What to Do When There is Water Accumulation in the Car Cabin?
3 Answers
You can use a towel to absorb the excess water, open the car doors for ventilation, and place some desiccants inside the car to handle the situation in the shortest time possible. Never attempt to start the car, as doing so may cause secondary damage to the vehicle. In the event of an insurance claim, the owner could suffer significant losses.
A couple of days ago, my car got flooded too, it was really frustrating. The most important thing is to immediately identify the cause of the water accumulation. First, use a dry towel to soak up the visible water, paying special attention to hard-to-reach areas under the seats where water tends to collect. Then, open all the doors and let it air out for a day—it's best to remove the floor mats and sun-dry them. If the flooding is severe, you'll need to remove the seats to deal with it; otherwise, the sponge inside can mold and produce a sour smell. Last time, my issue was a clogged sunroof drain—I just used a wire to clear it and it was fine. If the door seals are aged and leaking, applying some silicone grease can restore their elasticity. Most importantly, don’t drive around with a wet car—water damage to the chassis wiring can cause short circuits, and repairs will cost even more.
Speaking of water accumulation inside the car, I've had my fair share of troubles. I remember that time after a heavy rain when the carpets were completely soaked, and I found out it was leaking from the air filter area. I immediately used a high-powered vacuum to suck out the water and then spent half a day blowing hot air with a heater to completely dry it out. Here are some key points to check: the door frame rubber seals, the windshield sealing adhesive, and whether the drainage plugs under the car are blocked. Aging seals at the air conditioning system intake are also a common cause. After cleaning up, focus on maintaining metal components, and spray some rust inhibitor on places like the chassis springs. Finally, place a few packs of desiccant in the car and monitor it continuously for three or four days to ensure no moisture returns before considering the job done.
