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leahmac_gw

Detached Garage Flooding

20 years ago

We have some major problems with our single car garage. First I must say we rebuilt it this summer, so tearing it down is not an option. Second there is no slab floor or foundation. This was all fine until we received record amounts of rain and it now has 4 inches of water in it. It is stick framed with hardi board siding on pressure treated 4 x 8 and has a gravel floor. We have considered trenching it and tying into our downspout drains and then pouring a slab. Any suggestions or concerns?

Comments (4)

  • 20 years ago

    OPEN THE DOORS and let the water out! You could also hand dig a temporary trench to channel it away for the short term (but that may create additional downstream problems).

    Next, you should study the drainage patterns to find ways to interrupt the flow of water across the surface that can pool in the garage. And you should install guttering and downspouts on the garage to direct that water off the roof to the best possible place. You can dig french drains to manage its dispersion and to control subsurface water around the structure. A slab may not help you if you don't control surface water and run-off with grading and guttering.

    Meanwhile put everything up on blocks, and let it air out. Sorry for the big mess!

    Molly~

  • 20 years ago

    Thanks Molly!
    Our drive way and the first two feet of the garage is paved however and then there is a slight drop onto the gravel floor. The yard around it is also flooded at this moment so we know that isn't helping. We have moved everything out of it, but it just keeps on raining. If it stops for 2 days then it does soak in. I think we should add the drain system, but leave it as gravel, but my husband really wants a slab in there so it is still usable to park the car.

  • 20 years ago

    I'm with your husband. A gravel floor, unless it is raised above grade, probably never will be that dry. Plus, it makes all sorts of car maintenance/repair work a real hassle, as it will never be as clean as a concrete slab. A slab can also be underlain with a moisture barrier, so the interior of the garage will have less moisture/humidity, which will keep the contents including the car in better condition.

  • 20 years ago

    You may want to put a drain in the lowest point in your garage to drain the water outside of your garage. Just keep the drain unplugged. As for your yard, put in drains in the lowest points, and have them drain to a nearby stream or ditch.