How To Clean A Flooded Garage
Posted on July 16th, 2022
Just the thought of cleaning the inside and outside of your garage building after a flood can be overwhelming. The water damage, the mud, and the sheer amount of time it could take to clean – it’s intimidating to say the very least.
Whether you’ve experienced minor flood damage or a major catastrophe, it’s important to get started on your cleanup as soon as possible. Here are a few tips that can help you throughout the flooding cleanup process:
Turn Off Electricity To The Garage
Before you start any cleaning, be sure to turn off the electricity to your garage until it has been properly inspected and repaired by a professional electrician. It is important to make sure any switches, outlets, wiring, or junction boxes are completely dried out and free of any mud and debris before being used.
Remove Standing Water
A wet-dry vacuum is a great way to remove any water that remains in your garage. If you don’t own one, you can rent one at your local tool or home improvement store.
Remove Furniture & Other Stored Items
Move everything out of your garage including any furniture, shelving, storage containers, tables, etc., and set them outside to dry. Items containing porous material such as stuffing, fabric, or leather should be thrown away since they have absorbed contaminated water.
Clear Out The Mud
More often than not, a flooded garage is going to leave behind an excess of mud and debris. You can use a shovel to remove the majority of the sludge then hose down any remaining mud off of the surfaces in your garage.
Clean, Dry & Disinfect
Flood waters and flood water damage can contain nasty germs and bacteria. You will want to thoroughly clean and disinfect all the surfaces in your garage. Start by washing surfaces with hot water and soap, then follow up with a disinfectant solution of ¼ cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.
You can dip smaller items into the solution to properly disinfect them. Thoroughly cleaning the walls, floors, and objects that were affected by the flood, will ultimately prevent or halt mold growth as well.
Prevent Future Flooding Incidents
While you can’t prepare for every disaster that your home will face, you can do your best to limit the amount of damage it can cause. Follow these tips to help protect your car garage, as well as your personal property stored within it, from future flooding.
- Determine Sources Of Potential Water Problems
- Inspect Foundation
- Weather-Strip Your Garage Door
- Waterproof The Walls
- Clean Your Gutters
Check drainage pipes and make sure water can be diverted from the garage. Inspect for busted pipes and have them repaired or replaced immediately. Do you live in a lowland area? Consider installing a garage barrier.
If there is serious flooding in your area, installing flood drains can redirect water away from your home or garage. Prevention is better than repair so identifying the target areas can help save you a lot of time, money, and clean up.
Have your home’s foundation checked for cracks or other damage that could cause sewer water pipes or sewage lines to burst. A strong foundation should be maintained so your home and garage are ready for future floods and protected from structural damage.
Weather-stripping the bottom of your garage door is a great way to prevent water damage. If you already have weather-stripping installed, be sure to check it regularly for wear and tear.
You can apply a waterproof veneer to your garage walls to prevent water from seeping in. This helps to keep your garage wall system intact.
Your gutters are designed to lead water through a downpipe and out to a drainage system away from your home. Clogged gutters can prevent the water from diverting away from your home and garage, leading to additional flooding.
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