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
How to properly insulate a garage?
I'm considering insulating (and drywalling) my garage, which already has insulated garage doors. My main goal is to keep it from getting much below freezing during the winter.
This garage is located ...
7
votes
2answers
315 views
How do I dispose of gasoline?
We've inherited a house with several gas (petrol) containers in the garage. I haven't tried using them because
I don't know how old they are.
I don't know what oil/gas mixture they have.
They've ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Where can I find a garage door (slot) mail basket?
I'm looking for a place I can buy a garage door mail slot basket. I had one in my old (rented) house and I'm looking to install one.
It should look something like the image below, and keep upright ...
3
votes
1answer
149 views
Heat causing concrete to heave
I mostly hear about this happening for roads on very hot days, but I'm wondering what about the heat causes the concrete to heave? Is there any concerns for foundations/garage floors/drive way heaving ...
5
votes
1answer
275 views
How to cover gap below garage back door
I have a 3/4" gap between my garage back door (see image. blueish color is outside evening light).
Looking for a good way to cover this gap with two goals in mind:
Stop rodents from coming in
Help ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Can I convert ceiling mounted octagon box to electrical receptacle?
I've installed a number of strip lights in my garage to replace the single incandescent fixture on the ceiling. They all use a 3-prong plug, not hardwired. I want to replace the incandescent fixture ...
5
votes
2answers
552 views
Is the open grate in the ceiling between my garage and attic necessary?
I have a plastic grate in the ceiling of my garage that simply provides airflow between the garage and the attic. Due to the layout of my garage, my workbench is almost directly beneath this grate. ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
Craftsman 139.53973SRT drive gear issue
I have replaced the drive gear on this door opener and tested it 15 to 20 times afterwards. For the next 3 days I used the door opener several times and it worked perfect. Then one morning I opened ...
2
votes
1answer
315 views
Garage Fire Wall
I'm in the process of selling my home and the Home Inspector has said the follow:
The fire rating is compromised due to missing drywall at the access opening to the area under the front entry (wood ...
5
votes
2answers
552 views
Fire Extinguisher In Unheated Garage & Shed
We are talking about getting fire extinguishers for the various areas of our house. One place where it seems a fire extinguisher would be a good idea is the garage. I also plan on adding a shed to ...
4
votes
2answers
8k views
How do I frame a room inside a garage so that the room's ceiling will not touch the garage ceiling?
I am considering building a small 6 x 9 room inside my garage to use as an office. However, I do not want to remove the garage door opener unit nor the tracks the door slides on because we will want ...
3
votes
3answers
848 views
Troubleshooting a garage door/opener that “catches” and re-opens when wet
My garage door and opener work reasonably well most of the time -- hot weather or cold.
Sometimes when it rains, though, the door "catches" a little bit, at about 2 feet from the ground, and it is ...
5
votes
1answer
603 views
What is the best way to light a Lexan (Polycarbonate) sheet?
I've recently installed a Lexan 'whiteboard' in my garage which works as well as I'd hoped.
I now want to use some type of lighting to light up the board in a useful/visual appealing way.
Shown ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
How thick should a french cleat be?
I want to use a french cleat to hang some basic open cabinets in my garage. I've seen recommendations anywhere from 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick, but nobody seems to be talking about weight.
Is there a ...
4
votes
4answers
677 views
What is the best tool/method for vine removal?
i recently bought a 108 year old house with an ancient garage that has vines growing up the back of the entire structure. the vines have started getting into the gutters and even inside the garage. ...
