If rain in the forecast causes you to worry about your garage flooding, take a look at our tips below on how to keep your garage dry. Not only will following these tips help your important belongs stay safe and dry, they can help prevent moisture from getting into your cars, which can cause problems down the line.
Make sure your garage door fits properly. This is extremely important. Take a minute to look at your garage door. Notice a gap between the ground and the door? Or, any open space along the sides of the garage door? If so, it may be time for a replacement garage door or help from a garage door technician.
Weatherproof the garage door. This is an easy way to keep water out of your garage. Simply install weather-stripping, available at your local hardware store, around the bottom and sides of the garage door. Note: weather-stripping needs to be replaced regularly, so if you’ve added it in the past, make sure it’s still secure and isn’t showing any signs of wear.
Look for cracks. Do a scan of your garage and home (especially if your garage is connected) and look for signs of cracks in the foundation or walls. You’ll want to seal these cracks with waterproof paint or a concrete patch. Since cracks in the foundation can indicate a serious issue, you may want to get your home inspected as well.
Add drainage. Flooding around the house and garage often occurs when rainwater overloads your home’s gutters and downspouts. That’s why it’s important to, first, check the gutters on your home and on the garage (if your garage has them), and make sure they are clear of debris. You could also install drains in front of your garage to carry away excess water.
Use flood vents. Flood vents aren’t a bad idea for homes in Long Island, given their proximity to the ocean. Flood vents can help protect your garage in the event of a powerful storm. Essentially, they route water so that your home and garage can stay safe and dry.
Need more advice on how to keep your garage dry? Give the team at All Island a call. We’re here to help our neighbors across Long Island with all your garage door needs.