A wet garage can lead to more severe problems in the long run. Seek professional water damage restoration services before it’s too late.
No matter how durable your concrete garage floor is, it doesn’t help with moisture problems. In fact, the porous nature of concrete makes the situation even more complex as it quickly absorbs moisture. If, for any reason, your garage gets flooded, then you need to take immediate action.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the different sources of garage water intrusion. If your garage is wet for any of these reasons, call for water damage repair as soon as possible.
Water on the Garage Floor
If you notice that your garage floor feels damp or moist at times, there might be two possibilities:
- Temperature Fluctuations: This is usually the problem when you only notice accumulation of moisture during certain seasons. Concrete slabs in garages are usually cold by nature. When the air starts to get warm during spring and summer, the temperature interacts with the slabs’ coldness. Because the ground still tends to be cold at this time, the mixture of the two temperatures produces a vapor on the slabs. The moisture should be even more noticeable when the air is humid during the summer and spring.
- Absence of Vapor Barrier: If a vapor barrier wasn’t installed underneath the garage floor, moisture under the ground can rise up to the floor. Any gaps or cracks allow water from the ground to seep in and produce puddles, which can lead to mold or mildew growth. Without a vapor barrier, you’ll notice that sealers or paint won’t stick well to the floor.
In addition to these two reasons, water often enters in a garage through cars that may have collected moisture from rain or precipitation. Some homeowners keep a freezer or refrigerator in their garage. These may also contribute to water damage in the garage.
Moisture Entering Through the Door
Your garage door is the first defense against moisture intrusion in your garage, especially if your area is prone to rain or snowfall. Water can enter through the slightest dents or cracks present in the garage door. To prevent this, install weatherstripping at the top and along the bottom of the door. All you need is a caulk and a garage door stop with a built-in sealing lip.
If you have a wooden door, keep an eye on the bottom trim of the door. Since wood can easily change size and warp upon exposure to temperature changes, the wooden door can become rotten and cracks may form on it. In this case, you’ll not only need to replace the bottom seal but also apply a wood sealer before that. Don’t forget to remove any debris or dirt from the bottom of the garage door before installing the seal.
While these were the most common sources of water intrusion in a garage, various other sources such as internal pipe leaks, spillages, etc., can result in a wet garage. If not timely addressed, the problem may lead to more complications such as mold growth, which is harmful to your health.
