5 Steps to Prevent Garage Flooding

Floods can occur all year round, especially in the beginning of spring. That’s when flooding becomes more of a concern in areas where snow thaws and thunderstorms occur. When excess water accumulates around a home, the garage is one of the first areas that can get flooded, possibly causing thousands of dollars in damage. Here are essential tips to prevent garage floods for homeowners:

Maintaining the Weather-stripping around the Garage

Weather-stripping such as self-adhesive tape and rubber and vinyl stripping provides protection against water intrusion and helps maintain the temperature in the garage. The seal at the bottom of the garage door is enough to protect it against minor flooding. However, weather-stripping will wear off after years of exposure and should be replaced regularly. The stripping should be checked for cracks or other signs of damage and replaced if necessary.

Checking the Foundation for Cracks and Damage

Although some of these cracks are barely visible, they provide a space for water to seep through and make the home more vulnerable to flooding. The foundation should be checked for cracks, which should be sealed with waterproof paint or a vinyl concrete patch. For larger cracks, it’s best to hire a professional contractor.

Improving the Drainage around the Home

When the street gutters and drains are overwhelmed with flood water, the home becomes vulnerable to flooding. This is why having adequate drainage on a property is important. Installing French drains in front of the garage (or along the driveway) can help keep excess water away from the home’s foundation.

Installing Flood Vents

During a severe storm, the chance of flooding is increased and the garage door typically can’t withstand powerful floodwaters. Flood vents allow flood water from outside to flow through the garage unobstructed. Although this might seem like a bad idea, flood vents are designed to protect a home’s living space from water damage by allowing the garage to flood.

Using Flood Barriers or Sandbags

Flood barriers should be installed around the 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 a home.

The basement is also an area of a home that is highly prone to flooding. Here are tips to prevent flooding in basements. More general tips to protect a home from flooding can be found here. The PuroClean team stands ready to provide professional restoration services to any property affected by fire, water or mould damage. It is best to prevent garage floods before they occur but if they do happen, call us at (705) 710-0606.