3 Steps To Fix Water In Cars
When rainwater is detected inside a car, it is best to deal with it as soon as possible, because leaving it for a long time can lead to serious damage, especially to the electrical systems.
How to deal with water entering the car
Cleaning the interior
When water enters the car, the car floor is certainly the most affected area. Depending on the level of water contamination, different cleaning measures will be applied to clean the car floor.
If a small amount of water enters the car, only wetting the floor mat and slightly dampening the car floor, you can clean it yourself at home. First, remove the floor mat, spray/wash it, and let it dry. As for the car floor, use a dryer to dry it. Then, clean it with a specialized car interior cleaner spray.
In the case of heavy water entering the car floor, it is recommended to remove all the seats to clean the entire car floor. The car floor is usually covered with fabric. This material is very sensitive to water. If it stays damp, it can easily develop an odor, produce bacteria, and mold.
Not to mention that if too much water enters the car, it can damage the floor covering and sound insulation materials. The metal sheet of the car floor is very tight and is pressed to form various convex and concave shapes to increase sound insulation capability. Therefore, if water flows in, it will accumulate in water compartments.
Therefore, it is best to remove all the car seats, floor mats, and carefully cover the electrical wires. If there is serious damage, you may need to remove the floor covering and the car's sound insulation layer (if any) and redo it after cleaning. After removing everything, open the water drainage holes to let the water out, spray and clean to remove dirt. Next, use an air blower to dry it, lubricate the bolts and nuts for maintenance and rust prevention. Dry the floor completely and reassemble it as before.
If the seats or door panels are also wet, clean them as well. It is advisable to check the rear trunk as well because water leaking into the rear trunk of the car can cause moisture, unpleasant odor, and rust on the floor. Removing the seats and cleaning the entire car interior is quite complicated, so it is best to take the car to a professional garage for treatment.
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Check the electrical system
The electrical wiring system is likened to the "nervous system" and is present throughout the vehicle. Therefore, when water enters the car, after the cleaning process, it is necessary to check the vehicle's electrical system, especially the area under the dashboard and inside the door panels. If the electrical system is contaminated with water, it is very susceptible to short circuits and fires. Therefore, it is necessary to check all the wiring, connectors, and spray dry if necessary.
Testing, Error Scanning
After completing the water treatment process for the car, it is necessary to perform a comprehensive inspection and error scanning of the entire control system and electronic systems in the vehicle. Under the dashboard or center console, there are often multiple important systems such as airbag control, transmission control, lighting control, car entertainment system - speakers, air conditioning, etc. Therefore, besides water extraction and drying, it is important to check the operational status and see if there are any damages or malfunctions.
Don't forget to thoroughly check the power-adjustable seat system. When rainwater enters the car, it can affect the operation of the motors inside the seats, causing the seat control unit to become disabled. It is also necessary to inspect the interior devices of the car doors. If water enters the car doors, it can easily affect the speakers, power window controls, door locks, lights, wiring, etc.
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Causes of water entering the car
There are many reasons why water can enter a car, either due to subjective or objective factors. Some common causes of water entering a car include:
- Worn-out, warped, cracked, or damaged gaskets.
- Gaps or blocked water drains at the bottom of the car doors.
- Loose or insufficiently sealed adhesive for car windows (windshield, rear window, etc.).
- Loose or insufficiently sealed adhesive for car lights (taillights), allowing water to seep into the lights through the electrical wires.
- Opening the car door while outside is flooded, even though the door sill is designed to be relatively high, water can still enter the car when encountering waves from oncoming vehicles. Incomplete closure of car doors, improperly sealed windows, forgetting to close the sunroof...
Identifying the exact cause will help quickly address water entering the car and prevent it from happening again.
The most perfect way to prevent water from entering the car when it rains
Water can have several detrimental effects on a car if it infiltrates areas where it shouldn't be. One of the most immediate and obvious consequences is water damage to the car's electrical system. When water seeps into sensitive electronic components, such as the engine control unit or fuse box, it can lead to short circuits, corrosion, and malfunctioning of vital systems. Moreover, prolonged exposure to water can cause rusting and corrosion of various metal parts, such as the undercarriage, suspension components, and brake system. Water can also infiltrate the interior of the car, damaging the upholstery, carpets, and electrical connections for features like power windows and seat adjustments. Additionally, excessive moisture can create an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew, resulting in foul odors, health hazards, and the need for costly professional cleaning or replacement of affected materials. To avoid these harmful effects, it's crucial to keep water out of a car and promptly address any water-related issues to prevent long-term damage.
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