Don’t Let Flooding Ruin Your Garage – Learn How to Prevent It

Floods can occur almost any time of the year. In the beginning of spring, flooding becomes more of a concern in areas where snow thaws and thunderstorms occur. When excess water accumulates around your home, your garage is one of the first areas that can get flooded, possibly causing thousands of dollars in damage. Here are a few tips to help prevent your garage from flooding:

• Maintain weatherstripping around the garage door. Weatherstripping (such as self-adhesive tape and rubber and vinyl stripping) provides protection against water intrusion and helps maintain the temperature in your garage. The seal at the bottom of your garage door is enough to protect your garage against minor flooding. However, weatherstripping will wear off after years of exposure and should be replaced regularly. Check the stripping for cracks or other signs of damage and replace it if necessary.
• Check your foundation for cracks and damage. Although some of these cracks are barely visible, they provide a space for water to seep through and make your home more vulnerable to flooding. Inspect your foundation for cracks and seal them with waterproof paint or a vinyl concrete patch. For larger cracks, call a professional contractor.
• Improve drainage around your home. When the street gutters and drains are overwhelmed with flood water, your home becomesvulnerable to flooding. This is why having adequate drainage on your property is important. Install French drains in front of your garage (or along your driveway) that can transport excess water away from your home’s foundation.
• Install flood vents. During a severe storm, the chance of flooding is increased and your garage door usually can’t withstand the force exerted by powerful floodwaters. Flood vents allow flood water from outside to flow through your garage unobstructed. Although this might seem like a bad idea, flood vents are designed to protect your home’s living space from water damage by allowing your garage to flood.
• Use flood barriers or sandbags. Install flood barriers around your property. They act as short dams that expand when in contact with water and help stop low-level flooding efficiently. When used properly, sandbags can direct water away from your home.

The basement is also an area of your home that is highly prone to flooding. Check out these tips to protect your basement from being flooded. Learn more general tips to protect your home from flooding here. For flood water damage repair and mold remediation service, contact your local PuroClean office.