# Rain seeping into garage at base - need tips please
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 4, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344 "2008-01-04T23:43:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/1 "2008-01-04T23:43:32Z")
I have about 40 feet of garage wall on one side. The exterior is stucco or plaster, I guess. The house was built in the 1940s. We are having heavy rains over this weekend.
We have a narrow (2 foot?) sidewalk in the back yard running the length of the exterior garage wall. In between the narrow sidewalk and the exterior garage wall is a narrow (2 foot?) strip of dirt. The water is pooling in that dirt and seeping into the garage through the wall. I presume there is a small gap or crack (?) between the garage floor and the wall, allowing the water to penetrate.
Based upon the apparent water flow, the water seems to be penetrating along the length of the wall rather than penetrating at one entry point and then flowing into the garage from there. However, I guess the water could come in at one entry point, enter the wall cavity from there, and then flow into the garage.
What can I do to (1) band-aid the problem for now until the rains stop; and (2) fix it later. THANKS!
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/2 "2008-01-05T00:08:35Z")
Band-aid: use sandbags along the wall to keep that water from seeping in; dig a shallow trench the length of the wall to divert water along the wall and away.
Can you take some digital pics and post them so that we can get an idea of the problem area?
You may end up needing to put a French drain along the length of the wall, that can be a DIY if it doesn’t need to be too deep. I’d like to have some idea of the extent of the area draining towards the wall, and the layout of the sidewalk and yard.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/3 "2008-01-05T00:42:02Z")
Let me get some pics.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/4 "2008-01-05T01:00:03Z")
[Here is the problem area](http://flickr.com/photos/76754698@N00/)
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/5 "2008-01-05T01:07:45Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Cooper is concerned about water leaks
Heh. Looks to me like he’s got “high-water” legs.
Cute fish!
Anyway, that downspout is one place to look at remediation. You can get a flexible pipe which fits over the end, and re-direct water away from the problem. You’d be surprised how much water comes off of the roof! You could possibly bury this underground. Looks like it might have to go under the sidewalk - alternatively, maybe 90-degree around the corner, and go down the dirt strip?
Looks like someone had this problem before - the wall looks like it’s been patched, or possibly that was some attempt at water-proofing? Waterproofing is going to be near impossible for plaster/EFIS/stucco. There is a technique for ‘sealing’ the under-lip of stucco, which might help a little here - that’s a question the stucco folks can answer.
As we’re facing the wall - what’s to the extreme left? Would it be possible to dig out the dirt strip and make a “belly” in it? I’m thinking, let the water drain out to the left - unless there is some “hard point” in the way down there?
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/6 "2008-01-05T01:14:24Z")
The beer bottle is under the drain spout to support a temporary plastic spout extension (not shown), but doesn’t seem really effective here. Normally, the plastic pipe bends back around the corner and dumps the water into the dirt strip. However, if the whole dirt strip is “flooding” it’s not really helping.
As you go from the spout and around the corner of the house there, you can follow the sidewalk out toward the fence. The sidewalk meets up with the house at the end, where you will find the gate. So, as you face the wall, to the left is some concrete heading under the gate. The dirt strip ends at the concrete sidewalk/gate, running only the length of that wall. It would be nice if that spout emptied into an underground pipe leading out to the front yard.
I think if I just put one of those little concrete diverters there, the water might end up flowing off the diverter, onto the concrete patio, then right back into the dirt. I don’t know which way the concrete slopes right there.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/7 "2008-01-05T01:18:15Z")
I don’t know about prior wall patches because I have only been in this place a couple of years. The yellow part at the bottom is the old exterior paint color.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/8 "2008-01-05T01:30:42Z")
If the water is diverted along the strip leading away from the spout via some sort of channel, that channel will end up being below sidewalk level where the dirt strip ends, no? It would be ideal, I think, to divert the water down the strip to that sidewalk under the gate where the drained water can then flow harmlessly down the driveway.
In the meantime, where can I get sandbags?
Would some kind of plastic tarp work?
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/9 "2008-01-05T01:34:41Z")
[QUOTE=Bearflag70]
The beer bottle is under the drain spout to support a temporary plastic spout extension (not shown), but doesn’t seem really effective here. Normally, the plastic pipe bends back around the corner and dumps the water into the dirt strip. However, if the whole dirt strip is “flooding” it’s not really helping.
[/quote]
Absolutely! I always like to see the finished floor of a building about six inches above the surrounding ground. That way, even if you have ponding water in places, you stay dry - as opposed to this case, where the dirt is too close in elevation to the floor.
> [@](#):
>
> As you go from the spout and around the corner of the house there, you can follow the sidewalk out toward the fence. The sidewalk meets up with the house at the end, where you will find the gate. So, as you face the wall, to the left is some concrete heading under the gate. The dirt strip ends at the concrete sidewalk/gate, running only the length of that wall. It would be nice if that spout emptied into an underground pipe leading out to the front yard.
I have seen people take a piece of metal pipe and insert it under their sidewalk. You have to use a sledgehammer, and the distance should be short. Your sidewalk actually looks like a good candidate - it’s narrow. Provided that the metal pipe has a good, free outlet into an area which drains well, you could connect the spout extension to it and divert a lot of water away.
> [@](#):
>
> I think if I just put one of those little concrete diverters there, the water might end up flowing off the diverter, onto the concrete patio, then right back into the dirt. I don’t know which way the concrete slopes right there.
Quite right. One way to tell about the slope is to use a tennis ball, if you don’t have a level. Concrete should slope about 1/4" per foot, for drainage purposes. Grassed areas need a greater slope.
Are you renting, or buying?
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/10 "2008-01-05T01:37:37Z")
[QUOTE=Bearflag70]
In the meantime, where can I get sandbags?
[/quote]
Our city keeps sandbags, on the Public Works yard. If you call the P.D. they will notify whomever is “on call” at Public Works.
> [@](#):
>
> Would some kind of plastic tarp work?
If you had a way to keep the water from “end running” it, seems like it would. How deep is it getting in the garage? And how much longer is the rainstorm? You may just have to stand there and sweep it out for an hour or two.
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/11 "2008-01-05T01:38:36Z")
If the ground is saturated and if the problem is below ground level sandbags may not work. As to where to buy them, [this](http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&rlz=1B3GGGL_en _____ 213&q=where+to+buy+sandbags+sacramento&um=1&ie=UTF-8) might help, but you will have to fill them yourself. Lots of heavy work. You may have to suck it up for the duration and install a French drain, as was suggested above. In such a narrow space it will be a real pain in the ass. You need to go down below the level of the foundation. Ideally you would waterproof before you backfilled.
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/12 "2008-01-05T01:39:15Z")
Heavens. I just looked at Sacramento weather and it’s supposed to rain until Wednesday!
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/13 "2008-01-05T01:40:35Z")
[QUOTE=NinetyWt]
Our city keeps sandbags, on the Public Works yard. If you call the P.D. they will notify whomever is “on call” at Public Works.
[/QUOTE]
Looks like Sacramento County only does that for flood situations. [http://www.msa.saccounty.net/waterresources/floodready/sandbags.asp](http://www.msa.saccounty.net/waterresources/floodready/sandbags.asp)
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/14 "2008-01-05T01:40:39Z")
Self Service Sandbag Filling Locations currently open 24 hours a day at:
Westside Park, Rio Linda
6555 West 2nd Street
(Three blocks south of West M Street)
Rio Linda, CA
Orangevale Community Center
6826 Hazel Avenue
(Between Elm Avenue and Central Avenue)
Orangevale, CA
County Branch Center (off Bradshaw Road)
3847 Branch Center Road
Sacramento, CA
Samuel C Pannell Community Center
2450 Meadowview Road
Sacramento, CA
Robertson Community Center
3525 Norwood Avenue
Sacramento, CA
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/15 "2008-01-05T01:42:44Z")
From [here](http://www.cityofsacramento.org/emergency/Joint_news_release_01-04-08_11am.html)
Heh, had the same idea I did huh **Contrapuntal**? 😉
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/16 "2008-01-05T01:42:52Z")
Another list. I’m not sure if any of these are close to you. [http://www.msa.saccounty.net/waterresources/floodready/sandbags.asp#Non-County%20Operated%20Sites](http://www.msa.saccounty.net/waterresources/floodready/sandbags.asp#Non-County%20Operated%20Sites)
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/17 "2008-01-05T01:44:11Z")
[QUOTE=NinetyWt]
From [here](http://www.cityofsacramento.org/emergency/Joint_news_release_01-04-08_11am.html)
Heh, had the same idea I did huh **Contrapuntal**? 😉
[/QUOTE]
Yep.
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### Author:  [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/18 "2008-01-05T01:44:53Z")
I find that [this stuff](http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/HydraulicWaterStopCement.asp) is very easy to use, sets in minutes, can be spread on a wet area, and seals the water out. Regardless of what you do outside, use this inside to stop the water from coming into the garage.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/19 "2008-01-05T01:45:37Z")
[QUOTE=NinetyWt]
Are you renting, or buying?
[/QUOTE]
I own it.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-seeping-into-garage-at-base-need-tips-please/432344/20 "2008-01-05T01:51:24Z")
I drew a diagram and posted it with the photos if that helps.
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