Living in Southern California, many of us consider ourselves spoiled. After all, we get beautiful weather for most of the year, and never have to deal with snow, hail or sleet. The downside of all these back-to-back dry, beautiful days, is that when the rainy season does finally come – so do the floods. That’s because many areas in Southern California have inadequate drainage, combined with the effects of ultra-compacted soil, which when it rains, can lead to serious flooding.

 

And when flooding does occur, it can be severely damaging to our property, especially our homes’ first line of defense – our garage. Being perfectly ground level, and with no major insulation or dedicated outer barriers to speak of, our garages are quite vulnerable to the elements – especially flooding. So let’s take a look at how you can prepare for flood season and the heavy rains that are on their way.

 

Inspect and/or Replace Your Garage Door

The first thing you’ll want to do is take a good close look at your garage door. Do you see any cracks or holes? Are there large gaps under or at the sides of the door? Does the  weather stripping need to be replaced? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you might need to look into repairing or replacing your garage door. Do this sooner rather than later, because you don’t want to get stuck when your garage floods during heavy rain.

 

Check Your Drainage

Many streets in areas with low yearly rainfall tend to be underprepared for heavy rain. This can lead to flooding, and drainwater headed for your garage. You’ll want to be sure that your own personal drainage system on your property is in functioning condition. If you’re unsure, hire a professional to come out and test your drainage before the rains come.

 

Take Another Look at Your Landscaping Plan

Did you know that there are several types of plants that can help absorb heavy rains when they come? You can combine these with a heavy mulch that won’t be brushed away during heavy rainflow. Also consider that gravel is more absorbent than concrete, so if you can make any of these changes, do so.

 

Use Sandbags as a Temporary Solution

Preparing for heavy rain means you have to get ahead of the weather. If you do not currently have the funds to invest in a more long-term solution, sandbags offer some protection from the rain. We can’t say you should rely on sandbags for year-round protection from the elements, but in a pinch, they could stop some of the rain from getting into your garage.

 

Invest in Professional Garage Waterproofing

When it comes to protecting your garage from the rainy season, no solution is more complete than a full-scale waterproofing done by professionals. Permanently waterproofing your garage gives you the peace of mind you need, year after year. And if you work with WICR, Southern California’s waterproofing experts, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll get the unparalleled service and quality craftsmanship they’ve built their reputation on. With over 40 years of experience, WICR will inspect, assess and give your home the perfect waterproofing solution to the distinct needs of your garage.

 

We hope this list has been helpful to you. Remember, it might be as sunny and clear as ever right now. But those rain clouds are on their way – if you want to get ahead of them, start preparing now.