A garage door that does not seal properly can cause a host of issues. Just like you would not want moisture to leak into your home, you should also want a dry garage. You might not sleep in your garage, but it’s more than likely housing several valuable possessions safe from the elements.
With Perth’s winter coming soon and bringing with it turbulent weather conditions such as strong gusts of wind and sheets of rain, you want to ensure your garage is as tightly sealed as your home, in order to fight the elements. You don’t want to be googling “water damage restoration”, “water damage in house”, “how do you fix a water damaged garage”, or “house water damage”. Why? Because prevention is better than cure, and it’s better to keep the water out of your garage to start with.
That’s why we break down in this article the possible causes and solutions for rainwater running under your garage door.
Why Should I Care About Keeping Moisture from Leaking Under My Garage Door?
Your garage is an extension of your home, and you should therefore treat it as such. However, it’s the sad truth that many garages do not keep the elements out properly. But the good news is that we have a handful of tips and ideas on how to seal your garage door from the rain. So, no need to Google “how can you stop water getting through a garage wall and floor in one corner”, or anything similar, because this article will answer your questions.
It’s never nice to enter your garage and find the unpleasant surprise that rainwater has pooled on the floor. Not only can this lead to cracks in your garage structure and water damage to your possessions stored in the garage, but it can also cause health issues. For example, constant dampness can lead to the formation of mould. This, in turn, could lead to diseases and just a foul smell filling your garage. Not to mention that someone could get injured if they slip on a wet garage floor!
First Things First: Are You Sure The Moisture is Rain?
If there is constant moisture in your garage, it could be due to condensation. This ‘sweat’ occurs when warm air is in contact with cold temperatures. And because garage floors and walls are often made from concrete, this is a frequent occurrence.
Sometimes referred to as ‘sweating slab syndrome’, you can usually diagnose it by looking at the floor. Does it look darker due to moisture absorbed in the concrete? Another tell-tale that your garage floor is sweating is that it leaves white minerals behind. Alternatively, you can tape a piece of plastic to the area and compare the covered concrete to the rest after a day or two. This is why getting an insulated garage door installed can be valuable in a harsher climate.
What Should I Do If My Floor is ‘Sweating’?
If your floor is sweating, you should consider decreasing the humidity with a dehumidifier or switch up the garage floor with something other than concrete. Good options to look at include garage floor tiles or vinyl mats as they will adapt to the rest of the garage’s temperature.
If all else fails, you have to consider that your garage door not sealing could be the culprit for rainwater running under it, in which case you should fix your garage door with a professional.
A Quick Hack: How Can I Tell That My Garage Door Is Not Sealed Properly?
A surefire way to know that your garage door does not seal is to check if any daylight is seeping through at the bottom and around your garage door. Several things can damage a garage door’s seals, including general wear and tear over time or changes to the driveway’s construction itself. You should have your garage door seal restored or replaced somewhat frequently by a professional.
Troubleshooting: Possible Causes and Solutions for Rainwater Running under Your Garage Door
- Roof Problems
When your roof has no gutters around your garage area, it could be the cause of rainwater accumulating and going under your garage door. This can cause significant damage to your garage door track.
- Solution: Install Gutters
This might be a bit more of a pricey solution, but you will be thankful that you decided to install gutters around your garage. It will, therefore, transfer instead of collecting the rainwater.
- Your Driveway Pitch
If your driveway is downhill instead of up, the decline can cause rainwater to pool around your garage building.
- Solution: Trench Drains
Although you have to clear these trench drains from time to time, they can be a real lifesaver in waterproofing your garage door. You install these drains right in front of your garage doors, allowing rainwater to drain instead of collect.
- The Garage is Drafty, or Door is Leaking
If you notice that your garage door is leaking water or it’s drafty even when the garage door is closed, you might need new weatherstrips. These strips are usually made from vinyl or rubber and fill the gaps between your garage roller door panels, acting as a garage door water barrier.
- Solution: Replace Worn-Out Weatherstrips
The weatherstrips or weather seals act as a garage door wind and water barrier. Self-adhesive strips, you can easily stick them on yourself to either the bottom or the top of each garage door panel. If you don’t want to do it yourself, see a professional for a garage door restore.
- Rainwater is Pooling on the Floor
A faulty or missing threshold seal could be to blame, causing the water to come through from under the garage door.
- Solution: Install or Replace Garage Door Threshold Seals
Consider replacing or installing garage threshold seals to seal your garage door further. This acts as a garage door bottom seal and is made of hard rubber or aluminium, and you can stick it straight onto the floor where it meets your garage floor. It acts as a kind of ‘speedbump’ to prevent water from entering under your door. It will also help with regulating the indoor temperature to avoid condensation. This door sealing solution is not too expensive and is quick and easy to install.
Where to get your garage door serviced, repaired and installed
Gryphon Garage Doors is one of the best garage door companies for sectional and roller door repair in Perth, and have been helping Australians protect their homes and commercial spaces in stylish ways for over 25 years. Why is this important? Well it means we’ve come across countless different jobs, and have had to overcome each one. So no matter your situation, you gotta get a Gryphon. We have:
- Finger proof safety
- Quietest motors on the market
- Trained professionals
- Customised products
- Warranty up to 7 years!
- After sales service
Your garage broke down and you need it to open ASAP? Not a problem, give us a call and we will try our best to get to you today and open your space. We look forward to hearing from you.
