Why is there water in my garage?
Water in the garage can be due to many different reasons, but the consequences of it are always the same; damaged possessions, rusted tools and vehicles, damp, and mold. Below we will outline the main causes of water entering the garage and explain the best solution for solving each of them.
DRIVEWAY SLOPING WRONG WAY
This is a very common problem which can result in rainwater being diverted to the garage and creating a flooding problem inside. The steeper the driveway the worse this problem becomes. How you resolve this problem will probably be determined by your budget. If you can afford it, having the driving way dug up and repoured so that it slopes away from the garage door will be the most effective solution. The installation of additional drains along the driveway will also help alleviate the problem. As these are both quite expensive, a cheaper option which is also highly effective, is to install a flood diverter/barrier. GARADRY has 2 of these, 1 ½” high and 2” high. These can direct way away from the garage and help to reduce the problem.
1 ½" High Garage Door Flood Barrier Threshold Kit
'Garadam' 2" High Garage Door Flood Barrier Threshold Kit
DRIVING RAIN
Probably the main cause of water in the garage, especially if it is west facing. Strong winds can drive rainwater under the garage door up to 5 feet and are not stopped by the gasket weather seals you find on the bottom of most garage doors. That is due to them being compression seals and the water can therefore just seep underneath. The only solution to this problem is to install a garage door threshold seal. These are glued to the concrete and therefore the water cannot seep underneath due to the adhesive which also acts as a sealant. GARADRY has the largest range of garage door threshold seals, so we are confident that there is a solution for your garage door.
Residential Door Threshold Seals
CLOGGED DRAINS
The gutters and drains around the home and garage can become blocked with leaves, twigs, and other debris, especially around the fall. This can result in rainwater not being drained away but overflowing onto driveways and even into the garage or house. It is therefore good practice to check your drains and gutters a couple of times a year and remove all blockages. Another option would be to install gutter filters. These allow water into the gutter but prevent leaves and debris from entering. This will help ensure rainwater is removed and will reduce the amount of maintenance you have to complete.
SNOW MELT
Whilst for most this is a seasonal problem, for some people in Canada and northern US, this issue can last a lot longer. Snow melt can be dealt with in several different ways. For those with a larger budget, you can have drains installed inside the garage, with the floor sloped towards them to help channel the snow melt away. For those will a smaller budget, the installation of heaters can help evaporate the snowmelt which can then escape through vents. This is cheaper to install but has electricity costs associated which may add up over time. The final solution is also the cheapest and least technical – the good old squeegee. Before setting off for home, brush off as much snow from the car as possible to help minimise the amount you will bring into the garage. Once home, brush off any snow on the wheel wells and then squeegee it out of the garage before it can become a problem.
LEAKING FROM PIPES IN DRY WALL
This is an uncommon problem which only affects garages which are attached to the home; pipework hidden in the walls can burst and leak through the dry wall, causing the garage to become wet. Unfortunately, there is no quick and simple solution to this. You will need to remove the old drywall and fix the broken pipe. It is recommended at this point to tanking slurry the area. This will help waterproof the wall for the future. Finally install new drywall and use a dehumidifier to remove any moisture left in the air which may contribute to damp. See the link below for tanking slurry explanation and method.
HOW DO I WATERPROOF MY GARAGE WALLS?
LEAKING THROUGH CLADDING
On older garages it is not uncommon for the cladding or siding to develop leaks which allows water to run into the garage. A full replacement of the cladding on that side is recommended to ensure there are no future leaks, but spot repairs for the short term can also work.
EXPANSION GAPS
Large concrete slabs can expand and contract as the temperature changes and this can result in the slab breaking apart. To avoid this, large garages have two smaller concrete slabs with an expansion gap in between them. This unfortunately creates an entry point for water. This gap can be filled in with concrete expansion gap filler. There are quite a few companies making this product now, and it can be picked up from most good hardware stores.