Author: clickgiant

In recent years, catalytic converter theft has become a consistent – and frustrating – problem for vehicle owners. If you are worried about this happening to your car or truck, you might want to think about some preventative steps you can take to reduce your chances of becoming a victim. We’ll take a close look in this article at some of the options that you can consider. Read on for your guide to catalytic converter theft prevention.

Of course, one of the best ways to avoid catalytic converter theft issues is to park your vehicle inside behind a locked door. That’s possible by adding a garage from American Carports, Inc. to your property. Check out our Build & Price tool today to see what options we have available. If you have any questions along the way, contact us for assistance.

Why Is This a Problem?

First, let’s quickly discuss why thieves are after catalytic converters in the first place. What they are not doing is stealing this part to resell it for use on another vehicle – the converter is destroyed in the process of crudely removing it. The goal here is to access the precious metals that are used inside a catalytic converter, as those are quite valuable on the scrap market.

While many local government agencies have enacted laws to make it harder for stolen catalytic converters to be sold to scrap metal dealers, the problem persists and likely will for some time.  In addition to the value of the metal inside the converter, the other problem here is the speed with which this crime can generally be committed. With a bit of practice and know-how, a thief can complete the job in a matter of moments, reducing their chances of being caught in the act.

Finding a vehicle parked in a relatively dark, somewhat isolated area is all the opportunity that is required to get it done and get away before anyone notices. If your catalytic converter is stolen, the cost of having it replaced is something that is typically covered by insurance. Unfortunately, you might not even hit your deductible when you file that claim, so you may skip it just to avoid having your rates go up in the aftermath. That means it might just be an out-of-pocket expense to have a new one installed.

The Ultimate Solution

Without a doubt, the best solution to this problem is to park your vehicle indoors. If you parked behind a closed garage door, potential thieves won’t even be able to see the vehicle, and they would have to work hard to find a way to get inside the garage. Most likely, they won’t even try, and will just move on to look for easier targets, instead.

Of course, you might not have a suitable garage on your property currently, which is where American Carports, Inc. can come to the rescue. Our affordable metal structures are impressively durable and easy to customize. By building something that will provide you with indoor parking – while also offering many other uses – you can keep your vehicle behind a closed door and make it far less likely that any criminal activity will occur.

Other Ideas

While having indoor parking for your vehicle or vehicles is ideal, we recognize that such a solution isn’t viable for everyone. If you can’t park inside, adding an anti-theft device to the vehicle is another option to consider. Doing some quick searching for devices that fit the make and model of vehicle you drive should reveal a list of options. Some of these devices make it physically difficult for thieves to access the converter by putting a barrier around it. Another option is an alarm that will make noise and hopefully send the criminal running.

It’s also worth thinking about where you leave your vehicle when it is parked. Criminals tend to avoid the light, so parking in an area that is well-lit – and ideally has some people around – could help. You won’t always have much of a choice as to where you park, but picking the brighter and busier spot when possible is a smart move.

American Carports Has You Covered

We hope you enjoyed this guide on catalytic converter theft prevention! While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of theft in your life, there are usually steps you can take to make life harder for criminals and hopefully steer clear of any issues. We hope the ideas in the article above have given you something to think about – and if you decide that a new metal garage on your property is the best solution, turn to American Carports, Inc. to make that happen!

To get started, explore our Build & Price tool to see what options we have available. If you have any questions along the way, contact us for assistance. Thanks for stopping by our blog. We hope to serve you soon!

Indoor space is always in high demand. Given the cost of rent in many places, people tend to have less room than they would like – so renting out additional space is often an appealing option. The demand for this type of service can be seen clearly in the explosion of the self-storage market in recent years. Storage facilities have been showing up on seemingly every corner because so many people wish to rent out space to store their things.

So, can you rent out your garage for storage? Yes! And, if you have a garage on your property that isn’t currently full, the opportunity in front of you is obvious. With space available in your garage, and a market full of people that are willing to pay for storage space, you are suddenly faced with a passive business opportunity. In this article, we’ll take a look at the idea of renting out your garage and whether or not this might be a good choice for your situation.

To add a garage on your property that you could rent out for storage, or simply use for your own purposes, turn to American Carports, Inc. for help. Explore our free Build & Price tool to experiment with sizes and design options. If you need any help along the way, contact us at American Carports. Our team is always here to help!

Start with Legal Matters

While it might not be that much fun, it’s best to start this process by focusing on laws in your local area. There is a good chance that you’ll be able to rent out your garage space but check with local government agencies just to be sure. Also, think about what you might need to have in place in terms of insurance.

What happens if the property of others is damaged while being stored on your property? A quick call to your insurance agent could save you a lot of headaches and frustration down the road.

Storage Possibilities

The idea of renting out your garage is appealing because there are so many different possibilities within this space. On the one hand, you could offer it as enclosed, protected parking for a vehicle. This would be helpful to someone who would otherwise need to park on the street – and street parking might not always be available. By renting out space in your garage, they would know that secure parking is always waiting for them when needed.

But parking is not the only use for a garage. Alternatively, you might offer the space up as storage for boxes, furniture, etc. For instance, someone who has recently had to move into a smaller home or apartment for a while might have extra furniture that they want to keep but can’t currently use – and your garage could make for a great home for those pieces. Whatever the case, business is all about solving problems, and your garage can do just that for people in need of space.

How Much Money Can You Make?

What you can charge monthly for your garage storage offering is going to vary wildly from place to place. If you live in an expensive area where space is hard to come by, you should be able to charge top dollar – but rents will be much lower in rural places where space is cheaper and the demand is lower. You might be able to pull in a few thousand dollars per year in a good market, but you will have to get out and shop your space around to figure out what it is worth to someone in your area.

Finding Potential Renters

Perhaps the best way to start looking for renters is to ask around with friends and family. You might find that someone in your circle of connections needs some additional storage space, or they know someone who does. This method is great because you’ll know the people and there will already be some trust established before you get started. If this doesn’t work, you can use any number of different local classified ad options – both digital and traditional – to put the word out.

Build the Perfect Garage with American Carports

So, can you rent out your garage for storage? Absolutely! The idea of renting out your garage is at least worth a closer look to determine if it’s a good fit. If it does work out, you’ll have a mostly passive form of cash flow that could help to offset your expenses and open up other opportunities.

To add a metal structure to your property that would serve as a great space to rent out – or to use for yourself – contact us at American Carports, Inc. today! There are so many ways to design your structure, whether you want to build a 2-car garage or even a 3-car garage. Our stainless metal structures come with a 20-year warranty. Windows, skylights, and doors can all be added on. The sky is the limit!

Explore our Build & Price tool to get started. If you need any help along the way, contact us at American Carports. Our team is always here to help.

The cold winter months present several challenges to drivers. For one thing, you need to be mindful of road conditions, altering your plans when snow or ice make the roads dangerous. But another issue that often comes up in cold weather is frozen windshield wipers. If the temperature drops below the freezing mark, and there is enough moisture on the windshield, the wipers will likely become frozen to the glass. This is a problem not only because you won’t be able to move the wipers if you need them, but also because the rubber wipers might be damaged in the process. We’d like to tackle this problem in the article, below. Read on to learn how to fix frozen windshield wipers.

It’s no secret that winter weather can be harsh on your vehicle. You may also like to consider solutions that help protect your vehicle from other cold-weather car problems, like the dreaded dead winter battery or snow damage to your car and its body. You can accomplish this by adding a detached, insulated garage where you park your vehicle! If that’s the option you want to pursue, get started by exploring our Build & Price tool. If you have any questions about customizing your garage, simply contact us at American Carports. Our team is here to help you design the perfect garage for your vehicle and your home.

Start By Avoiding These Mistakes

Dealing with frozen windshield wipers is as much about what you shouldn’t do as what you should do. First and foremost, absolutely do not bring hot water from your home to pour on the wipers. This seems like a logical step, but it could do serious damage. When the hot water meets the frozen wipers and glass, the windshield could crack due to thermal shock. Sure, this would be the fastest way to get the wipers unstuck and ready to go, but rushing the process just isn’t worth the risk.

Also, resist the temptation to grab the wipers and pull them away from the windshield. In the process of trying to pull them up, you could rip some of the rubber off of the wiper blade, or you might even break the wiper assembly. Again, it’s just not worth the risk, and there is a better way to solve the problem.

The Right Solution

When you find that your wipers are frozen to your windshield, simply get inside the vehicle, turn it on, and turn up the defroster. After a few moments have passed, the air will get warm and the windshield will gradually lose its ice. Yes, this takes longer than pouring hot water on the wipers, but that’s the point – gradually warming the area avoids thermal shock and prevents damage from occurring. You’ll just need to bring some patience with you while sitting behind the wheel and waiting for everything to melt.

If you have to leave your home early in the morning, and you know the temperatures are supposed to drop well below freezing, plan a little extra time into your schedule to defrost the car. Even bumping your alarm clock up by five minutes should be enough to give you the time needed to warm up the vehicle and get ready to hit the road safely.

Prevention Is Even Better

Allowing your defroster to run for a few minutes will gradually thaw out your windshield and the wipers will be released from the frozen grip. This is a good solution when you find yourself in such a situation – but it would be better to avoid such a situation in the first place.

Ideally, that would mean parking inside a garage, where the temperature will be moderated and moisture won’t be able to settle on the vehicle. A properly insulated detached garage can control temperatures by as much as 10 to 20 degrees F. While this may not seem like much, it can mean the difference between freezing temperatures and non-freezing temperatures for your car. If that isn’t possible, you can cover the vehicle with cardboard, a large cloth, or a dedicated car cover. This won’t do anything about the outdoor temperatures, of course, but it should keep moisture from freezing on the windshield, and the wipers won’t be locked up when you are ready to leave.

Protect Your Vehicle with American Carports

We hope you enjoyed this blog on how to fix frozen windshield wipers! As you can imagine, it’s hard to overstate the luxurious feeling of parking inside an insulated metal garage in the middle of winter. If you are used to parking outside and having to deal with the elements, walking out in the morning to a vehicle that has been protected from the weather all night long will be quite a treat. To build a quality structure that is backed by a 20-year warranty and can be expected to stand the test of time, turn to American Carports.

To get started, explore our Build & Price tool. If you have any questions along the way, simply contact us at American Carports. Our team is here to help you design the perfect garage for your vehicle and your home!

There is a lot to love about cats. As pets, they can make life around your house endlessly fun and interesting – but you don’t necessarily want them crawling all over your car. If you have been dealing with the problem of cats making your vehicle something of a home base, we’d like to offer some advice in this article to appropriately deal with the problem.

At American Carports, Inc., metal carports are our specialty. Through the use of our simple Build & Price tool, it’s possible to design something that lines up nicely with your needs, suits your budget, and keeps the neighborhood cats away.

Car Covers Offer Physical Protection

As a starting point, you might think about buying a car cover to protect your vehicle while it is parked. If you are having a problem with cats crawling on your car and marking it up with scratches, the cover will protect the vehicle’s finish and keep it free from damage. As an added bonus, using a car cover will offer protection from other forms of potential damage, such as UV rays from the sun on a hot summer day.

Of course, the notable downside to a car cover is the work you need to do to take it on and off each day. When you head out to your vehicle in the morning, you’ll have to take the cover off – and then you’ll need to put it back on when you return home. This task doesn’t take particularly long, but it might get frustrating doing it day after day. As a result, you might find that you stop bothering with it at all after a while, and then it won’t provide any protection at all.

Try Various Repellant Options

If you don’t want to use a car cover to create a physical barrier between the cat and your car, there are various other techniques that people use to keep cats (and other animals) away. These tend to deliver inconsistent results, so you might have to try a few before you land on something that works.

• One of the common options to keep various types of animals away from a vehicle is to use mothballs. The smell of mothballs is quite unpleasant, and the cats may simply decide to look for somewhere else to hang out rather than dealing with the smell. Of course, that smell isn’t going to be enjoyable for you, either, so if placing them around your vehicle leads to an unwanted odor inside, this technique might not be a win in the end.
• Cayenne pepper. Another option for something you might have around the house is cayenne pepper. If you know where the cats tend to hang out, lightly dust that area with cayenne in an effort to keep them away. It might even work to sprinkle the pepper around the perimeter of the car on the ground so you don’t have to put it directly on the vehicle.
• Buy commercial products. There are plenty of products on the market that are intended to help keep cats away from your vehicle, so you might choose to purchase one of these sprays to see how it works for you.

Address the Root of the Problem

Some of the repellant techniques might pay off for you, at least for a while, but they are a hassle and probably not a good long-term solution. Do you want to sprinkle pepper around your vehicle every night before bed? Probably not. At some point, the best thing you can do is address the problem and figure out where the cats are coming from and why they are hanging around your vehicle.

Who owns the cats? Can you ask that they be kept inside, or at least off of your property? Maybe even asking that the cat’s nails are cut shorter so no damage is done to your vehicle would be a possibility. While it might not always be possible, finding a way to address the issue of stray cats entirely would be the best outcome for all involved.

Keep the Cats Away with American Carports

While the methods we mentioned above all have the potential to be effective strategies for keeping cats away, there is nothing quite like parking your vehicle in a protected space. Building a metal garage with the help of American Carports, Inc. will put a physical barrier before your car and the neighborhood cats. We’d love to help you bring this project to life! Get started on your next project today with our simple Build & Price tool. If you have any questions along the way, our team is always here to help!

One of the easiest ways to get your vehicle looking great is to give it a wash. As dirt and grime build up mile after mile, your car can start to look pretty nasty. Most car owners give it no second thought, and a quick trip through the car wash it is.

Not so fast. There is some concern that the act of washing your car could actually be harmful in the long run. Is that true? This article is going to dive into this topic and help you understand the big picture of what car washes can do to your car and how to make them a healthy part of your car maintenance plan.

If you are someone who takes car care seriously, you would probably love to park your vehicle under a roof, rather than out in the open. For that, turn to Carport Kingdom to add an affordable carport or metal garage to your property. You might be surprised by how easy this project can be, and when you order from us, the building you receive can be expected to last for many years to come. Start by trying our Build & Price tool, and contact us if you have any questions along the way!

Are Car Washes Bad for Your Car?

Determining whether or not a car wash is going to damage your vehicle depends entirely on how the car is being washed. Generally speaking, automatic car washes – the kind you pay a few dollars to drive through – are going to be pretty rough on your vehicle’s finish.

Sure, the car might look sparkly when you drive away, but some damage was likely done that could come back to haunt you later on. Some automatic car washes are better than others, but you can assume that at least a little damage will be incurred when you take this option.

As you might imagine, hand washing is far better for your vehicle in terms of avoiding damage. Sure, you might still create some tiny little scratches, but if you do the job carefully, your vehicle’s finish should come away in good shape and the car will be nicely cleaned when you are done. If at all possible, opt for hand washing over automatic car washes to help protect your vehicle’s finish in the long run.

The Best Way to Care for Your Car

Just skipping out on washing your car entirely isn’t the right way to approach this matter. After all, washing your car doesn’t just make it look nice, but it also has some protective benefits by taking dirt and grime off the vehicle that could gradually harm the finish over time. So, what you’ll want to do is come up with a plan that allows you to keep your car clean throughout the year without inflicting too much unintentional harm along the way. Here are some tips to do just that –

• Mostly hand wash. We aren’t going to say that you should never take your vehicle through an automatic car wash, because that might not be reasonable for your situation. But we do think you should wash your car by hand most of the time, if at all possible. Then, the occasional automatic wash won’t be a big deal, especially if you visit a quality facility with good equipment.
• Buy good gear. Speaking of quality equipment, be sure to invest in good supplies to perform your hand washes. That means buying nice towels and brushes to work on your vehicle, and even spending a little more on quality car wash soap. The small things can make a big difference in the results you get for your efforts, so build a good kit of car wash gear and your time is sure to be well spent.
• Apply some wax. If you are willing to go through the extra step of adding some wax after you wash your car, you’ll be creating a protective layer that can help keep the vehicle’s finish in good condition. You don’t have to do this after every wash, but keep it in mind when you have some extra time and want your vehicle to look its very best.

Protect Your Vehicle with American Carports

After taking the time to care for your vehicle, it would be a shame to allow your car to be harmed by the conditions that Mother Nature might throw your way. To keep your vehicle protected, consider parking under a metal structure from Carport Kingdom. Our carports are affordable, impressively durable, and can be styled to look great alongside your home or other buildings. We are excited to work with you on this project. Start by trying our Build & Price tool, and contact us if you have any questions along the way!

For many folks across the U.S., you can count on plenty of snowy days when winter comes around. When driving in freezing conditions, we all know that maintaining traction on the road is critical for safety. If you are thinking about ordering snow tires for your vehicle, there are a few questions to ask yourself first. Are snow tires worth it? And, are they the best option for you? Here’s what you need to know before you make a purchase.

Beyond the possibility of adding snow tires to your vehicle, another nice step you can take for winter comfort and convenience is adding a carport to your property. By using covered parking throughout the winter, you’ll enjoy plenty of benefits. Keeping snow off your vehicle is only the beginning! You can also look forward to other perks, including reducing your chances of the dreaded dead winter car battery. Check out the possibilities with our Build & Price tool, and contact us directly if you have any questions along the way!

Snow Tires vs All-Season Tires

When it comes to choosing between snow tires or all-season tires, snow tires will almost always outperform all-season tires under snowy and icy conditions. Snow tires work by giving you better traction, more stability, and better stopping power. All-season tires really can’t come close when it comes to what snow tires are capable of on frosty roads.

While it’s common knowledge that snow tires are made for winter conditions, you might not be aware that these kinds of tires actually help your vehicle’s performance even when it’s not snowing.

There are a couple of notable ways in which snow tires are different from standard, all-season tires. First is the tread pattern. Where the tread layout on standard tires might get clogged up by snow and ice on the roads, a snow tire is engineered to get that snow buildup out of the treads as fast as possible. This means that the treads stay exposed to the road, rather than getting clogged as soon as you start driving, and you maintain a better grip on the road as a result.

Another factor that is regularly overlooked, but just as important, is the tread compound used to create snow tires. The rubber of a standard all-season tire is going to get quite hard in the cold weather, and the surface of the tire can be slick and rigid as a result. That does not lead to good grip in winter conditions. Dedicated winter tires will feature a softer compound, so cold temperatures don’t present those same issues. This wouldn’t work particularly well in warm weather, but that’s why they are designated for cold climates – the soft compound is a great option in such a setting.

Managing Snow Tires

As mentioned above, some of the characteristics of snow tires are not suitable for warmer conditions. For this reason, most people who own a set of snow tires take them on and off their vehicle depending on the season. They use all-season tires throughout the warmer parts of the year and snow tires when the temperatures start to drop. Yes, this means owning two sets of tires, but you get far better performance throughout the year as a result.

Just like with any other set of tires, you want to keep them inflated to an appropriate level based on the recommendations for the tire and your vehicle. You’ll also need to think in advance about your storage solution for this set of tires when they aren’t on your vehicle, so be sure you have a garage or other space available where four tires can live for half of the year.

The Financial Picture

It would be easy enough to think that having snow tires is going to be more expensive than just going with all-season tires, since you have to own two sets rather than one. But each of those sets is only working for half the year – so they will wear down half as quickly as they would if on your vehicle for all twelve months. In the end, if your tires are managed properly and kept at a suitable pressure level, you should wind up spending the same amount of money in the long run, and you’ll get much better traction in varied driving conditions.

Stay Covered this Winter with American Carports

Adding a set of snow tires is a great way to care for your vehicle and to keep you safe on the road during the cold winter months. While you are thinking about what you can do for your vehicle this winter, also consider the addition of a parking structure from American Carports, Inc. With a quality set of winter tires and a protected place to park when not on the road, you’ll be ready for whatever the season has in store. Check out the possibilities with our Build & Price tool, and contact us directly if you have any questions along the way!

Carports are not a one-size-fits-all type of structure. While you can probably picture a “basic” carport that is little more than a roof with a few legs for support, that’s just a starting point for what can be created when building a new carport. We’d like to use this article to provide some fun, unique carport design ideas to consider for your upcoming project.

Speaking of that project, working with American Carports, Inc. is the best way to make sure you’ll get a quality structure at a fair price! With our free Build & Price tool, you can be sure that the carport you receive is going to nicely match your needs. Contact us today to learn more!

#1 – A Detached Garage

There is no rule that says you have to park your vehicle right up next to your house. In fact, in some cases, it will make more sense to establish a parking spot that is comfortably away from the home. By designing your carport to serve as a detached garage, you could even include some enclosed storage space in the back of the structure for garden tools, lawn chairs, etc. This is an affordable way to add the garage-like building you’ve always wanted, in a spot on your property that makes the most sense.

#2 – A Small Roof

Sometimes, all you need is a modest covered space to keep some of your things out of the weather. You might not even need a place to park – you could simply design a small carport to protect some supplies or maybe outdoor toys like a kayak or canoe. Whatever the case, building with American Carports, Inc. will allow you to customize the design of your small carport to make sure it has the right footprint for the space you have available.

#3 – Create a Covered Entry

We talked earlier about not putting your carport right up next to the house, but with this idea, that’s exactly what you are going to do. In this case, your carport will serve as a covered entry, perhaps taking the form of a lean-to that is built close enough to your existing house to let you park and walk inside without a single drop of rain landing on your head. If you have always wanted an entry that was protected from the elements but other construction options were beyond your available budget, this could be a great solution.

#4 – The Carport Workshop

Who says a workshop has to be a fully enclosed space? While four full walls will be needed for some types of workspaces, you could turn your metal carport into a functional shop with the right planning and by selecting some key features offered by American Carports, Inc. Specifically, think about which sides of the carport you will want to have protected from the elements, and be sure to add walls on those sides to keep the inside nice and dry. You can also customize the height of the structure to be sure that any projects you decide to work on will fit underneath without any trouble.

#5 – An Entertaining Space

Your new carport doesn’t have to be functional at all in terms of parking or storage – you could opt to use it simply as a covered patio for friends and family to relax and hang out. Again, metal carports are an affordable way to add a roof to your property without diving into more expensive forms of construction. And, since you can easily customize our designs to add the right colors and styling for your tastes, you’ll be as happy with how this carport looks as you are with how it performs.

#6 – Animal Refuge

Here’s another possibility that may serve you well – designing a carport to serve as a comfortable place for animals to get in and out of the weather, when needed. If you own property that is home to large animals – such as horses, for example – creating a carport space that they can retreat to when the weather gets particularly hot will upgrade their quality of life right away. It’s also easy to add enclosed storage space to this kind of carport, helping you store some of your animal-related supplies without taking up room elsewhere on the property.

Start Building Here

We hope the list above helps spark some creative thinking on what form your new carport could take as it is designed and built. Explore our free Build & Price tool to discover your options! And, be sure to reach out to American Carports, Inc. if you need any help along the way. Our team is ready to help answer your questions and bring your project to life! Thanks for your time and we hope to serve you soon!

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the last thing you want to worry about is car care. Fortunately, there’s still time to prepare for the cold and snowy season ahead. To help you get started, read on for seven easy tips for winter car storage.

#1 – Protect Your Engine

Corrosion is a big concern anytime your car sits idle for long periods, and fresh oil helps keep your engine parts lubed up and protected from this problem happening in the first place.

#2 – Avoid Flat Spots

Fill your tires up to the appropriate air pressure before you park the vehicle for the winter. If you put the vehicle away with too little air in the tires, those tires might develop flat spots while the car sits for months. Also, if at all possible, it’s wise to move the vehicle just slightly throughout the season. For example, you might decide to move the car just a foot or so on the first day of every month during the winter. That minor movement will change the contact patch where the tire is touching the ground, helping to avoid flat spot issues.

#3 – Extend the Life of Your Battery

If you leave the battery connected to your car throughout the winter, it almost certainly will be dead when you return in the spring. Even if the car is off, the connected battery will slowly drain away. With that said, some cars recommend against storing them without the battery, so check on storage information for your make and model and make your plans accordingly. If you do need to leave the battery in the vehicle, invest in a trickle charger to keep it topped off along with a battery blanket. These items are relatively affordable and can go a long way toward keeping your battery in good condition throughout the storage period.

#4 – Think About the Tank

There isn’t a consensus on what you should do with your gas tank when it comes time to store a vehicle for a while. On the one hand, some people believe it’s best to fill the tank to the top and leave it full for the winter. However, on the other side, some think draining it out is the right solution.

So, who’s right? Well, that’s hard to say, but it seems like going with a full tank is going to be your best bet. What you don’t want to happen during the winter is for water condensation to accumulate in the tank and lead to corrosion. With a full tank, you don’t have to worry about that issue.

#5 – Consider Rodents

Mice and rats aren’t shy about looking for anywhere they can hide out that is dark and comfortable. Unfortunately, that description matches perfectly with your vehicle when it is in storage mode, so you might find yourself discovering some unwanted guests in the car when spring comes around. Make it a point to prepare for this possibility at the start of storage season so you can reduce the chances that critters will make your car their new home for the holidays.

As a starting point, you might opt to use some mouse or rat traps around the area where your vehicle will be stored. This is a good first line of defense, as you might manage to catch some of the potential invaders before they have a chance to explore the vehicle. In addition to the traps, try to block off the easy paths for critters to get into your car, such as the exhaust pipe. Of course, it’s essential to remove these impediments before you run the car again, so make a note for yourself and put it on the steering wheel or driver’s seat.

#6 – Run the Engine

This is another one of those points that see plenty of disagreement between various parties, so you’ll need to decide where you land on this point and then proceed accordingly. With that said, it is believed by some that it’s a good idea to start the vehicle once in a while during the winter just to let the fluids move around and keep everything from getting stagnant. Even if you aren’t going to drive anywhere, you can just run the engine for a few minutes and then shut it back down again. This is an easy enough point to manage, but you will have to temporarily undo some of your winterizing measures and then put them back in place once the engine is off.

#7 – Take Cover

Parking in a protected spot is the best thing that you can do for your vehicle during the winter, whether you’re storing it or not. Keeping the persistent rains and snows off of your vehicle, and keeping it sheltered from falling debris, will make it much easier to keep your prized car in prime condition until the weather improves. Better yet, parking in an insulated garage or carport will offer an extra layer of protection from harsh temperatures.

Prepare for the Holiday Season with American Carports

There are plenty of great strategies for storing your car in the winter, but nothing quite compares to the effectiveness of a durable metal building from American Carports, Inc. If you’re ready to explore your options, start with our free Build & Price tool. Financing is available, and our 20-year warranty is always included. If you have any questions along the way, our team is always here to help!

Owning a boat is a great way to have fun exploring local waters with family and friends – but it can be a lot of work to store and maintain. If you don’t have a good plan for how you are going to store the boat you plan to purchase, consider buying a carport for your boat.

With a carport on your property that is specifically intended to serve as a home for your boat, you’ll always have a covered place to park the vessel when it is not in use. Read on for five careful considerations before making your purchase! Or, if you’re ready to start customizing the perfect home base for your boat, explore our free Build & Price tool today.

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#1 – Choose a Location

Choosing a location for your carport is the most important part of your project. You need to figure out where on your property this new home base will live and how you’ll get your boat in and out of the carport. Remember, you’ll have to be able to drive right up to the carport to drop off the boat along with enough room to maneuver your boat while it’s on the trailer. Only move forward with the project once you have figured out exactly where the carport will be constructed.

#2 – Consider Legal Issues

You may have to deal with some administrative steps before you can build a carport. For people who live way out in the country with no neighbors for miles, this likely won’t be an issue; regulations are minimal in such areas, but it’s smart to double-check anyway. On the other hand, if you live in a city or a neighborhood with an HOA, there will be plenty of rules to consider. Get this information sorted out from the start before you place an order and schedule a date for construction. The last thing you want to do is take your new carport down because it wasn’t allowed to be there in the first place.

#3 – Get the Sizing Right

If the point of this new carport is to serve as a home for your boat, make sure that it’s big enough to fit your boat along with a few accessories. Remember, you’ll need to back your boat into the carport while it’s on a trailer, so give yourself a little margin for error to be safe. If the carport is barely wider than the boat trailer, you’ll spend a lot of time trying to get perfectly lined up for each approach.

In addition to the width of the carport also consider the length and height of the boat. It’s not only the height of the boat itself that matters but also its height when trailered. Check all these dimensions and allow some margin on all sides to be safe.

#4 – More Than One Purpose?

While you are building a new carport, you may also want to think about designing this structure such that it can do more than just serve as boat parking. For instance, you could create an enclosed space in the back of the carport for indoor storage, or you could make it wide enough to park both your boat and perhaps a jet ski or kayak. The marginal cost of making your carport bigger may be worth it in the end.

#5 – Foundation Decisions

If possible, a concrete foundation is ideal for your new carport. The weight of your boat and the process of moving it in and out is far easier with a concrete pad in place as opposed to loose gravel. Putting the concrete in place as soon as possible will set the stage for a smooth carport installation process.

Design Your Custom Carport

Choosing or designing the right carport for your boat is easy enough when you consider the basic points outlined above. You can be left with a durable, attractive structure that will protect your boat for many years to come.

If you are still interested in buying a carport for your boat, remember to explore our free Build & Price tool.

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