How to Prevent Flooding in Your Garage

Apr 17, 2017 | Tips

Neglecting your gutters can cause a flooding problem in your garage. Gutter traps guide the rain and snow from your roof to the ground protecting your home and its foundation. Without gutter traps, the water will fall next to your house creating a pool near the foundation structure. Clogged gutters traps interfere with the operation of your garage door and can damage your home. If your gutters are not clear, then rain run-off water will trickle onto your garage door as it makes it way to the pavement. If you own a wood garage door, the moisture can cause swelling and operational issues.

Your garage door can freeze shut during the winter if too much water leaks and pools around the foundation and under door leaks due to blocked gutters. So what should you do?

Clean your gutters and route the water away from your house. Weatherstrips are tight seals between the bottom of your door and garage floor; they protect your garage from minor flooding. Replacing weather stripping will keep snow, rain, sleet and other weather elements out of your garage. Weather stripping wears away after years of friction and exposure, so make sure to stay on top of repairs.

Inspect the foundation for cracks and damages. When your home settles it shifts. This can cause the foundation to crack slightly. On rainy days the small cracks in your garage can make it flood easier. When the water seeps through the cracks, it erodes and widens the space until the water pours through your garage. Consider sealing them with waterproof paint or vinyl concrete patch.

Install adequate drainage. If your yard slopes toward your garage the water may pool up faster than it can drain. You may need to install french drains or trench drain along with your driveway or in front of your garage. This way, you channel the water away from your home. Keep in mind to direct the drain away from your neighbor’s yard or public sidewalk.

Install flood vents. Allow water to flow through your garage unobstructed so that water doesn’t exert pressure on your doors or foundation. The flood waters might not rise high enough to reach your home’s living space. However, a minor floor can have enough pressure to crush your garage door.

Use flood barriers and sandbags. This technique is used to redirect water away from your property and toward the street via sandbags. This option will not completely seal your garage, but it will reduce flooding during massive downpours. Stack the sandbags in a pyramid-shaped wall near the flood zone area. You will not need a fortress of sandbags around your property. It can cause more damage. You can purchase flood barriers or “quick dams” and place the products around your property. Quick damns expand once in contact with water. The swollen barriers can reach several inches high in a few minutes.

Understand what type of water is flooding your garage. If the water is contaminated or sewage, for example, then contact your local professional for help. However, if it’s fresh water from pipes then:

  • 1. Stop the water from spreading
  • 2. Remove wet items and allow them to dry
  • 3. Use towels, mop, or a wet vac to remove the water

If your garage has an overwhelming amount of water, don’t use an extension cord as the connection – it can shock you. Consider renting a sump pump from a hardware store. You have to remove all of the water, even if it’s an inch, to prevent mold growth. Dry out the area and disinfect it. Use a good disinfectant to get rid of bacteria that might have come up through sewers, toilets, etc. Clean the walls, wood, and non-upholstered furniture that sat in the flood water.

Need help repairing your garage door and restoring your garage space? Garage Doors of Indianapolis is available for emergency and regular repairs for commercial and residential garage doors. Contact us to schedule an assessment.

Related Posts

The Importance of Garage Door Insulation

The garage is often relegated to a space for stashing forgotten belongings or housing the family car, though it stands as a silent hero for our homes. With the right care and attention, the garage can become an integral part of our living spaces, providing security...

COVID-19 VIRUS NOTICE

Garage Doors of Indianapolis Inc. Values its customers and employees. In light of this we have taken the following steps. Our Showroom will be closed until May 1st, we have asked all our technicians and installers to take steps to help prevent the spread of the virus....

Repairing or replacing broken garage door sections

Maybe you’ve been playing with your family and a stray baseball or hockey puck causes damage to a section of your garage door. Maybe a tree limb falls against the door in a storm. Maybe you’re parked in your driveway and accidentally put your car into drive instead of...

How to Reattach a Garage Door After Using the Emergency Pull

REATTACHING A GARAGE DOOR AFTER USING THE EMERGENCY PULL Homeowners pull emergency release cords for a number of reasons. Maybe your opener malfunctioned in the middle of opening the garage door. Maybe the sensors on your garage door are sensing an obstruction when...

Top 10 Preventive Maintenance Tips for Garage Door Owners

Best Ways to Do Maintenance on Your Garage Doors Your garage door is an important part of your home and your commute, and it’s easy to take it for granted. Every homeowner is used to simply pressing a button and having this large piece of equipment do its job with no...

Is It Safe for Me to Repair My Own Garage Door Spring?

DIY GARAGE DOOR SPRING REPLACEMENT It’s an unmistakable sound – the snap of a spring or the crash of a door. It’s the sound you least want to hear as you get ready to leave the house. If you haven’t heard it, consider yourself lucky. No, it’s not a cheap horror movie...

How Regular Garage Door Servicing Saves You Hassle In the Future

Do you know the last time your garage door was serviced? When you open and close your garage door every day, do you think about all of the common problems that could occur without regular service from a garage door professional? Smart homeowners know that getting...

Ways To Winterize Your Garage Door

As we run to and from the car this winter, you might think of a garage as nothing more than a middle ground that protects you from the harsh outdoors and it’s unforgiving elements. However, we can’t forget the good times of pulling out the pool floaties and grabbing a...

Deciding On An Insulated Garage Door For Your Business

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? Garage Doors of Indianapolis offers a large array of commercial garage doors for any Central Indiana facility, backed by good quality at a great price. Our selection includes insulated and non-insulated doors, both with and without glass. Rolling...

How “Smart” is Your Garage Door?

The future of technology lies in custom-built homes. A garage door renovation might seem like it’ll break the bank, but it doesn’t have to be. Having work done on your garage door can make a big difference, from curb appeal to increased usefulness. One of the most...