Many people use the garage as a workshop or to store valuable items, so it can be worrisome when rainwater flows inside beneath the garage door.  Fortunately, homeowners can take steps to prevent this from happening. Below are some tips to help you keep your garage from flooding.

3 Ways to Stop Rainwater From Flowing Under the Garage Door

1. Prioritize Drainage

A concrete driveway collects a lot of rain and prevents moisture from soaking into the ground. Therefore, the driveway needs to be installed with drainage solutions to counteract the excess water. It should slope away from the home instead of toward it. 

If it slopes toward the house, you'll need to have a drainage channel installed. This is a trench cut through the concrete and covered with a grate. The grate lets you walk and drive safely over it, but the trench collects water before it reaches the garage. 

Likewise, the soil grade of the ground on either side of the driveway should slope away instead of toward it. This requires a bit of landscaping work, but it helps keep the garage dry.

2. Have a Weather Seal Installed

A garage weather seal is a flexible piece of rubber that runs lengthwise along the bottom of the door. When the door is closed, it presses against the driveway's surface to keep water out. This accessory can last for eight to 10 years before it starts to turn brittle and crack, leaving the garage vulnerable to wet conditions again.

If the door doesn't have a seal, have an overhead door company install one for you. If your current one isn't working, check it for brittleness and cracking and have it replaced if necessary. The door may also be out of alignment or not sitting correctly, and repairs might help keep the interior dry.

3. Check Your Rain Gutters

If water spills off the roof and onto the driveway, you can reduce flooding problems by installing a rain gutter along that eaves. The trough captures water, which flows through a downspout along the side of the garage. If necessary, you can even add a longer gutter piece at the bottom to channel water as far away from the driveway as you like.  

For help keeping water from flowing under the garage door, contact CGX Overhead Door LLC in Ballwin, MO. The staff of this locally owned, award-winning company provides solutions for every type of overhead door issue throughout Wildwood, St. Charles, St. Peters, and the Greater St. Louis area. They specialize in garage door installations and repairs, including garage opener and spring maintenance. Visit their website to learn more about how they can help you, or call (314) 550-9212 for a consultation.