Do flood barriers leak?
A barrier is only as good as the opening, substrate, seals, installation and the rest of the building. Rubicon checks all five and does not claim panels never leak or that one barrier keeps a whole house dry.
Under the barrier
Uneven floors, cracked concrete, expansion joints and sand in the seal line can let water under the bottom gasket. Clean the seal line before deploying.
Around the sides
Out-of-plane mounting surfaces or damaged side seals can leak. Rubicon checks jambs during measurement.
Around the barrier entirely
Water can enter through another door, a vent, weep holes, a drain or the slab. Protecting the front door while the garage is open is a classic bypass.
Over the top
A barrier is built to a measured height. Water deeper than the stack goes over it.
Common questions
Are flood barriers completely watertight?
No responsible installer promises a whole house stays dry. A measured barrier creates a compressed seal at one opening under design conditions. Performance depends on fit, seals, thresholds, other openings and drainage.
Can water seep underneath a flood barrier?
Yes. Uneven floors, cracks, joints, debris in the seal line and low gasket compression can all let water under the bottom seal. Clean mating surfaces and correct installation matter as much as the aluminum.
What happens if water rises above the barrier?
It overtops the stack. Barriers are sized to a measured protection height, and the assessment sets that height and which openings come first.
How do I know my barrier is sealed properly?
Check that seals are clean and undamaged, panels are fully compressed and fastener caulk is intact. Book a pre-season inspection for a test deployment with a technician.
Find out what it takes to protect your openings
Book a free on-site assessment. Rubicon measures every opening and gives you a written quote after the visit.