3 Non-Sandbag Flood Protection Tactics
1/27/2022 (Permalink)
Different Types Of Options For Flood Protection
Flood protection measures are important for those in the path of a severe storm or hurricane. One commonly used defense tactic is the use of the sandbag. Sandbags are bags made of sturdy materials like burlap that are filled with soil or sand and used for fortification, counterweights, ballast and flood control. They can be placed together to create flood dams that block and divert the flow of floodwater, minimizing or preventing flood damage. However, sandbags do have disadvantages, including being easily contaminated, being labor-intensive to fill and being vulnerable to degradation from the sun and elements. The possible contamination from sewage, garbage and other toxic materials in floodwaters makes them hard to handle after the storm is over, meaning a professional cleanup service in Duck Creek, TX, often has to be called in. There are other options for flood control and protection besides using a sandbag. Here are three of them.
1. Water Gate
One option for defending against floods is water gates. Made of PVC, the lighter, self-inflatable water gates stabilize themselves by utilizing the pressure of the floodwaters. They are pricier than sandbags, but the cost is offset by many advantages, including:
- Easy and quick setup
- Lighter than sandbags
- No easily contaminated stuffing
- Reusable
- Effective at protecting against flood damage
2. Floodblock
Similar to Legos, floodblocks are self-filling crates padded with foam on the bottom. They can be stacked and interlocked like Legos to create walls and barriers. They are lightweight and simple to make and use.
3. Quick Dam
Quick Dams are also known as water barrier socks. They are available in many different sizes and have become increasingly popular for flood control in North America. They are similar to sandbags, except they have no sand. Instead, they are activated by contact with water, absorbing it.
While a sandbag serves well as a flood preparation tool, it does have its downsides. There are many options for flood control besides sandbags.