Sand Bags
Sand bagging for flood control
One of the most destructive elements of hurricane season is flooding. Flooding not only ruins homes and possessions, but renders roads impassable and leaves towns unable to function. Often, flooding can take days and sometimes weeks to clean up, and during that time, you and your family may have to use hurricane kits or emergency supplies to survive.
If you and your family are worried about hurricane flooding, sand bags will help protect your home and your possessions from being ruined.
Sand bags have been used for centuries to hold back flood waters and to help contain high rivers or blocked drains to one area. They are also used to protect glass windows or to build a temporary wall in a military conflict. Hessian and heavy canvas sand bags are an affordable way to protect your home against flood waters, though burlap sand bags are the most common choice and are also the least expensive.
It might be beneficial to learn how to make sand bags and add them to your hurricane safety kit. Sand bags can be made by filling a heavy sack with local sand or soil, and then sealing it. When there is a threat of flood, the bags can be stacked in front of basement windows or doors to prevent water from seeping through. To make the barrier more durable, layer your bags of sand like brickwork to make an interlocked wall.
Unfortunately, even the most heavy duty sand bags will not stand up to water for a long period of time. The water will eventually seep through the bag and soak the sand, making the sand bag useless. If you are worried about floods, you may want to consider a more permanent option to prevent your home from being damaged. For example, you can lay cement sandbags against your foundation as a permanent way to prevent flooding.
Why Are Sand Bags Essential for Home Protection?
- Sand bags provide a heavy, temporary wall against damaging water.
- They protect not only the structure of your home, but your possessions as well.
Things to Consider When Choosing Sand Bags
- Will you make your sand bags yourself or buy them?
- What are you looking to protect within your home (doors, windows, etc.)?
- Are you looking for a more permanent flood deterrent or simply an emergency solution?
Top Sand Bag Manuals
- Emergency Sandbag Shelter and Eco-Village Manual - How to Build Your Own, Nader Khalili
