Winter and spring rains can get pretty intense in Sacramento California — and that can lead to substantial flooding problems. This can result in serious mold outbreaks — as well as damage to floors and walls. It can also cause a wooden garage door to rot and lead to other repair problems with your garage door.

Prevention is as good as a cure. Here’s how to protect your garage door from flooding.

Simple Cleaning

First, start by cleaning your garage door opening. Remove any dirt and pebbles that can collect in the opening, preventing a solid seal. Dirt and other debris can leave a gap in your closed garage door where water can come rushing in.

Replace Your Garage Door Bottom Seal

One of the clearest ways you can prevent flooding to your garage is to replace your garage door bottom seal. This is a piece of weatherstripping attached to the bottom of your garage door that prevents rain water, dirt, debris and critters from entering your garage door. Overtime, it can crack and break off — leaving your garage door exposed. Replace your weatherstripping every other year. It’s a simple DIY garage door repair to put on your to-do list.

Sandbag in the Face of Intense Weather

If you are expecting seriously intense weather, say from a major hurricane, create your own sandbags. Fill bags with sand and line them up along the bottom of the door. Place newspapers or other absorbent material behind the sandbags to further sop up any water. If it’s a long storm, replace the sandbags and newspaper as needed.

Fill in Floor Cracks

As your foundation settles, cracks can develop in the concrete of your floor. This can lead to water seeping in and getting under your foundation. If your foundation is made of clay, this can lead to foundation problems and further cracks in your floor. Be sure to repair any cracks with a waterproof sealant.