Every time we hit winter in this area of Australia, our garages fill up with rain and then flood the whole house. The problem sure is a headache to handle. Who will love the idea of walking through water all the time? I don’t know about you, but I hate it. Of course, the only easy solution is to close off everything inside and leave it until spring when most of the moisture has evaporated from outside temperatures being warmer than they usually are, so there isn’t as much condensation on cold surfaces or roofs, etc. but is it the best idea? No way. So, let’s find the methods to block water entering our garage.
The golden rules to keep water out of the garage
1. Trench Drain
This method is pretty simple:
- You dig down a trench about 2 feet deep. Then you lay down some gravel and soil.
- You place a grate over the trench.
- You install a drainage pipe and connect it to your existing sewer line.
The NDS Water Grate System is a great way to prevent water damage to your basement, garage, crawlspace, or foundation.
2. Inspect the seal
If you have a garage, you know that one of the worst things is when water starts to seep in and mess everything up. To prevent this from happening, you should inspect the seal regularly. If you notice any cracks or holes, get them fixed as soon as possible.
If the weatherstripping needs replacing, you can replace it with a threshold seal or install a threshold seal. This will create an additional barrier against water and debris.
There is also a chance of debris blocking the sensor. You may need to replace the opener’s batteries or adjust the alignment.
Finally, if there are no other options, you may just have to paint over a hole in the garage door.
3. Check the threshold
Check the threshold seals regularly to make sure they are in good condition. Ensure that the bottom seal, the bottom threshold seal, the top and side seals, and the in-between panel seals are all in good condition. If there are any floor gaps, install a garage threshold seal.
4. Grassing beside the driveway
It is more likely that rainwater will flow back to your garage and under your garage door if your driveway is lower than the ground level around it. You can implement grading without too much difficulty. Dig around the driveway to lower the level by filling the earth with coarse grading.
If you’re concerned about the look of the stones, you can even look for varieties that come in varying colors and textures. Modern grading provides a wide range of decorative options. Maintaining a dry garage while maintaining a stylish aesthetic is possible.
5. Seals on doors and floors
Your garage will be protected from water entry with this method. To prevent water from creeping under your garage door and entering your garage, a special seal is installed under the door that prevents the entrance of water underneath the door. Depending on your needs, you can purchase these products online or install them yourself.
There is also a very simple mechanism behind this whole process. Gravity is the basic principle that is used in this process. Despite the seal being designed in a triangle, small amounts of water cannot penetrate the garage as it cannot travel up the slope.
6. Guttering
Adding guttering to your garage can reduce the probability of water entering. Consider the following scenario: it is heavy raining out, and much of the moisture from your roof simply runs off into your driveway, which then flows back into your garage door as the water runs off.
There is no way to prevent rainwater from falling on the ground. Wouldn’t it be great if you could direct roof water far away from your garage? You can, which is good news. Rather than having the waterfall into the garage, gutters are installed around the roof to guide it away from it.
Water that normally falls in the garage will be redirected to the backyard, which can fall harmlessly when installing long gutters under your house. The solution does not completely solve the moisture problem around garage doors if you get heavy rains, but it certainly helps.
7. Check the foundation
Check the foundation regularly for cracks or damage. If you see any, seal them with caulk or another appropriate material. Check the seals around the perimeter of your garage door for condition. If they’re damaged, replace them. Also, check the seals around the threshold, top and side seals, and in-between panel seals. Make sure there are no gaps. If there are, fill them with caulk or another appropriate material.
8. Check the gutters
In order to keep water out of your garage, make sure the gutters are clean and plugged up. If you have a problem with water sealing in, consider replacing the windows or gutter screens or sealing the garage floor properly.
9. Check the place around the garage
A garage is a place where most people store their cars and motorcycles. It is also a space that needs to be carefully maintained so it doesn’t get contaminated by dirt, dust, or any other item that can affect the health of your vehicle. This is why a lot of people are now opting to use garage flooring, which keeps water and dirt away from their cars in case they
10. Changing the garage door weatherstrips
The most common cause of leaking garage doors is the weatherstrip around the bottom edge of the door. When the weatherstrip wears down, it allows moisture to enter the space between the door and the concrete slab. Water damage can start small and gradually worsen over time. As the water seeps in, it eats away at the wood, causing mold growth. Eventually, the wood becomes wet, and rot sets in.
It is important that the door seals well against the cement floor to keep the door closed tightly. The weatherstrip on the door should be checked if there are no indications of water leakage through holes in the ceiling or windows. First and foremost, this is the most affordable solution.
11. Install a French drain
In this case, we want the French drain to drain water away from the garage. French drains are used for directing water away from buildings. Driveways and landscaping can benefit from French drains, but they are expensive. To install a French drain, you have to dig a trench up to the ground, where you will install a U-shaped channel made of steel or PVC. In cases where slopes are problematic, it’s a good solution. However, it’s labor-intensive and expensive. Maintenance is also needed.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. My driveway is next to a piece of soil. What is it?
If the soil directly in front of your driveway is higher than yours, rainwater will run onto the driveway instead of draining away from your garage if the soil is higher than the driveway.
2. How do garage door seals work?
Generally, garage doors are covered with flexible seals that run along one or both sides of the door and are attached to the bottom.
3. What Are The Best Way To Prevent Leaking Water?
Even though replacing the door seal offers several advantages, heavy runoff can still seep through the edges of the door, even after the seal has been changed.
4. How do I warm up my garage in the winter?
When the panels are broken, cold air comes right into your garage, which leads to your garage getting so cold during the winter. In addition, you may notice an unprotected sliver near the ground if your garage door hangs crooked.
5. During the winter, what should my garage’s temperature be?
Condensation does not form in garages that are kept above average dew points. As a rule of thumb, this temperature is usually around 40°F for states that are inland and around 65°F for those that are coastal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, garage floors must be sealed properly to prevent water from entering the garage. I can assure you that if you apply one of the methods will surely keep your garage dry even with heavy rain. If you don’t know how to do this, you should hire someone who knows how to do this job.
