Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

Prevent Water Damage in the Garage

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

Storage spaces of any kind are especially vulnerable for water damage. Small leaks can grow unnoticed behind or beneath gathered items, damaging the floor, walls, even the items themselves. By the time they become apparent, extensive damage may already have been done. Next to the basement, the garage is the single largest storage facility found in most homes. It’s also the most vulnerable, and it becomes important to defend this space against water intrusion. Unfortunately, the garage is often overlooked when it comes to water damage prevention in the home.

What Makes a Garage Vulernable to Water Damage

The garage is vulnerable primarily because it has the single largest entry point of any area of your home, due in large part to the requirement that it accommodate an automobile (or two, or three). The door may be left open, not properly sealed, or damaged without repair, any one of which may allow access by the elements. Garage doors are notoriously difficult to seal, and in most cases of a hard rain or flooding, it is not at all uncommon to walk into your garage and see standing water extending several feet into the space. Replacing the weather stripping along the bottom of the door can help minimize this problem, but don't be surprised if it has to be done on a fairly regular basis. If you want to determine if the garage is properly sealed, turn on the garage light and stand outside. If the light is visible through the bottom or sides of the door, you have a seal problem.

It is also important to examine the roofing and gutters around your garage. Make sure that the gutter system is clear and free of obstructions and that downspouts properly channel water down and away from your garage. The idea is to keep excess water away from the base of your garage where it may puddle up and flow in the wrong direction.

Roof leakage may also result in water damage from above, soaking down through the attic and ceiling of the garage and creating unsightly stains and damage to drywall, sheetrock, and any electrical systems servicing the garage.

Preventing Water Damage

If you do utilize your garage for storage purposes, it is recommended to anticipate the worst and prepare for water penetration into the space. Use crates or shelving systems to elevate stored items so that they are not just sitting flat on the floor. Be sure the most valuable items are stored at the highest possible point, just for good measure.

You may also want to consider sealing your garage floor, which will not only make the flooring more attractive, but also protect the surface in the event that water does get into the area.

Your home is the most important purchase you will ever make. Taking steps to protect it from water damage is important; just make sure to protect all of it, and this includes the garage.

Recommended Reading:
Preventing Water Damage Outdoors
Preventing Water Damage in Pole Barns

Learn More about Preventing Garage Water Damage in this Video: