How Sandbags Can Prevent Water Damage?

Sandbags can become a property owner’s best friend during times of torrential rainfall or when a nearby river has overflowed its banks. Anyone who owns a home near a lake, oceanfront, river or stream can use properly posititoned sandbags to protect their property and divert flowing or rushing water away from buildings to prevent flood damage.

The best sandbags are constructed from burlap, a sturdy material that won’t tear or break or slip out of your hands which can happen with plastic bags. There are also woven plastic bags designed to serve as sandbags that are less expensive than the burlap variety and work equally as well. It’s important to have these bags on hand before the danger of flooding is announced, purchased from your local hardware supply store or obtained from your local city government.

Work with a partner to fill each bag with sand, about 35 pounds per bag, with one person holding the bag open and the other shoveling the sand into the bag. Be careful that your sand grain is not too fine so that it doesn’t start seeping out of the sandbags. Tie off each bag with rope or if in a hurry, fold the end of the bag underneath the weight of the bag as you build your sandbag wall to divert oncoming water.

When using sandbags to build a protective wall against water, place it on as flat a surface as possible so the bags don’t shift or fall. The first row is placed end to end, with the second row of sandbags layered atop that first layer the way you layer bricks, in an alternating pattern. Have a gameplan ahead of time so you know exactly where the water will be diverted so it doesn’t ruin somebody else’s property or circle back onto your property.

After the danger of flooding has passed, sandbags are reusable. Simply empty each bag, stockpiling the fill of sand into a sandpile which can be reused at a later date. Allow both the bags and the sandpile to dry completely. Then cover the sandpile with a tarp, and fold the bags and place into storage until the weatherman or your local sheriff’s office announces there is another flood watch and sandbags should be put into place for diverting floodwaters.