The 3 Best Sandbag Alternatives

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Sandbag Alternatives

Sandbags are an old-fashioned flooding management solution. Each sandbag is messy to fill without specialized equipment and is only suitable for one-time use after coming into contact with contaminated water. Check out three reusable sandbag alternatives that are easier and faster to maneuver into place and may be more effective at blocking flood water.

1. Absorbent Barriers
Several manufacturers make porous alternatives to sandbags. These flat bags absorb water and swell to create a barrier that blocks the flow of water. Absorbent barriers have the advantage of being the most lightweight and easy to store flood control method. It is possible to deploy these barriers in a matter of minutes. Some manufacturers guarantee that barriers can be used to block water for months. Some absorbent barriers can be dried out and reused.

2. Water-Filled Barriers
Nonporous water-filled flood dams are another reusable solution. This type of barrier requires some preparation, as it is necessary to use a hose to fill these cofferdams with clean water. These barriers can be left standing as long as necessary to limit flood damage before being emptied, cleaned, stored, and reused.

3. Flood-Proof Fencing
Another popular sandbag alternative is fencing designed to stand up to flood water. Flood fencing can create a higher barrier than other water-filled barriers. The setup time for this fencing may exceed water-filled cofferdams and other sandbag alternatives, but should be easier than filling and stacking large quantities of sandbags. Though this flood control equipment is costly, it can keep an entire property or area from flooding.

Each of these sandbag alternatives is useful for certain applications. If you own commercial property in Lyons, CO, you may want to invest in one or more solutions for controlling flooding. Buildings in flood zones may benefit from using any of this equipment to reduce the severity of storm damage.