When talking about floodproofing, most people concentrate on the house itself. But what about your garage? Think about it: you probably store some valuable stuff there: tools, off-season clothes, Christmas decorations, and, of course, your vehicle. What a shame it will be if all those things get lost in a flood! So, let`s speak about why and how to protect garage from flooding and do it with minimum effort and maximum efficiency.
Why is it important to protect garage from flooding?
Floodproofing a garage is crucial for several reasons. Here are some of the most important:
- Protection of Property: Garages often house valuable items like cars, tools, and equipment. Floodproofing helps safeguard these possessions from water damage, which can be costly to repair or replace.
- Prevention of Structural Damage: Flooding can compromise the structure of a building. By floodproofing the garage, you're reinforcing its resilience against water intrusion, which helps maintain the integrity of the building.
- Reduced Insurance Costs: Insurance companies may offer reduced premiums for properties that have floodproofed garages or measures in place to mitigate flood damage. This can save you money in the long run.
- Preservation of Living Space: In some homes, the garage might be converted into additional living space or serve as an entry point to the house. Floodproofing ensures this area remains habitable and safe, preventing disruptions to daily life in case of flooding.
- Compliance with Regulations: Depending on your location, local building codes or regulations may require floodproofing measures, especially in areas prone to flooding. Adhering to these guidelines is essential for legal compliance and safety.
- Mitigation of Health Risks: Floodwaters can carry contaminants and pose health risks. Floodproofing helps minimize exposure to these hazards, maintaining a healthier environment within the property.
- Resale Value: A floodproofed garage can enhance the overall value of your property. Prospective buyers often appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing the property is protected against potential flood damage.
In other words, water damage can have some instant and long-term consequences for your property. Some of the things you store there may get damaged beyond repair; others may get broken or even become dangerous to use. Flooding can ruin or seriously devalue your vehicle and even your whole house. In fact, floods are incredibly unpredictable, not only due to their "behaviour" but also the outcomes that can show up several months or even years after you go through them.
How does floodwater get into your garage?
Before talking about how to protect garage from flooding, we need to understand how exactly floodwater can get inside and cause all that damage. In other words, we should know what exactly we need to protect.
Here are the main access points that you need to focus on:
- Through Doors: Garage doors are one of the primary entry points for floodwater. If they are not properly sealed or fortified against water intrusion, water can seep under or through gaps, especially during heavy rainfall or rising floodwaters.
- Floor Drains or Vents: Sometimes, garages have floor drains or vents that are not adequately sealed or protected. During flooding, water can enter through these openings, especially if they are at or below ground level.
- Poorly Sealed Windows: Windows in a garage that are not properly sealed or are at a lower level can allow water to enter during flooding events.
- Foundation or Wall Gaps: Cracks or gaps in the foundation or walls of the garage can serve as entry points for floodwater, especially if the water pressure outside the garage increases during a flood.
- Sloping or Grading Issues: If the land around the garage slopes towards it or if the grading is poor, rainwater or floodwater can accumulate and find its way inside.
- Backflow or Sewer System Overload: In cases where there's a sewer system backup or if there's backflow from storm drains, floodwater can enter the garage through plumbing fixtures or drains.
- Localized Flooding: In some instances, localized flooding from nearby rivers, streams, or excessive rainfall can inundate an area, causing floodwater to enter a garage from various openings.
Preventing floodwater from entering a garage often involves a combination of measures such as installing flood barriers, using sealing materials, elevating vulnerable electrical systems, and ensuring proper drainage systems are in place to redirect water away from the garage. Regular maintenance and inspections to identify and address potential entry points are crucial in mitigating flood risks.
How to protect garage from flooding.
Now we are getting to the main topic. Knowing why you need to floodproof your garage and which areas are the most vulnerable, you can now work out the plan that will help you keep floodwater away from your garage.
- Installing Flood Barriers: Various types of flood barriers, such as floodgates, flood panels, or inflatable barriers, can be installed around vulnerable entry points like doors and windows. These barriers create a protective shield against incoming water during flood events.
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- Sealing Materials: Sealants and waterproofing materials are applied to vulnerable areas, such as door thresholds, window frames, and foundation cracks, to prevent water seepage. Using weatherstripping or door sweeps on garage doors helps create a tighter seal.
- Elevating Electrical Systems: Electrical outlets, wiring, and circuitry should be elevated above potential flood levels. This prevents damage to the electrical systems, reducing the risk of electrical hazards and the need for costly repairs or replacements.
- Proper Drainage Systems: Ensuring that the garage has adequate drainage systems, such as sloping the surrounding landscape away from the structure or installing trench drains or French drains, helps divert water away from the garage during heavy rains or flooding.
- Elevation or Raised Platforms: Raising the garage floor or using raised platforms can be an effective way to elevate items stored in the garage, keeping them above potential flood levels.
- Sump Pumps: Installing sump pumps within the garage helps remove excess water that might accumulate during flooding, preventing water buildup inside the space.
- Regular Maintenance and Inspections: Conducting routine checks for cracks, gaps, or vulnerabilities in the garage's structure and flood mitigation systems is crucial. Repairing any issues promptly can prevent water infiltration during a flood event.
Depending on the size and other specifics of your property, you may want to combine some of these measures. Some may, of course, be irrelevant in your case. However, flood barriers are probably the essential thing because they are the most versatile devices that will protect your garage from flooding even if your drainage system fails and floodwater reaches several feet high.
Meet Mark. He emailed us because he was worried that floods could damage his collection of pretty expensive tools and, most importantly, vehicles that are more than near and dear to him. Our team arrived at his Florida house and helped to evaluate the flood damage and determine how many flood barriers and extension poles he may need to create a robust dike that would keep floodwater away from his garage.
From now on, Mark can protect garage from flooding in a matter of several minutes without the need to buy any additional supplies or hire handymen or contractors every time the danger of flooding becomes real. His flood barriers are reusable, easy to install and remove, and hardly take up any storage space. By the way, he keeps them right here, in his garage.
Yes, it is that easy to protect garage from flooding. It is Dam Easy!
Contact us today and we will help you make informed decisions about floodproofing your property and save a great deal of time, money, and energy, whether you need to protect garage from flooding, or floodproof any other area in your house.
