Garage Waterproofing: Types, Anatomy, Methods, Membranes, Steps and Protections

Written By Adam Paul - Waterproofing Expert

Garage waterproofing is applying waterproofing materials to seal the garage floor, walls, and roofs to prevent water leaking and damage to the garage and its components.

You should waterproof concrete, stone, tile, and basement garage floors to prevent water leaks inside the garage. You can use waterproof garage wall panels to prevent water leaking inside the garage.

You should waterproof garage door types such as wood, metal, aluminum, and roller garage doors to prevent water from leaking inside the garage. When the water comes under the garage door, you can prevent it by installing garage door barriers, weatherstripping, adjusting the door height, and using sandbags.

You can use elastomeric roof coating, acrylic coating, silicone coating, PU, liquid rubber, and metal roof sealant to waterproof a metal roof. When you waterproof a concrete garage roof, you can use liquid rubber coating, polyurethane, or sheet membrane waterproofing materials like PVC or EPDM.

Epoxy sealant is the best solution for garage floor waterproofing because epoxy sealants are water resistant, abrasive resistant, chemical resistant, UV resistant, and have higher durability. More than that you can use waterproof paints, silicone sealants, concrete sealants, PU, weather striping, a french drain system, and dehumidifiers to waterproof the garage.

When you waterproof a garage, you should follow these steps. First, you should prepare the surface, etch the concrete layer, apply primer on the garage floor, apply the waterproofing layer on the garage floor, apply the second coat and protect the garage waterproofing layer properly.

You can protect the garage waterproofing layer by following these methods such as installing garage door threshold sealing, doing regular maintenance, sealing the cracks, managing the drainage, and park the vehicle properly without any damage to the walls or floors.

A waterproofing layer on the garage can be damaged due to poor installation and maintenance, using harsh chemicals, improper storage, DIY repairs and poor ventilation. Due to these damages, the garage surface can be slippery, increase pest infestation, paint peeling on the walls, mold and mildew grow in the garage, deteriorating the garage walls and floor and forming cracks in the garage foundation.

What is Garage Waterproofing?

Garage waterproofing is applying waterproofing methods to seal the garage floor, walls, and roofs to prevent water leaking and damage to the garage and its components. The advantages of garage waterproofing are preventing the growth of mold and mildew, increasing skid resistance, preventing chemical damage to the floor, safeguarding the foundation, helping to prevent the belongings from getting wet and rusting, and increasing property value.

What Garage Floors You Should Waterproof?

You should waterproof these 4 garage floors

1. Concrete garage floor
2. Stone garage floor
3. Tiled garage floor
4. Basement garage floor

1. Concrete garage floors

You should waterproof concrete garage floors to prevent water from leaking through the concrete layer. Concrete is a porous material. Seepage can occur through the tiny spaces in the concrete layer when it is saturated with water over time. Hence you should seal the concrete floors to prevent the waterleaking.

2. Stone garage floors

You should waterproof the stone garage floors to prevent water from leaking because they have tiny gaps and holes between the stones. Stones are porous materials. Small gaps, cracks, and holes allow water and moisture to seep in when saturated with water.

3. Tiles garage floors

You should waterproof the tile garage floors to prevent waterproofing through the edges of the tiles, grout lines and cracks in the tiles. Tiles and grouts are not porous materials, but when they are saturated with water, leaks can happen through the grout lines, edges and cracks of the tile floor.

4. Basement garage floors

You should waterproof the basement garage floors to prevent waterproofing through the cracks and cove joints. The basement can be porous depending on the material it is made out of. When the basement is saturated with water, it can seep through the cracks and the cove joints.

Is Epoxy Good for Garage Floor?

Yes, Epoxy is extremely good for garage floor waterproofing. Epoxy is a water-resistant material that helps to prevent water from leaking into the garage. Epoxy is an abrasive-resistant material; hence, it helps increase friction between the tyres and foot, preventing slippering on the garage floor.

Epoxy does not react with chemicals; therefore, it does not react with oil and grease, preventing vehicles from slippering. Epoxy is seamless, making the garage floor easy to clean and slip resistant. UV resistance of epoxy prevents color fading and yellowing and protects the bonding between epoxy paint layers in the garage floor. The durability of epoxy paint can resist damage from heavy vehicles and prevent the continuous repairs and maintenance of the garage floor.

Is Waterproof Garage Wall Panels Worth It?

Waterproof garage wall panels are needed to prevent water from leaking into the garage. Waterproof garage wall panels help the entrance moisture through spills and leaks, provide chemical resistance to protect the walls and maintain their appearance, are easy to clean, mold and mildew prevention, are durable and withstand bumps and scrapes.

What are the 5 Different Waterproof Garage Wall Panels?

These are the 5 different waterproof garage wall panels.

1. PVC Wall panels
2. Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)
3. Metal wall panel
4. Wood composite panels
5. Epoxy wall coatings

What Garage Door Types You Should Waterproof?

These 4 garage door types you should waterproof

1. Wood garage door
2. Metal garage door
3. Aluminum garage door
4. Roller garage door

1. Wood garage door waterproofing

You should waterproof wood garage doors to prevent 7 sever water problems such as swelling, rotting, warping, decaying, pest infestation and paint peeling.

You can use wood sealants, varnish, waterproofing membrane, caulking, weatherstripping and door sweep to waterproof the wood garage doors.

Wood sealants help to repel water and protect the wood from moisture damage, prevent natural beauty, are easy to maintain, provide a finished look, and enhance durability of the garage doors

2. Metal garage door waterproofing

You should waterproof metal garage doors to prevent reusting, corrosion, paint peeling, stains, detoriarations, and weakened structural integrity .

You can follow some steps to maintain the metal doors because they typically come pre-painted with a weather-resistant finish and don’t have many direct waterproofing methods.

You can inspect and clean, touch-up paints, lubrications, weatherstripping, door sweep and caulking.

3. Aluminium garage door waterproofing

Aluminum garage doors are generally weather-resistant; therefore, no direct waterproofing methods are available.

But you can clean and inspect regularly, including caulking, lubrications, touch-up paints, weatherstripping, and door sweep.

4. Garage roller door waterproofing

Garage roller doors are generally pre-finished and weather-resistant. Hence, you can clean and inspect the doors using lubrications, touch-up paints, and weatherstripping to improve the waterproofing ability of glass roller doors.

How to Prevent Water Coming Under Garage Door?

Thses 4 methods help to prevent water coming under garage door during the rain season as well as flooding.

1. Install a garage door water barrier: The garage door water barrier helps to prevent rainwater from comming under the door. The garage door water barrier is a rubber stripe that can seal the garage floor and door bottom level.
2. Install a Door weatherstripping: Door weatherstripping can prevent the entrance of wind-driven rainwater, splashing water from puddles and snowmelt by creating a tight seal and blocking water entering points. Weatherstripping is made out of rubber, felt or vinyl. These materials compress against the garage door and create a tight seal under the bottom level of the door.
3. Adjust the garage door: Adjusting the garage door will prevent water from leaks, cracks, and gaps due to worn-out door materials, rusting and deterioration. It will avoid entering rainwater and wind-driven rainwater.
4. Use Sandbags: Sandbags can absorb and stop the water while reducing the flow rate and preventing water from entering the garage. Sandbags are a temporary solution that can be used to avoid the entry of floods and rainwater.

What Can You Use to Waterproof Garage Roof?

You should waterproof the roof on both metal and concrete garage roofs using the below materials.

Materials for metal garage roof waterproofing

You can use elastomeric roof coating, acrylic coating, silicone coating, PU, liquid rubber, and metal roof sealant to waterproof a metal roof.

Waterproofing a metal roof helps to extend the roof's life span, reduce heat transfer, minimize heat loss, reduce noise and prevent leaks and water damage.

Materials for concrete garage roof waterproofing

You can use liquid rubber coating, polyurethane, or sheet membrane waterproofing materials like PVC or EPDM.

Waterproofing a concrete garage roof helps prevent leaks from leaks and cracks, extend the roof's lifespan, reduce repair costs, and improve energy efficiency.

What Can You Use for Garage Waterproofing?

You can use these 8 waterproofing methods for garage waterproofing

1. Epoxy sealants
2. Waterproof paint
3. Silicone sealants
4. Concrete sealers
5. Polyurethane sealants
6. Weather striping
7. French drain system
8. Dehumidifires

1. Epoxy sealants: Epoxy sealants are highly effective for sealing garage floors, cracks, and joints against minor to moderate leaks. Epoxy sealants are higher strength and durability. Epoxy sealants provide a smooth, attractive finish that is resistant to chemicals such as oil and grease and stains.
2. Waterproof paint: You can use waterproof paint for garage walls, floors, and ceilings to prevent minor leaks. Waterproof paints are easy to apply on the garage surfaces, adds a protective moisture barrier. This paint is particularly useful in preventing surface water damage to garage floor and is a cost-effective way to keep moisture at bay.
3. Silicone sealants: Silicone sealants are perfect for filling cracks, joints, and gaps in the garage. It helps to protect garage against minor water leaks. These sealants are flexible, UV resists, long-lasting, and offer excellent adhesion to various surfaces.
4. Concrete sealers: Concrete sealers such as cementitious waterproofing can be used for concrete garage floor waterproofing. These sealers are designed for use on garage floors and walls, offering protection against minor to moderate leaks. They penetrate deeply into the concrete, enhancing its durability and resistance to stains and chemicals.
5. Polyurethane sealants: Polyurethane sealants are ideal for sealing cracks, joints, and gaps in the garage, handling moderate leaks effectively. These sealants are highly elastic and durable, providing excellent adhesion to a variety of materials. Their resistance to weathering and UV exposure makes them suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
6. Weather striping: Weather striping can be used to seal the garage doors and windows to prevent water leak inside.
7. French drainsystems: French drain systems including sump pump helps to accumulate higher rate seepage in the garage floor and pump out from the garage. French drainsystem is highly recommend for sever water leakages in the garages.
8. Dehumidifiers: Dehumidifires helps to control the condensation in the garage. Humidity will increase the rusting the metal and it will be controlled by the dehumidifires.

Is Garage Floor Paint Waterproof?

Not all garage floor paints are waterproof. But it has a specific water-resistant capability. Garage floor paints such as acrylic, concrete sealer, and latex paints can be damaged due to abrasion. Hence, these are not suitable as a waterproofing layer in the garage.

Is Garage Wall Paint Waterproof?

No regular garage wall paints are not waterproof, even though they provide water resistance and durability. Water can be penetrated due to its porous nature and limited durability. Hence, these are not suitable as a waterproofing layer in the garage.

What are the 7 Steps of Garage Waterproofing?

Follow these 7 quick steps to waterproof a garage

1. Prepare the Surface by cleaning the floor and repairing cracks and holes.
2. Etch the concrete using a concrete etching solution and then rinse the floor thoroughly and dry off.
3. Use a paint roller or brush to Apply a concrete primer compatible with your waterproofing membrane.
4. Seal the concrete using a high-quality concrete sealer, apply the first coat using a roller or a sprayer, and let it dry.
5. Apply waterproofing membrane in areas that tend to flood and have high moisture levels.
6. Apply the second coat of sealer and let it dry.
7. Let the floor dry, and after curing, inspect the floor and do final touch-ups.
8. Protect the waterproof garage floor from damages.

Detail Guide: How to Waterproof Garage?

What are the 5 Different Ways to Protect Garage Waterproofing?

You should follow the below 5 ways to protect the garage waterproofing layer.

What are the 5 Ways to Damage a Garage Waterproofing?

Garage waterproofing can be damaged due to poor installations and maintenance the drinage system, using harsh chemicals, improper storage of heavy objects, DIY repairs and poor ventilations.

1. Poor installation and Maintenance of Drainage system: The garage waterproofing layer can be damaged due to poor installation, such as improper grading, poor quality, low-quality materials, and inappropriate applications. When the waterproofing layer is improperly maintained, gutters and downspouts can be blocked, and drainage systems can be damaged. These cause damage to the waterproofing layer on the garage floor.
2. Use of harsh chemicals: Using harsh chemicals such as solvents, degreasers and cleaners can break down the waterproofing membrane and reduce its effectiveness, causing cracks, peeling and water leakage.
3. Improper storage: Improper storage of heavy objects and placing objects against walls can stress floors and walls, damaging the waterproofing membrane.
4. DIY repairs on complex issues: DIY repairs on complex issues without acknowledging it will worsen the problem. Also, improper sealants and wrong repair methods can damage the waterproofing system.
5. Poor ventilation: Poor ventilation will increase the moisture built up, causing condensation in garage walls and floors and damaging the waterproofing system.

What are the 6 Water Damages in the Garage?

These are the 6 severe water damages in the garage

1. Creation of slippery surfaces on the garage floors
2. Increase of mosquitoes and pests in the garage
3. Peeling paint on garage walls and ceiling
4. Mold and mildew growth in the garage
5. Deterioration of garage walls and floor
6. Causing cracks in the garage foundation