Coastal locations and river floodplains are most prone to flooding. Also, areas with heavy and prolonged rains and big cities are not even free from flooding due to a lack of drainage. The fact is, nature is unpredictable and can hit anywhere and any minute.
The garage is one of the most flooded parts of a house. Bad weather is not the only culprit since broken pipes can also cause it. When this occurs, parked cars can be submerged, damaging electrical and mechanical systems, lubricants, etc. Fortunately, you can do something to secure your vehicle from floodwater as follows:
1. Park Your Car on Elevated Grounds
Always consider parking your vehicle in an elevated spot if you have access to it, even if it’s not the rainy season. If you have a sedan or hatchback, this is more helpful because they are comparatively lower. As you know, floodwater will start gathering in low-lying areas before rising, which can damage your car’s electrical and mechanical parts if left soaked in water.
2. Detach the Batteries
If you suspect that a storm or heavy rainfall is coming and you are near a river or dam, it’s always best to unplug your car batteries before it hits. In this manner, you can help secure all your vehicle’s electrical systems if it gets submerged.
3. Seal Your Vehicle
Before a storm hits, tightly seal your car’s doors, windows, and sunroofs. If there are holes from previous damage, it is necessary to have these fixed beforehand. Additionally, check if your windows don’t have even the slightest gap because this can let water get into the cabin.
4. Ramp Up Your Car
During the rainy season, it’s beneficial to pay attention to the weather report to determine the possibility of storms. A wise quote says, “It’s better to prepare and avoid than repair and repent.” Ramp up your car until the engine does not get immersed if you have no access to higher ground. If water gets into your car’s engine, a hydro lock can occur that makes your vehicle worthless in an instant.
5. Bag Your Car
One way to protect your car from garage flooding is using big waterproof guards that are now available in the market. While these products don’t guarantee durability from sharp parts of debris, they can at least protect your vehicle from something beyond your control.
6. Make Fixes or Repair Work on Your Garage to Prevent Flooding
Securing your car from garage flooding is pointless if you do not fix the primary problem. You can use sandbags or other flood barricades when there’s a storm heading your way. It redirects water away from your garage towards storm drains or other different courses.
If your foundation has cracks that allow water to leak into your garage, make sure to deal with them right away. You can use weatherstripping if there are holes in between your garage flooring and garage door. Place it under the garage door to tightly seal it against the flooring. In case of extreme flooding, you might need the assistance of experts, such as PuroClean. You can visit this website to know more about the services you might need.
Conclusion
If you live near a river or dam or your community is prone to heavy rainfall and flooding, make it a habit to monitor weather condition updates to make sure you can prepare ahead of time. While you can not prevent a natural catastrophe, you can do some actions to protect your family, home, car, and other belongings.
On top of that, keep emergency numbers at hand. In addition to your local fire department, police, 911, Red Cross, and other public agencies and NGOs, you must also have a list of reliable water damage remediation companies near you. When choosing a restoration company, make sure to visit their website and click their “about us” page to know what they do.
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