SERVPRO of East Nashville, Madison, Goodlettsville : Water is coming in my Garage - what now?

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Modern homes now feature garages that can command more than a quarter of the square footage of a property’s actual square footage. This can be both a blessing and a curse for homeowners. From a storage situation, you have more space for your vehicles, tools, etc. On the other hand, if you have a flood, it could mean that a substantial part of your home will have water damage. This is why it’s imperative that if you see water coming into your garage that you act quickly to prevent water damage from taking hold of your property.

Use Sandbags Strategically

First things first if you see water in your garage: try to redirect it away from your property and toward the street. This option will work if you find that the source of the water is coming from outside of your garage (i.e. if your driveway is flooded). Although this option will not completely seal off your garage, it will reduce flooding during massive downpours.  By stacking sandbags in a pyramid-shaped wall near the flood zone area you can at least keep water from causing more damage to your property.

Get to the Source of your Garage’s Water Problem

The most common place you’ll find leaks in your garage door is from the bottom, where the door meets the concrete floor. Garage condensation problems can occur in homes located in both hot and cold environments. Low winter temperatures, followed by the rising humidity that occurs in spring and early summer, make your garage and home vulnerable to excess moisture.

Another very common source of condensation is rainwater and melting snow from cars parked in garages. Running appliances in a cold garage without proper ventilation will also create excess moisture in the air. Excess condensation can also be caused by improper roof drainage that causes leaks in your garage.

Removing the Excess Water

To ensure that your garage doesn’t begin growing mold, you need remove all of the water, even if it’s only an inch. The entire area garage would need to be dried out and disinfected. Your walls, wood, and any non-upholstered furniture that sat in the flood water would also need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected if those items can be salvaged.

When to Call the Pros

If you find that you don’t have the time or resources to handle water damage restoration on your property, it’s time to turn to the professionals before your garage turns into a breeding ground for mold growth. Even if you just have a small amount of water in your garage, it’s best to call SERVPRO East Nashville at (615) 868-5324 to make sure that the job is done right from start to finish.