As flood experts, one of the most common questions we get is: “Should we use sandbags to protect our property?” Understandably, people are more familiar with sandbags as a flood protection product because it’s all we’ve known for decades.
Fortunately, technological advances have helped create modern and robust flood products that are more effective than sandbags. However, many people are still not familiar with the latest in flood protection - the passage “old habits die hard” rings true in this scenario.
This article aims to bring awareness to some of the highest quality flood protection products today, and highlights the challenges associated with sandbags.
Sandbags for Flood Protection: Labor-Intensive and Time-Consuming
Sandbags have been a traditional choice for flood defense for decades. While they are readily available and relatively inexpensive, the process of filling, transporting, and stacking sandbags is labor-intensive and time-consuming.
The labor-intensive nature of sandbag deployment poses several challenges:
- Acquiring and transporting large quantities of sand requires significant manpower and resources
- The manual filling of sandbags is time-consuming and can be physically demanding
- Once filled, sandbags need to be strategically placed to create a barrier against rising waters, demanding precision and careful planning
In the face of an imminent flood threat, individuals and communities may find themselves in a race against time, struggling to deploy sandbags effectively. The challenges associated with their deployment have led to a growing interest in exploring more efficient and modern alternatives.
Flood Panels: Robust, Easy to Deploy, and Highly Effective
In contrast to sandbags, flood panels offer a modern and efficient solution to flood defense. Unlike sandbags, flood panels are pre-manufactured to fit specific openings, such as doors and windows, making them easy to deploy in a timely manner.
One of the key advantages of flood panels is their ease of installation. Modern flood panel systems often feature user-friendly designs, allowing for quick deployment without specialized training or the need for additional tools. Some systems utilize interlocking mechanisms or anchoring systems that enable a secure and seamless connection between panels, creating a watertight barrier.
Moreover, flood panels are reusable, reducing long-term costs associated with flood defense. Their durability and resistance to wear and tear mean that they can be stored and reused for multiple flood events, providing a more sustainable and cost-effective solution compared to the one-time use of sandbags.
The benefits of Flood Risk America’s flood panels:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) compliant, meeting high standards for flood protection
- Insurance industry certified, which means you can qualify for lower insurance premiums
- Corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for coastal properties dealing with saltwater challenges
- Lightweight (less than 5 lbs PSF) which makes panels easy to install and remove
- Cost-effective without sacrificing quality
- Marine-grade material offers toughness and versatility
- Quick installation: 7 minutes per person
- CCN seal technology with an airtight sealant
- Tailored assembly is used to customize the size to any shape or design needed
- Applications: Elevators, windows, control rooms, doorways, walkways, essential equipment, new or existing structures
- Lifetime warranty, which means you’re protected from any defects related to the product for a lifetime
The Importance of a Customized Flood Protection Solution
The importance of a customized flood protection solution cannot be overstated, as the effectiveness of flood defense measures often hinges on their ability to adapt to specific vulnerabilities and structural features of a given environment.
While sandbags offer a degree of customization through manual stacking and placement, flood panels take customization to a new level. Flood panels are designed to fit precisely into specific openings, such as doors and windows, ensuring a tailored and watertight fit. This level of customization eliminates potential weak points in the flood defense system, enhancing its overall effectiveness.
The ability to customize flood protection measures is crucial for addressing the diverse challenges posed by flooding in different settings, making flood panels a superior choice for those seeking a tailored and efficient solution to protect against rising waters.
What is the Best Flood Protection Product?
The choice between sandbags and flood panels is clear: flood panels emerge as the more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective option for safeguarding communities against the destructive forces of flooding. In addition to flood panels, there are other modern flood protection products available, including protection boxes, floor drain protection, and more.
The ‘best’ flood protection product truly depends on each property and its unique requirements. At Flood Risk America, our approach involves a thorough assessment of the individual nuances associated with your building and its surrounding supports.
This detailed evaluation allows us to identify the most effective flood barrier solution, ensuring a customized and optimized defense strategy against rising waters.