Next to the basement, the garage is the single largest storage
facility found in most homes. It’s also the most vulnerable, and it
becomes important to defend this space against water intrusion.
Unfortunately, the garage is often overlooked when it comes to water
damage prevention in the home.
The garage is vulnerable primarily
because it has the single largest entry point of any area of your home,
due in large part to the requirement that it accommodate an automobile
(or two, or three). The door may be left open, not properly sealed, or
damaged without repair, any one of which may allow access by the
elements. Garage doors are notoriously difficult to seal, and in most
cases of a hard rain or flooding, it is not at all uncommon to walk into
your garage and see standing water extending several feet into the
space. Replacing the weather stripping along the bottom of the door can
help minimize this problem, but don’t be surprised if it has to be done
on a fairly regular basis. If you want to determine if the garage is
properly sealed, turn on the garage light and stand outside. If the
light is visible through the bottom or sides of the door, you have a
seal problem.
It is also important to examine the roofing and
gutters around your garage. Make sure that the gutter system is clear
and free of obstructions and that downspouts properly channel water down
and away from your garage. The idea is to keep excess water away from
the base of your garage where it may puddle up and flow in the wrong
direction.
Roof leakage may also result in water damage from
above, soaking down through the attic and ceiling of the garage and
creating unsightly stains and damage to drywall, sheetrock, and any
electrical systems servicing the garage.
If
you do utilize your garage for storage purposes, it is recommended to
anticipate the worst and prepare for water penetration into the space.
Use crates or shelving systems to elevate stored items so that they are
not just sitting flat on the floor. Be sure the most valuable items are
stored at the highest possible point, just for good measure.
You
may also want to consider sealing your garage floor, which will not only
make the flooring more attractive, but also protect the surface in the
event that water does get into the area.
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