Auto Maintenance: Benefits of Keeping the Car in Shape

Water Intrusion and Your Car: Common Areas Where Leaks Can Occur

9 March 2015 by Brent Porter

Even if you haven't been in an accident, minor changes in your car's body condition can lead to water leaks, which can cause major water damage in a short amount of time. If you start noticing water on the floorboard of your car, it's imperative that you see a body repair specialist immediately to prevent mold, mildew and rust as well as damage to your electrical system. 

Since leaks can occur feet away from where you first start noticing the water coming in, it can be difficult to determine where a leak actually is. This is because your car has a lot of tunnels and grooves that water can travel through before spilling out onto your floor. Following are common areas where leaks can occur. 

Windshield Gasket

One of the most common places for leaks to occur is around the windshield. This is especially true if you've had new glass put in or if you've been in a minor accident. However, even new cars can have defective windshield gaskets, which allow water to seep in around the glass. If your auto body technician determines that your car is leaking around your windshield, they will have to remove it and replace the gasket.

Around the Doors

Doors are designed to allow a little bit of water to seep in through the cracks. The water is never supposed to enter the car however. Normally it is channeled around the edge of the door and out holes found in the bottom of the car body via a network of metal grooves and rubber seals. If the integrity of this system is impacted by deteriorating rubber or a misalignment of the door, water will come in. If your water intrusion is caused by deteriorating rubber, it is relatively easy to fix. If the body of your car is misaligned, you may have to have body work done to fix the problem.

Body Seams

Water can also come in through any crack found along any of the body seams of your car, especially those found on the roof and trunk. Sometimes, the sealant found along the seams is faulty and needs to be replaced. If you've had an accident, some of your panels may have shifted, allowing the water to come in. 

There are many places where water can enter your car. If you have a leak, it's vital that you have your car inspected and fixed immediately (at auto shops like River's Truck Center) to prevent further damage.   

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