The Sunshine State has a lot to offer homeowners. It has over 1,000 miles of coastline, more than 650 miles of beaches, no state income tax, excellent weather, and a truly diverse population to recommend it. However, with nearly 60 inches of rainfall annually, 11,000+ waterways, streams, and rivers, and a predominantly flat terrain, it’s also the state most likely to flood. This means that homeowners need to be prepared to take action and seek solutions if the problem persists.
If your garage is prone to flooding or you’re dealing with constant water issues, read on to solve your issue with a flooded garage and minimize the risk of it recurring frequently.
1. Determine the Source of the Water
The first and most important step is locating the source of the leak responsible for the excess water in your garage. A few common sources include:
- Cracks in Your Garage’s Concrete Slabs
When it rains, the soil beneath your home absorbs water like a sponge. That moisture can then seep upward through cracks in the concrete slab that forms your garage’s foundation. While newer homes often have a vapor barrier to block this, many garages don’t. To avoid costly damage, it’s important to address any cracks in your concrete slab as soon as you spot them.
- Bad Garage Placement
If your garage is located at the bottom of a slope, it’s the natural endpoint for water flowing through your property. Chat to a professional to fix this problem, as it may require significant changes to your property’s landscaping or something simpler, like adding drains.
- Garage Roof Leak
If your garage roof has recently been damaged, or your house is older, you may have holes or gaps letting in water. If this is the case, urgently contact your local roofing repair company.
This is not a job you should do on your own. Besides being dangerous, you may end up with the kind of water damage only professionals can repair as a result of an improper fix.
- Blocked Gutter Downspouts
If water builds up in your gutters’ downspouts because they’re not moving it away from your home, it could lead to a foundation leak, letting water into your garage. You can prevent this from happening by ensuring that downspouts are pointed away from your house and channeled along a suitable drainage slope.
- High Groundwater
Flooding in your garage can also be caused by saturated soil and water seeping in from the ground. You can help prevent this by ensuring proper drainage around your property. Consider installing a French drain to redirect water away from your foundation or applying a waterproof coating to the exterior walls of your foundation for added protection.
- Humidity
Florida is surrounded by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of México, so it’s no surprise that it’s the most humid state in the USA. Although condensation occurs all year round, it’s most common during the rainy seasons due to the high humidity levels at this time of year.
When warm outdoor air meets the cooler surface of your garage floor, it can cause condensation, making the floor “sweat.” Poor ventilation can make this issue even worse. If you’re dealing with this problem, consider using a quality dehumidifier to help control moisture and improve air circulation in your garage.
- Leaking Doors
Check the seal on your garage door. Water may be coming in through its joints or where the door connects with the sideframe. If your garage door leaks constantly, consider adding more weather stripping or investing in an entirely new one.
2. Waterproof Your Garage
Once you’ve identified why your garage is constantly flooding or wet, it’s important to do what you can to fix the issue. Taking the structure of your garage and the source of the leak into account, you may need to:
- Apply weatherstripping to all the openings to your garage, including the doors and windows.
- Create a grouted seal at the base of the door. This will work like a dam, preventing water from entering the space.
- Invest in fans to increase air circulation.
- Make sure that all insulation is working as it should.
- Put a rubber seal along the bottom edge of your garage door.
- Start using a dehumidifier.
If you can’t immediately address the cause of your garage’s leak, remove as much water as you can safely and then contact a professional flooding restoration company. They’ll help you avoid having to deal with this problem again.
3. Dry Your Garage Out
If your garage has been flooded, try to air it out as much as possible. This helps dry out the space and any items stored inside before serious damage occurs. Be sure to mop up any standing water thoroughly to prevent mold and mildew from developing.
4. Prevent Future Floods
Thankfully, there are several proactive steps you can take to prevent your garage from flooding again:
- Install Ditching and Drainage
Your property should have ditching installed at least five feet from foundations, and preferably 10 feet away if you’re in a High Water Table area. Installing French drains anywhere from eight inches to two feet deep is also recommended.
- Invest in a New Garage Door
Update your garage door if necessary. The newer yours is, the better its insulation will be and the more effective its weatherstripping.
- Protect Your Flooring
Consider covering your garage floor with high-quality concrete, epoxy, paint, tiles, or vinyl. This will prevent water damage and seepage.
- Direct Water Away From the Garage
Focus on ensuring that water is directed away from the foundation of your house and garage. Direct gutter downspouts in the opposite direction and create barriers that redirect natural water flow away from your property.
- Urgently Repair Cracks
If your garage is flooding because groundwater is seeping in from underneath the concrete flooring, get those cracks repaired as soon as you can. If you decide to DIY, clean them thoroughly and then fill in each one using a concrete patch compound.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
The best way to avoid costly repairs is to prevent water from getting into your garage in the first place. Be proactive by regularly inspecting the space and staying on top of maintenance throughout the year. Don’t wait until you’re dealing with a flooding emergency.