The Cost of Ingress: How Water Damage Impacts Industrial Sites

Keep your warehouse dry, clean and compliant – with a simple threshold seal

Water ingress isn’t just a problem for homes. In commercial settings, the risks – and the costs – can be far greater.

From damaged stock and corroded equipment to costly downtime and compliance failures, even a small flood can quickly become a major disruption. But with the right threshold protection, it’s a problem you can prevent – simply and affordably.

In this guide, we’ll break down the hidden costs of unchecked water ingress, show how GaraDry® seals reduce those risks, and help you choose the right solution for your site.

What does a flood really cost your business?

Water doesn’t need to be knee-deep to do serious damage. Here’s where the costs add up:

Equipment and asset damage

Water corrodes shelving, conveyor systems, control panels and pallet trucks. Even shallow flooding can write off thousands in assets – just 50mm of water could total £10,000 in damage to a single wall of racking.

Damaged stock

In food, pharmaceutical and electronics warehouses, even minor moisture can mean contamination or spoilage – often requiring costly disposal, reporting, or recalls.

Structural repairs

Repeated saturation cracks concrete, degrades floor coatings and damages levelling equipment. Full repairs often start at £100 per square metre.

Operational downtime

Flooded bays can stop dispatch and delay production. Just one hour of downtime can cost £1,000–£5,000 in lost output and labour.

How GaraDry® threshold seals reduce flood risk

Our commercial threshold seals are engineered to stop water at the door – literally.

Creates a watertight barrier

Each seal includes a high-strength aluminium base and a 30mm EPDM rubber insert that blocks rain, run-off, and wash-down spray from crossing the threshold.

Built for long-term protection

Made from corrosion-resistant materials, GaraDry® seals stay solid for over 10 years with minimal maintenance – no warping, sagging or leaks.

Easy to maintain

If the insert wears down, just clip it out and replace it – no need to remove or re-drill the base.

Browse GaraDry® Commercial Threshold Seals

Real-world example: small flood, big impact

A regional logistics centre saw 80mm of rainfall in a single afternoon. Without seals, water flowed into five bays – damaging five electric pallet trucks, flooding 20 metres of racking, and halting operations for 48 hours. Total cost? Over £25,000.

After installing GaraDry® Class D threshold seals on all 12 bays, a later 100mm storm caused no water ingress and zero downtime.

What’s the return on investment?

A commercial threshold seal typically costs £80–£100 per bay, including installation. Here’s how quickly they pay off:

Cost item Without seals With GaraDry®
Annual clean-up & repairs £5,000 < £500
Stock write-offs £10,000 £0
Downtime (8 hrs @ £2,000) £16,000 £0
Total cost per year £31,000 < £500

Best practices for installation and maintenance

Start with a site check

Identify thresholds most at risk – sloping bays, poor drainage or high-traffic entries.

Choose DIY or pro install

All GaraDry® kits come with pre-drilled bases, fixings and sealant – fit in under an hour.

Maintain quarterly

  • Sweep away grit, dust and debris
  • Inspect rubber inserts annually
  • Refresh silicone bead every two years for maximum protection

Follow our step-by-step installation guide

A simple fix for a costly problem

Flooding in a commercial garage or warehouse can lead to thousands in avoidable damage. GaraDry® threshold seals give you a simple, reliable way to protect what matters – and avoid the stress, cost and disruption of water ingress.

Need help choosing the right seal? Contact our team for expert advice and product recommendations. We’re here to help.

Browse Commercial Threshold Seals
Read: Why Warehouses Need Threshold Seals to Stay Safe and Clean

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