Central Pennsylvania is no stranger to rainy conditions, as the wet season has the potential to last from April all the way through November.
Adams and Cumberland counties do suffer from occasional flooding, as well, and weak points in your home can cause problems if you ever find yourself in such circumstances. Your garage door can be a said weak point if it’s not properly maintained and prepared.
Here are some tips on how to prevent water from entering the garage after heavy rain and flooding.
1. Inspect the Garage Door Closely
Take a few minutes to scan over the exterior and interior of your garage door cracks, holes, dents, warping and other defects that might prove problematic — especially toward the bottom of the door where water is more likely to collect. Check the bottom for gaps between the door and the ground, and you should also inspect the stripping to see if it’s suffering from wear and tear.
2. Replace Weather Stripping
Weatherstripping keeps all kinds of weather conditions out of your garage, from blustery snow to raging downpours. The stripping creates that tight seal between your door’s bottom and the ground that can even resist minor flooding, but repeated use and friction will degrade it after a few years.
If you notice cracks, rips or failing adhesive, check your door’s model or call a local expert to get viable replacement parts.
3. Test the Garage Door
If you’re expecting a severe rainstorm, you can perform a quick check to ensure the door is opening and closing correctly. While door openers and the associated components usually run smoothly, they can stick and jam after repeated uses.
Objects can also get into the way of sensors, which can throw the door off, too. Organize your garage, so all items are a reasonable distance away from the door, then clean up the sensors and lubricate the moving parts — as well as the track. You might also need to adjust the tracks or rebalance the door.
Trained technicians can diagnose issues that might evade you or lay outside of your area of expertise.
4. Install a Trench Drain
If your home has an orientation that makes it more susceptible to increased water flow, your door can become quickly overwhelmed in more severe situations.
You can counteract unfavorable angles by cutting a trench drain in front of the door to divert rain and floodwater. Cut a channel from one side of the driveway to the other, lay a U-shaped pipe made of steel or PVC and then lay a steel grate overtop of it.
If you already have a trench drain, be sure to clean it of debris and other grime regularly.
Contact Jarusewski’s to Prepare Your Door for All Scenarios
If you’re concerned about your garage flooding in heavy rain, Jarusewski’s maintains a team of confident, experienced employees who will help to secure your garage door in the face of threatening weather.
For 30 years, we have helped households throughout central Pennsylvania, including Carlisle, Aspers, Mt. Holly, Mechanicsburg, and Boiling Springs. Contact us today to discuss the services we offer!