How to Prevent Your Garage From Flooding or Ponding

During storms and heavy rainfall, warnings are often issued to warn of potential flooding that can affect not only streets, buildings, and homes, but also parking garages. The presence of standing flood water in a parking garage can pose a significant inconvenience and potentially lead to serious and costly structural issues.

When standing flood water is left in a parking garage:

• Water infiltrates the porous concrete surface and causes quick deterioration
• Erosion can lead to potholes, ruts, and sinkholes
• Cracks on the surface of the concrete can expand and widen if exposed to freeze/thaw cycles

Preventing flooding in parking garages can be challenging due to two factors: backflow caused by rising water through the drains, and excess water from the streets. In this article, we will explore some of the most effective methods for preventing flooding in parking garages.

Ways to Flood Proof Your Parking Garage

An effective strategy for preventing flooding involves using durable floodproofing products that can be quickly and easily deployed, as well as proactively repairing and improving the building or structure. Here are some of the most effective ways to safeguard your parking garage from flooding and ponding:

• Clean the roof gutters - Maintaining clean roof gutters is crucial to prevent water backup and overflow, which can occur when leaves and debris accumulate. Parking garage gutters play an important role in diverting water into designated drainage pathways and downspouts.?When runoff water flows into unintended areas and seeps into the surrounding foundation, it can erode the substructure and result in foundational damage. Additionally, in the case of a flat parking garage roof, clogged gutters can cause water pooling, which could potentially lead to leaks or collapse.

• Maintain garage door seals - Over time, weather seals on garage doors tend to deteriorate, particularly at the bottom and around the door. It is important to replace any damaged weather seals to maintain a rainwater-tight door. While replacing broken weather seals is relatively inexpensive, neglecting to do so can lead to costly flood-related damages.

• Use a water diverter or garage apron drain - A water diverter or garage apron drain protects the garage from flooding by diverting water away from the garage and onto the ground.?

• Have the foundation wall waterproofed - As structures settle over time, cracks may appear on the walls, which can allow water to seep through and accumulate during severe storms or heavy rainfall, leading to pooling or flooding. Moreover, if left unattended, water entering through the walls can result in mold and mildew growth. It is advisable to consult with a foundation contractor or a flood prevention expert regarding waterproofing the foundation wall to prevent water infiltration.

• Hire professional landscaping - Landscaping serves not only aesthetic purposes but also practical ones. Expert landscapers are skilled in keeping floodwaters at bay. They achieve this by implementing various techniques, such as sloping the ground away from the parking garage foundation, installing hard surfaces like patio stones to prevent water from penetrating the soil and causing foundation damage, planting specific trees and bushes that can tolerate heavy rainstorms, and creating a rain garden to collect and absorb water. These are just a few of the methods that professional landscapers use to floodproof a property.

• Install flood vents and floor drains - Flood vents and floor drains are commonly incorporated into parking garage construction to prevent flooding. Additional flood vents and floor drains may be installed as required. Nevertheless, it is essential to bear in mind that when drains become inundated, water can still flow back out. This brings us to our next recommendation.

• Install strong floodproofing products - When a flood warning is issued, deploying floodproofing products is a swift and straightforward approach to keep floodwaters at bay. Two specific flood protection products that can be particularly useful for parking garages are outlined below.

Prevent Backflow With Floor Drain Protection

Flooding can manifest in various forms, with one of the most frequent being water back up from the floor and flood drains. Although rising water and rain driven by strong winds are undoubtedly problematic, how can you prevent backflow from causing flooding?

Backflow drain covers and flood boxes are effective solutions that prevent water from flowing back into your parking garage or ground floor, thereby averting backflow flooding. Safeguard your building and mitigate the risk of backflow flooding by utilizing FRA Floor Drain Protection.

The FRA Floor Drain Protection is a scientifically designed product that can endure harsh saltwater environments, utilizing the same cutting-edge technology used in aerospace and vessels by the United States Navy and Air Force. This product is compatible with drains of any shape and size, including circular, rectangular, and irregularly shaped drains.

FRA Floor Drain Protection uses a simple process for quick deployment:

• FRA Floor Drain Protection is lined up with the pre-existing holes to the anchors
• Easy-Turn knob, gasket, and dock washer are inserted into the opening on the ground
• Easy-Turn Knob creates a tool-less system to tighten FRA Floor Drain protection in place
• Gasketing system seals against uneven surfaces

The FRA Flood Drain Protection is custom-designed to cater to the specific requirements of clients. Its cutting-edge technology is engineered to be impact-resistant, allowing vehicles to drive over the protected area without causing any damage, while still delivering reliable flood protection against storm surges, king tides, and heavy rainfall.

Prevent Flooding in the Garage With Flood Panels

In addition to backflow prevention measures, parking garages require a floodproofing solution to keep floodwaters from the streets and heavy rainfall out. Customized flood panels offer a watertight barrier around any opening, preventing water from seeping in.

FRA's Custom Flood Panels are hassle-free to set up and dismantle, requiring no tools. They are crafted from marine-grade material with a durable gel coat that resists corrosion and can endure harsh weather conditions. The panels feature CCN seal technology with a secure sealant to provide an airtight barrier. Flood panels can be used for various openings, such as:

• Exterior & interior doors
• Windows
• Mechanical rooms
• Control rooms
• Elevators
• Driveways
• Storefronts
• Loading docks
• Walkways
• Essential equipment
• New or existing structures

Typically used as a door barrier during hurricanes, FRA flood panels are an ideal defence against flooding and water damage. FRA’s Flood Panels come with a Lifetime Warranty.

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