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webuser_768402840

Flooded garage, please help

3 years ago

Hi everyone,


Been a long while, hope all is well

I’m due to move in (finally) next week

Sorry, been a hectic few months

Sadly, had a pretty rough day today. Was using a kracher to power wash the driveway before I move into the house.
It’s a 1970s built and was recently refurbished
There seems to be a lot of dirt and moss that the power wash managed to loosen

Just below the garage door, there seems t

o be a drain? Not sure what it is and it never troubled me in the past. Due to the amount of water from the power wash, a lot of it collected on the left side and then entered the garage through a gap in the concrete.
Please see pics enclosed within

Now I know this is unsual, as I had power washed the driveway and the volume of water and loose mud was immense
Will go back and seal that gap with some mortar
Anything to do about this drain? on the left there seems to be a drain hole? I put my hand in it and it measured roughly around 45 cms but there was no exit drainage hole or vent
Just some hard surface and mud
Wonder what what was
My fear is, if there is a torrential downpour this will flood again?
Hopefully the mortar and the rubber flap of the garage door might keep it at bay
Thankfully we don’t come in a flood risk area
Please do advise
KR

Mel

Featured Answer
  • 3 years ago

    It’s unlikely you will ever have to worry about flooding….. most likely the drive is built on sand and water will naturally drain away. The drain is probably a soak away drain- meaning water just percolates into rocks, sand and the ground.

    It probably looks like the drive was dirtier than expected as the pressure washer will have washed away some of the sand between the block pavers. Next weekend if it is dry you should open 3 or 4 bags of fine sand and sweep them into all the cracks.

    You can also think about sealer for the drive- it will help keep it looking good for longer. If you do decide to do this it will be easier before you put down the sand.

    Comments (14)

    • 3 years ago


      The gap through which there was water ingress. On the right is this ? drain hole. I took the cover out, it didnt seem to lead to anything

    • 3 years ago


      The gap in the wall, will seal it with some mortar tomorrow

    • 3 years ago


      The rubber seal or flap of the garage door, it did keep the water out

    • 3 years ago


      what sort of drain is this?

    • 3 years ago

      Thanks a ton, Jonathan

      I will sleep well tonight

      What sealer would you advise? I had a similar issue with the patio, the area between the slabs was full of weeds and dirt. After a powerwash the gaps opened up

      Will try and seal them on a dry day and noted Sikka grout filler

      Although it looks like I will need a large volume so was looking for alternatives?

      Please do advise

      KR

      Mel

    • 3 years ago

      The drive will need fine sand.

      The patio joints - I think it’s easier to use a dry mix rather than a ready mixed mortar. So brush a dry mix of sand and cement between the slabs. There are lots of videos online to show how

      HU-768402840 thanked Jonathan
    • 3 years ago

      I’m no expert, but the square bit at the end of the drain looks like it’s been filled with concrete. Does it look like hard concrete? As Jonathan said, the long drain is quite normal to help prevent a garage being flooded and it usually leads to a soakaway. I don’t have one on my garage and very rarely a little water enters the garage but it soon dries up. You can lift all the grates and remove any debris that is lying in the channel to clear it. Probably best not to power hose into the drain as it’s only made for water not debris. Can’t wait to see your finished refurb!

      HU-768402840 thanked Sonia
    • 3 years ago

      Thanks Jonathan

      I shall buy that sand shortly and brush it in. This may sound a silly query but what exactly does the sand do? From reviews, it’s recommended after a power wash, so does it act like a sponge?

      Wrt the patio grout repointing, I guess I will use Sikka grout filler. It’s expensive, around 25 quid a box and probably will

      need 3/4 boxes but I will have to do it .

      Anything you have advised has been 99% accurate


      Please see the link below


      Thanks


      Mel


      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ojLICuDGlcU


    • 3 years ago

      Update

      Went to wickes, bought the sand and brished it in. Not a terribly neat job but looks ok?

      Checked that drain and it still has some water in it. Poked it with a iron rod but nothing, will the sand drain into it and block it? Or would the sand absorb water and help drainage?

      Now off to point the patio blocks

      KR


      Mel

      Pre sanding

    • 3 years ago

      Post sanding



    • 3 years ago

      Drain


    • 3 years ago

      Thankfully it rained( lightly)

      the driveaway looks soo much better

      Thanks Jonathan, once again


      Couldn’t start the patio mortar work, due to rains. Have to drive back now so will use the gorrila tape and try and mend some areas in the garage, that allowed the ingress of waters

      I googled and found out that the rubber thing on the garage door is called a weather strip. Was wondering, if it’s a good idea to butteress it with gorrila tape?

      Will leave that for next week

      KR


      Mel

      post rains!!

    • 3 years ago

      Found sikla resin filler the best

      Not very cheap though and as per my calculation would need around 3-4 boxes

      The cheapest one is the flint coloured one

      Query, does the colour make a difference?

      will also attack a pic of what I inherited in March, awful

      kR


      Mel



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