Take These 3 Steps to Stop Water from Getting into Your Garage

Last updated on October 26, 2023

These are the main three steps to take to prevent water from getting into your garage. Read on!

Owning a garage is a huge asset both for the value of your house and for your ability to store items and have a bit of extra space for recreation, but it is not without its pitfalls.

A common problem with having a garage is that water can get inside and damage your stored items or cause mold. The good news is that there are several things that you can do to prevent water from getting into your garage.

From installing proper drainage to maintaining your pipes and fixing your sill plates, let’s take a look at these great preventative tips. 

Install Proper Drainage

drainage by wall

First, when it rains, you need to ensure that you have proper drainage in place so that water does not pool and seep into your garage under the door or from the roof.

So, make sure your gutters are up to scratch and have a channel drain installed in your driveway. Following these simple steps will prevent flooding of water on the roof or in the drive, both of which could result in a leaky garage.

Remember to call a well-reputed and experienced drainage solutions company to install your drain. This is a job you want to be handled by experts. Spend the money now to avoid paying for repairs later.

Maintain Your Pipes

plumbing maintenance

Of course, having excellent drainage in place is only worthwhile if you have well-maintained pipes. Poorly maintained, old or damaged plumbing is one of the more common reasons why you might find water in your garage.

There is nothing more shocking than a burst pipe, nor is there anything more upsetting than damaged possessions due to mold or flooding in the garage. And with such a simple fix, it is mad not to keep on top of plumbing maintenance.

It is always best to call an expert plumber to do a maintenance check on your pipes unless you are very confident and experienced in plumbing yourself.

If you mess around with plumbing and then have a leak, you might find your insurance will not cover the damages.

Fix Sill Plates

garage door

Lastly, you will need to pay attention to the structure of your garage. The sill plates are the horizontal parts of a wall at the bottom that connects to the floor. This is an area of your garage wall that can become worn and begin to allow water seepage.

So, to keep your garage dry and secure, you should ensure your sill plates are well-maintained and replaced if need be. You can also apply caulk or foam around sill plates to stop leaking.

This has been a quick guide to keeping water out of your garage. We have suggested first that you install proper drainage outside of your garage to stop water pooling and getting inside. We have talked about keeping your plumbing well-maintained to avoid leaks and drips.

It is important to keep on top of your sill plates. Aging sill plates will inevitably let in water, so remember to check and maintain your structures regularly.

With these tips in mind, you can ensure that you keep your possessions dry and secure. A dry garage is a happy garage!

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