One more thing on this list is how the quality of air in your attached garage is. This one, unlike most others, does need to be pondered though. Your Sabre Springs garage is a crucial space in your home. When designed properly with custom garage cabinets and other types of garage storage, it should work as an incredibly comfortable extension of your living space.
The air quality of your attached garage matters because the room’s two main purposes are for storing items that can include hazardous materials and parking emission-releasing vehicles.
Since most garages are attached to the houses, they naturally affect the overall safety of the property. Also, paying attention to the air quality of this space is important because you and your family probably spend a lot of time in there, working, exercising, or entertaining.
Hazards of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Garages in La Jolla
You already know the hazards of carbon monoxide (CO) in your home. Compared to 10 years ago, CO detectors are now far more advanced and commonplace in households. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for VOCs.
These compounds are commonly found in cleaning products, furnishings, office equipment, building materials, and paint, and they slowly discharge chemicals into the air you breathe. Benzene is the most common VOC found in homes but it’s usually in such small amounts that it’s not dangerous.
Nothing bad so far, right? Here’s the bad part: studies show that houses that have an attached garage have 3 times more Benzene in their indoor air than houses that have a detached garage. Benzene is a known human carcinogen. Prolong exposure to it can cause many severe illnesses and allergies.
How To Improve the Air Quality In Your Attached Garage?
As ominous as it all sounds, there are things you can do to make the air safer for you and your loved ones. Remember that clutter in your home and in the garage contributes to hazards and pollution. A thoughtful Sabre Springs garage remodel can help you organize your space and allow for better indoor air circulation.
#Do NOT Smoke In the Garage
Most people think that having their smoke in the garage instead of their main living space is more responsible – it’s not. This is for two reasons – a) smoking produces benzene, and b) smoking in a space where you probably store cardboard boxes, old books, documents, and other flammable substances is not wise.
#Do NOT Idle Your Car In the Garage
For some reason, if you have a habit of warming up your car inside your garage, stop doing that. Yes, even with the garage door open. Idling away your vehicle in the garage for long periods is one sure-shot way to wreak havoc on your indoor air quality. It doesn’t matter how tough your car’s emission standards are, Benzene, carbon monoxide, and several other types of pollutants are released into the air from a running car. Unless it’s electric, of course!
If you have to do it, do it outside, with your vehicle’s exhaust a few feet away from your open garage door in Scripps Ranch. On that note, don’t run any gas-powered tools inside your garage either. Make sure all items are stored safely in your La Jolla garage wall cabinets or in the garage overhead storage, and are not left exposed to vehicle emissions.
#Store Flammable Substances In A Storage Shed
Instead of storing your paint cans, fertilizers, solvents, gas cans, pool chemicals, and gas-powered tools inside your La Jolla garage storage cabinets, keep them in a well-ventilated shed for safety as well as garage air quality. When temperatures run high, these substances release an increased level of VOCs in the air. Keeping them in an attached garage is a bad idea. If you don’t have a separate shed, you may want to look for a way to dispose of/donate them.
#Install A Ventilation System
A properly installed ventilation system in the garage is your best defense against poor air quality. It will give you better airflow, which will reduce the condensation levels that lead to mold and mildew, help remove VOCs, and help maintain more stable temperatures. A mechanical ventilation system installed above your garage wall cabinets or on your garage’s roof is a great option. A wind-powered roof vent system is cheaper and less effective, but hey, something is better than nothing.
#Use Eco-Friendly Epoxy Garage Flooring
One way to keep VOC levels low in your garage is by using environmentally-friendly products for your DIY and home improvement projects. The floor coating in your garage makes the room look nicer and also adds protection for the floor surface. Now, almost all garage flooring coatings are made up of a combination of different chemicals, but some release more VOCs than others.
For example, polyaspartic epoxy garage flooring in La Jolla contains the lowest levels of VOCs (trace amounts, compared to other options), making them the safest choice. Not only will your garage floor look like a million bucks, but it will also keep the air healthy.
#Air the Space Out Every Once In A While
Even after you have shut your car off, it releases benzene into your garage’s air. On top of that, you most likely have a garage cabinet system that’s used to store a wide range of items that release VOCs, such as paint, varnishes, glues, gasoline, thinners, furniture wax, etc.
So, airing your La Jolla garage out periodically is a very good idea. It will lower the levels of VOCs and also help get rid of that musty, stale smell that older garages can develop. We recommend using a fan to speed up the process.
#Keep the Garbage Cans Clean
No one likes a stinky space. If you don’t have a proper system for trash disposal, i.e., garbage cans are usually left open and dirty inside your garage, it’s time to change that. Make sure the garbage bins or cans have functional lids that can contain the foul odors.
If you’re thinking of investing in a garage storage system, consider installing custom garage cabinets in Sabre Springs for specific purposes including one for keeping the trash bin. And don’t forget to clean out the garbage receptacles regularly with soap/bleach and a bristle cleaning brush.
#Declutter and Clean Regularly
When your garage is full of junk, it can be tough to find the motivation to clean it regularly. This can lead to an accumulation of dirt and dust which will further deteriorate the air quality. So, try to keep your garage area tidy and clutter-free for better airflow.
Old clothes and cardboard boxes also retain moisture, increasing the risk of mold and mildew in the Sabre Springs garage. Take your time, enlist your family members or friends, and clean out all the junk that you don’t need any more. Once all the unnecessary stuff is gone, it will be easy to dust, vacuum, and mop around the garage periodically.
If you have a large garage that’s filled to the brim, and you don’t want to handle the cluttering process on your own, our garage organization experts at Garage Excell will be happy to help. Once you are free of stuff that’s not serving you any longer, we can install helpful garage storage systems like custom garage wall cabinets, overhead racks, and Slatwall panels to make garage organization easier.
Contact Us Today To Get Started With Garage Remodeling In La Jolla
Paying a little more attention to your attached garage’s air quality will keep your family and home safe. All you need is some preventative maintenance (shared above) and a thoughtfully designed garage storage system in La Jolla. If you need professional help with getting your garage cleaner, safer, and better organized, call us at 877-573-6637 or send us a message here.