Spring storms can cause flooding problems that haven’t been an issue before. The freeze and thaw cycle from the winter can cause cracks to form and debris can build up that clogs drainage areas around your home. When excess storm water accumulates around your home, your garage is one of the first areas that can get flooded, possibly causing thousands of dollars in damage. Here are a few tips to help protect your garage from flood damage in Springfield Missouri.
Maintain Weatherstripping Around Your Garage Door
Self-adhesive tape and rubber and vinyl weatherstripping on your garage doors not only keeps out the cold air. It also provides protection against water seeping into your garage. The seal at the bottom of your garage door is enough to protect your garage against minor flooding. But weatherstripping will wear down after years of exposure and should be replaced regularly. Check your garage door weatherstripping for cracks or other signs of damage and replace it if necessary.
Check Your Foundation For Cracks And Damage
Your home will naturally settle over time. Some of these foundation cracks might appear relatively minor, but they can provide enough space for water to seep through and make your home more vulnerable to flood damage. Inspect your foundation for cracks and seal them with waterproof paint or a vinyl concrete patch. For larger cracks, call a professional contractor to fix them properly.
Clean The Gutters
Your gutters play a very important role in protecting your garage from flood damage as they designed to direct water away from your home through the downspout and out to the exterior drainage system to keep your garage dry.
Improve The Drainage Around Your Home
When the street gutters and drains are overwhelmed with flood water, your home becomes more vulnerable to flooding. This is why having adequate drainage on your property is so important. Install French drains in your driveway in front of your garage to transport excess water away from your home’s foundation.
Install Storage Racks to Get Items Off The Floor
In spite of all these precautions, sometime flood water will still get inside your garage. To minimize the potential damage when this happens, it is a good idea to install storage racks in your garage. They keep your possessions more organized, give you more floor space for your cars, and they keep your belongings off the floor in order to prevent damage if unexpected flooding occurs.
If your garage does flood, make sure it is dried as soon as possible to minimize the damage. Make sure your water damage is remediated quickly to prevent mold growth and protect the health of your family. If you ever experience garage flooding from spring storms, call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration in Springfield Missouri to do the job right.