Six Ways to Keep Your Garage from Flooding

According to the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program), flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States. Flood damage claims average an astounding $3.5 billion per year. Flood insurance isn’t a requisite, and in fact in some states and regions you can’t even purchase flood insurance for your home or possessions.

When flood strikes, basements and garages are often the most vulnerable areas – and the hardest to protect. When these disasters strike, it can be difficult not to worry about what will happen if all of your valuable tools and equipment, not to mention vehicles, become exposed to several inches of water. There are a few steps you can take, however, to make your garage less vulnerable to flood damage.

1. Replace Garage Door Weatherstripping

While it seems nearly impossible to protect your garage via such a large access point, as long as you keep the door closed when not in use then the weatherstripping will be able to offer some protection from flooding. Over time the seal becomes compromised because the stripping becomes worn, pulls away in spots, and can become brittle and crack.

Installing new weatherstripping will ensure that you’ve got the tightest seal possible across the bottom of the door. Ideally, when the door is closed, you should not be able to see a light on inside the garage. If you can see light coming through under the door, it’s time to replace the seal.

2. Inspect the Roof and Gutters

The drainage system is just as vital to preventing flood damage in your garage as the door seal is. In fact, it may be even more important because even if rain levels don’t reach flood status, a leaky roof can allow water inside the structure, causing potential damage to your belongings. Blocked or broken gutter systems can cause water to become redirected into areas that will force the water into the garage.

One good option if your gutters and spouts do not provide adequate drainage is to have a French drain installed (also sometimes called a trench drain). This type of drain is installed in the ground along the building, and prevents pooling of water, instead rerouting the runoff to a safe location.

3. Inspect Your Foundation

Not only are cracks in the foundation bad for your home, they’re also bad for your garage. Even minor damage to the foundation can allow enough water into the gaps to cause further widening, which can then allow the water to flow through to your garage. Minor damage can be repaired with vinyl concrete patching or waterproof paint. Major damage has to be repaired by a profession who can fix or replace your foundation.

4. Consider Your Landscaping

Believe it or not, the plants in your yard and the slope of your lawn can have a major impact on whether your garage floods or not. If there seem to be any obvious layout problems or areas of the yard that are redirecting rain water toward the building, talk to a landscaper about installing elements like vegetative barriers and retaining walls so that the water can be rerouted toward the street rather than your home.

5. Consider Flood Vents

It may seem counterintuitive to have vents put into your garage door, but it can actually stop the door from being crushed by a flood and caving in, causing further damage to your structures and property. It’s an unpleasant thought but allowing the garage to experience some level of flooding through the use of vents can actually stop your home and foundation from absorbing as much of the damage. And as a bonus, if you hire a professional to put in FEMA‑approved vents, you may qualify for reduced rates on your flood insurance.

6. Lay Sandbags and Barriers

If the unthinkable should happen and flooding begins to occur, you can take action against potential disaster by lining your property with flood barriers and/or sandbags. Do not surround your home with the bags – this actually causes rain water to become trapped, causing further flood damage. While sandbags are not a complete preventative against the thread of flooding, they can reduce the impact significantly.

These tips will go a long way toward helping you protect your garage and home by minimizing the impacts of flooding, however they cannot completely prevent damage to your property. Call a professional contractor to find out additional ways to flood‑proof your property and to fit your garage with a better, weather‑resistant door.