How to Stop Water From Getting Through Your Garage Door
For many of us, our garages house more than just our vehicles. Our garage can also be a workshop, storage unit, gym, or media room. Regardless of which role it plays, it’s important to keep the elements out and one of the most damaging elements to any part of our home is water. Water can damage our property and create conditions for mold. In this post, we’ll talk more about how to stop water from getting through your garage door. If water leaks in your garage have been a problem, this post is for you.
Your Garage Is Not Waterproof
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to return home and find puddles of water in the garage after heavy rain. Unfortunately, garages aren’t designed to be waterproof or comfortable. For builders, it’s just a space for your car— we know that garages can serve multiple purposes. As such, we should take steps to prevent water from entering and damaging our belongings, and damaging the foundation.
Water can damage:
- Personal belongings
- The garage floor
- Garage walls
How To Stop Water From Getting Through Your Garage Door
There are many solutions available to prevent water from getting into your garage. Below are a few common solutions. These options vary in cost and effectiveness, evaluate the condition of your garage before deciding on a solution.
- Replace the Door’s Bottom Seal
- Improved Landscaping
- Add a French Drain
- Inspect Your Gutters
- New Driveway or Garage Floor
Replace the Door’s Bottom Seal
The biggest cause of water leaks in garages is worn-out (or nonexistent) door seals. Weatherstrip seals along the bottom of the garage door keep out pests, insects, debris, and water. A properly installed and reliable seal should help the door close tightly against the cement when closed. The seal reduces the likelihood of needing additional improvements, make sure to check this before moving onto other solutions. It’s easy to tell if your door seal needs to be replaced. Worn-out seals look old and have cracks in them.
Improved Landscaping
Landscaping requires water. Depending on the slope of your landscaping and driveway, water can make its way flow into your garage. Water always travels to the lowest spot but it can be controlled with proper drainage. Design your landscape to slope away from your driveway and garage.
Add a French Drain
A french drain requires a narrow trench to be dug so that a steel or PVC U-shaped channel can be dropped in. This new channel allows the water to flow away from a structure, in this case, the garage. French drains can be added to the driveway and in landscaping. This might be a good solution if the driveway slopes toward the garage instead of away from it. It will be one of the most costly and labor-intensive solutions. Additionally, french drains need to be cleared of debris a few times a year.
Inspect Your Gutters
Another cause of leaks around the garage can be excess water from your gutters. If your home has gutters, it likely has them installed along the perimeter of the garage. Gutters should be properly secured, in good condition, and regularly cleared of debris. Repairing, replacing, and installing gutters can also be an expensive project but it has several benefits one of them being that they direct water away from your home and garage.
New Driveway or Garage Floor
New cement work is the most expensive option. This solution means pouring a new cement driveway and/or garage floor with a slope down and away from the garage. Because water flows downward, this slope directs water away from the interior of the garage. If this is your last option, you’ll want to make sure you check the reviews of the contractors you request bids from.
Next Steps
Begin by inspecting your garage for areas where water can enter. The best time to inspect your garage for leaks is during a rainstorm. Determine where the leak is coming from and whether it’s one leak or multiple. Once you have a clear understanding of your situation begin testing the solutions we listed above— start with the easiest and cheapest solutions first.
Call Heritage Garage Door for Repairs
Routine maintenance on your door is the best way to keep your door in the best condition. It’s also the best way to prevent wear and tear from turning into a major pain. If you hear or see any problems with your door and need help contact our team to schedule an inspection.
Heritage Garage Door operates in Southern California.
