Flooded Garage: Cleanup & Prevention
A wet garage can quickly become a wet house. Here's how to clean it up and keep water from finding its way inside.
Safety: don't step into water near outlets, extension cords, chargers or a water heater. Shut off power to the garage at the breaker if you can reach it safely. Move cars out if the water is shallow.
Where garage water comes from
| Source | Clues |
|---|---|
| Storm runoff | Water comes in under the door after heavy rain; driveway slopes toward the garage |
| Water heater | Water around the base of the tank; see water heater leaks |
| Burst pipe | Spraying or running water in a wall or ceiling; often after a freeze |
| Washer or utility sink | Water near the laundry hookups |
| Groundwater | Seeps through cracks in the slab after long rainy periods |
Protect the house first
Many garages share a wall with a finished room, mudroom or kitchen. Water can wick under the door threshold and into drywall, baseboards and flooring inside. Check the shared wall and the floor just inside the house door.
Cleanup steps
- Stop the sourceShut off water for plumbing leaks; for storm water, wait until it stops coming in.
- Remove waterPush water out with a squeegee, or use a wet vac or pump.
- Move and sort belongingsCardboard boxes and anything porous should come off the floor right away.
- Dry the wallsGarage drywall that soaked up water usually needs the bottom cut out.
- Call a proIf water reached the house, the drywall, or the water heater, or if it's sewage or flood water.
Keep it from happening again
- Replace a worn garage door bottom seal or add a threshold seal
- Extend downspouts away from the driveway
- Add a trench drain if the driveway slopes toward the garage
- Put a drain pan and leak sensor under the water heater
- Store belongings on shelves, not the floor
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance cover a flooded garage?
Water from a burst pipe or water heater is often covered. Storm runoff and outside flood water usually require flood insurance.
Water in your home? Get a local pro on the way.
Call and we'll connect you with an independent local water damage restoration company that serves your area. The referral is free, and many local companies answer around the clock.