How to Make a Sandbag Dam For Flood Protection

HOW TO MAKE A SANDBAG DAM FOR FLOOD PROTECTION Protect your property from rain and flood water by making a temporary dam out of sandbags PLAN AHEAD 8ft Think about where Make the dam as low Don't build the dam against the wall of a building, unless that wall has been specifically built to withstand pressure from floodwater. Instead, leave yourself at least 8 feet of room between the dam's edge and any building, so you have room to monitor and enlarge the dam if necessary. the water will flow, as possible, for stability. once it encounters your dam. Direct water away from your property, towarda drain or gutter. INSTRUCTIONS 3-5 mins 3x height Or, if you use traditional sandbags, fill them ½ full, using a pointed shovel. This is a 2 person job - one person holds the bag open and the other shovels sand in. Ideally, have a 3rd person stack the bags as they're finished. If you use alternative Tamp each layer of sandbags with your of the dam 3 times foot to ensure that For stability, make the base sandbags, soak them in a they're stable and that gaps are filled in. Your completed dam will have a as wide as the bucket or spray with a hose for 3 to 5 minutes dam is high. to "inflate." triangular profile. Direction of flow Cutaway sectional view Top view To strengthen the dam and close up gaps, as you add layers, alternate the bags' direction and overlap them - placing one layer on top of the seam (the crack between bags) of the previous layer. For instance, place the first layer parallel to the water flow and the second layer perpendicular the first layer, etc. Traditional sandbags don't need to be tied. Flatten the unfilled portion of each bag. Position the first layer of bags lengthwise, with the open ends facing "downstream." Place the filled part of one bag on top of the unfilled part of the preceding bag (see picture). Note - you will likely have some bags that don't have another bag resting on top of their unfilled portion. To secure these loose unfilled bag ends, either tie them or fold them back and tuck them underneath the bag. Although time and resource constraints often force shortcuts, these extra steps will make your dam much more reliable: Seal the dam with polyethylene plastic sheeting. Lay down 6 mil polyethylene sheeting before you start stacking sandbags. Stack your first layer on top of the plastic. Once you're done stacking all the sandbags, wrap the plastic sheet over the entire dam. Wrap it over the "water side" first, then wrap it over the top and cover the "dry side." Anchor the sheet with a row of sandbags in at least 3 places: on the bottom of both sides and also on the top of the dam. Dig a ditch 1 bag deep by 2 bags wide and remove sod. Fill this ditch (called a "bonding trench" with sandbags, and position the dam so that this bonding trench lies below the middle of the 1st layer of bags. OTHER TIPS sand sand Traditional sandbags usually weigh about 40 pounds each, has been contaminated with If you live in a flood prone area, keep traditional or alternative sandbags on hand so you'll want to fill them very flood water. Sandbags soaked so that you don't have to scramble at the last minute when a storm heads your way. Don't try to reuse sand that close to the area where they with flood water should be sent to a landfill for hazardous materials. If you use alternative sand bags, check with the manufacturer for will be used. specifics on disposal. HOW MANY SANDBAGS DO YOU NEED? Dam Number of sandbags required for length of dam 250ft 300ft height 1 foot 2 feet 3 feet 50ft 100ft 175ft 200ft 350ft 400ft 450ft 500ft 250 500 750 2,550 5,400 9,300 1,000 1,250 1,500 1,750 2,000 2,250 2,500 850 1,700 3,600 6,200 3,400 7,200 12,400 4.250 6,800 12,600 14,400 18,600 21,700 24,800 27,900 5,100 5,950 7,650 8,500 16,200 18,000 31,000 1,800 9,000 10,800 4 feet 3,100 15,500 water damage Water Damage Defense is an online distributor of specialty water damage prevention equipment. We equip homeowners so they can protect their property from the devastating effects of water damage. DEFENSE Read our home improvement tips at: blog.waterdamagedefense.com SOURCES: te tosandu nloads/How620To%20Use%20Sandbags.pdf • http://www.mvp.usace.amy.mil/docs/flood_fight2009/transcript_sandbaggingvideo pdf • http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/03/18/deblog-cant-we-reuse-old-sandbags/ • http://www.valleywater.org/Services/Flood_Protection/Sandbags/How_to_fll and_use_sandbags.aspx • http://wyohomelandsecurity.statewy.us/Library/Helpful_Hints • https://www.blrf.org.uk/common/_downloadFile.php?doc_url=1347971044 FfkG_sandbag_information.pdf •http://www.bhs.idaho.gow/resources/pdf/flood_fight_how_to_use_sandbags.pdf • http://burleighco.com/uploads/resources/59/cemvp_flood-fight_handbook_2009.pdf • http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2008/06/the_25cent_flood_protection_device.html Sandbag LDisposalpdf All facts, figures, and advice provided herein are intended for informational purposes only and may not be construed as professional advice. Before relying on such information or beginning any flood prevention project or construction project, please ensure to consult a professional. Water Damage Defense assumes no liability in connection with this publication. O Copyright 2013, Water Damage Defense.