People park their cars in the garage for protection, not for their car to be damaged. However, for some people, parking in the garage is an invitation for damage. From dents to scratches, a number of mishaps can lead to vehicle damage. Learn some practical steps you can take now to keep your car protected inside your home's garage.
1. Be Smart
In some situations, the reason for vehicle damage comes down to the fact that there is not enough space inside the garage to park safely, especially when the garage houses two vehicles. Measure the amount of space inside your garage and make smart decisions about parking inside. From wall to wall, you need a minimum of 24 feet of open space in the garage for two cars. A garage that is this wide leaves ample space for two vehicles, and the additional clearance needed for opening the car doors. If you're able to fit two cars in the garage but struggle to open the doors, the space is too small. Each time you tap the door against the other car or wall, you're causing damage to your vehicle. Eliminate some of the items inside the garage to free up space or park only one vehicle in the garage.
2. Organize the Space
Garages are typically the room items go when there is no other space inside the home for them. As a result, garages are often cluttered and unorganized. A garage that resembles a maze is an accident waiting to happen.
An overcrowded shelf could collapse in the middle of the night and crash down on to your car. Items on the floor could puncture the tires, and each time you open the door to exit your vehicle, the door could slam into the large pile of stuff you have stored against the wall.
Organizing the garage can eliminate these and many other hazards. Overhead storage systems are ideal since they keep the walls on the side of your car clear.
3. Increase Lighting
Compared to the interior spaces of a home, the garage often has poor lighting. When a driver can't see clearly, the likelihood of vehicle damage only increases. Even if the garage is organized, if it's too dimly lit, you may not be able to see any obstructions up ahead.
On a busy day in a dark garage, a driver could also hit reverse to back out of the garage before remembering to open the door, which would cause significant damage to the car and the garage door. If you currently have incandescent bulbs in the space, replace them with brighter LED lights.
4. Designate Play Areas
For homes with younger children, create a designated play space that is not inside the garage. Children can store their toys inside the space, but they should not play inside the garage if there is a car parked inside. They might cause damage to a car if, for instance, they ride their bike, lose their balance, and strike the side of the car door. When playing with balls and other toys, it's equally easy to lose grip of the ball and slam it into the car. or either scenario, you could be dealing with a dent or scratched paint. Encourage your children to play in the yard away from the vehicle, as playing in the driveway with the garage door open is just as risky. The more effort you put into keeping your garage safe, the less likely you are to experience damage. However, in the event of the inevitable, at Jim's Auto Body, we're here to help. From collision repair to auto painting, we offer a wide range of auto body services. Don't hesitate to contact us for help.