Flooded garages might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about water damage, but they can be just as costly and disruptive as other types of flooding. Whether it’s caused by severe weather, plumbing issues, or inadequate drainage, water in your garage can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs and damaged belongings.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), even just one inch of floodwater can result in up to $25,000 in damages. That’s why prevention is key. This guide explores the common causes of garage flooding, practical prevention tips, and what steps to take if your garage floods.
Common Causes of Garage Flooding
Understanding why a garage floods can help you take proactive steps to prevent it. Here are some of the main culprits:
- Severe Weather: Snowmelt during the late winter, heavy rainfall during spring and summer thunderstorms, and tropical storms and hurricanes can cause garage flooding quickly. When the ground surrounding your home can’t divert water fast enough, the water can enter the home through the garage and the foundation.
- Burst Pipes: Many plumbing systems run through the garage of a home. During cold weather, pipes can freeze and burst spilling gallons of water into the garage. Old pipes can also fail and lead to garage flooding.
- Sewage Flooding: Sewage leaks are difficult to deal with and can happen for many reasons. Most often, sewage flooding is caused during severe rainstorms. When too much rainwater permeates sewers, it can cause water to seep from underneath the garage.
If you experienced a garage flood that caused damages, it may make sense to have an emergency restoration services team help you with water mitigation and water damage restoration.
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Tips to Prevent Garage Flooding
Garages are often a catch-all to store household goods, gardening supplies, tools, holiday decor, and other miscellaneous items. When water enters the garage, these belongings can quickly be damaged. Garage flooding may not be completely avoidable during a severe weather event or water emergency, however, there are steps you can take to help reduce your risk and prevent severe damage.
- Seal Leaks and Cracks: Garages, like basements, don’t get the same attention as other areas of a home. Take time to inspect your garage and look for leaks and cracks. Over time, concrete will start to crack, especially at the seams. These cracks can be entry points for water during a flood. If you find a crack or a leak, clean the area properly and use a concrete filler to fill in the gap.
- Weather Strip Garage Door: Garage door weather strips not only help keep water out of your garage, but they also increase the overall insulation of a home and keep pests from sneaking under the garage door. Weatherstripping kits are available at most hardware stores, or you can have a garage door company install them for you.
- Install Flood Barrier: During torrential rain or other severe weather events, it may be hard for weather stripping to keep all floodwater from entering your garage. In these cases of severe weather, having a flood barrier on hand can make all the difference. You can place sandbags outside of your garage or pick up a water-activated flood barrier that will absorb, control, and divert floodwater. Most big-box hardware stores carry flood barriers and sandbags.
- Clean Gutters: One of the easiest ways to prevent home flooding is to keep your gutters clean and free of debris. Gutters are designed to move water away from a house and when they begin to overflow and do not work properly, rainwater can seep into your garage or other parts of the home. It’s best practice to clean your gutters several times a year, more often if you have lots of foliage near your house.
- Improve Drainage: In addition to cleaning gutters, another easy way to prevent water from flooding your garage is to improve the drainage around your home. When it rains, take notice where the water pools quickly and doesn’t drain in a timely manner. You can grade that area away from the house, either on your own or by working with a landscaper.
- Store Items Off of the Floor: While this tip won’t prevent flooding, it will prevent damage to your belongings in case your garage does actually flood. Instead of placing items on the garage floor, strategically place them above the potential flooding line. There are a wide variety of garage storage solutions for all of your garage items including overhead shelving, stacked shelving, and wall accessories for items like yard tools, bikes, and toys.
What to Do If Your Garage Floods
Even with careful planning, flooding may still happen. Here’s a quick guide on how to respond:
- Turn Off Power: Water and electricity don’t mix. Turn off the power supply to your garage before stepping into the flooded area to avoid electrical hazards.
- Document the Damage: Use your phone to take photos or videos of all the damages for your insurance claim. Don’t start any cleanup until you’ve documented everything.
- Start the Drying Process: Open the garage door and use fans or dehumidifiers to improve air circulation. For smaller amounts of water, a shop vacuum can help remove standing water.
- Call a Professional: For significant flooding, don’t hesitate to contact experts in water damage restoration. Professionals have the equipment and expertise to restore your garage and prevent further issues like mold growth.
Flood Remediation Experts in Harrisburg, Pa., Philadelphia, Pa., and Baltimore, Md.
Reynolds Restoration Services is the premier commercial and residential flood damage restoration company in the mid-Atlantic region. With offices in Harrisburg, PA., Philadelphia, PA., and Baltimore, MD., our team of water mitigation and water damage emergency response professionals can be on-site quickly to help you with emergency services.
We know how stressful water damage can be, even when it happens in a garage. We have trusted relationships with most insurance companies and know-how to restore properties to their pre-loss condition quickly. While we hope you’re never in a position to need our emergency restoration services, know that we are here to help 24/7. Let us take care of your flooded garage so you have peace of mind the project is done professionally to prevent further damage down the road.
President of Reynolds Restoration Services. Over 20 years of experience in the emergency restoration industry.