Worried about flooding during heavy rains? Sandbag! Sandbag! Sandbag!

8/18/2023 (Permalink)

Sandbagging is a technique used to create barriers and protect buildings from flooding. If you're facing a potential flood threat and want to sandbag your house, here's how you can do it:

Materials You'll Need:

• Sandbags (available at hardware stores or you can make your own with sand and suitable bags)
• Sand (for filling the bags)
• Shovels
• Plastic sheeting (to help waterproof the sandbags)
• Work gloves
• Stakes or weights (to hold the sandbags in place)

1. Get Sandbags: Purchase sandbags from a hardware store or contact your local emergency management agency for information on obtaining sandbags. If you can't find pre-filled bags, you can buy bags and fill them with sand.

2. Fill Sandbags: Fill the sandbags about half to two-thirds full with sand. Overfilled bags will be difficult to manage and won't stack properly.

3. Seal and Stack: Fold the open end of the sandbag and place it on the ground with the folded end facing up and the sealed end down. When stacking the bags, stagger the layers like you would in bricklaying. This creates a more stable barrier.

4. Form a Barrier: Place the sandbags to form a barrier around the areas vulnerable to flooding, such as doorways, windows, and low-lying parts of your property. If you're building a wall, make sure it's at least two bags wide to provide stability.

5. Tamp and Mold: Gently tamp down the bags in each layer to create a firm and stable barrier. Use the weight of the bags to create a tight seal.

6. Anchor the Barrier: Depending on the situation, you might need to anchor the sandbag barrier with stakes or other weights to prevent shifting.

7. Create a Slope: If the water is approaching your house, create a gentle slope with the sandbags to redirect the water away from your home.

8. Protect Doorways: If you're protecting doorways, consider using plastic sheeting in addition to sandbags to create a waterproof seal. Attach the plastic sheeting to the doorframe and drape it over the sandbags.

9. Monitor and Maintain: Regularly check the sandbags for signs of wear or displacement. Replace damaged bags promptly and adjust the barrier as needed.