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Article Series: Floods
Flood Facts, Tips and Safety Protocols
How
To Use Sandbags In A Flood
Floods can occur in a number of different
ways – from the unexpected heavy downpour that suddenly causes
the local rivers and lakes to surge beyond their boundaries
to the warm spring runoff that slowly builds the tension as
to how close the water will come.
One of the primary defenses used to protect one's home and
property is the use of sandbags. If a sandbag 'dike'
is properly built it can do a lot to reduce or even prevent
flooding. Clay
or silt can be used to fill the bags but sand is easier to
work with and so is used most often. In choosing the size of
the bag to fill it is a good idea to keep the weight size below
thirty-five pounds as this will make it easier for anyone involved
to be able to handle the bags without danger of getting hurt.
The bags are then filled to approximately half full and left
untied. (The reason for this will become evident.) To create
a dike that will have strength, your best option is to try
and keep it as short as possible and to keep it low in line
with the natural lay of the land. Although understandably,
this may have to be adapted to accommodate the expected height
of the flood. Try and avoid any obstructions that would only
serve to weaken the dike. It is not recommended to build directly
against the wall of a building. Leave 8' to maneuver in between
the dike and any building.
If there is any snow or ice on the ground you must first clear
this away for the length and width of the dike. And in order
to keep it as stable as possible it is suggested that if you
plan to go higher than three feet that you dig in a few inches
into the ground forming a small trench that will serve to support
the base of the dike.
In stacking the bags you place the first layer of bags lengthwise
along the dike, lapping the bags so that the filled portion
of one bags lies on the unfilled portion of the next bag effectively
snuggling in and sealing the portions closely. The base of
the dike should be three times as wide as the dike is high.
Then the second layer of bags should be perpendicular to the
first with each row alternating till the final height is reached.
The sandbag dike can be further sealed by using heavy construction
plastic on the side facing the water. To do this, it is recommended
to lay a small, 1” layer of dirt approximately 1' wide along
the length of the base. Then lay the edge of the plastic down
over top sealing with bags to hold it down in place. Then drape
the plastic up over the front of the dike using sandbags again
to hold it in place on top. Don't worry about making it tight
because the give in it will prevent surging water from tearing
any holes.
Since sandbagging is usually done with a number of people
helping it is good to remind everyone to put into practice
all the good principles of lifting something in a safe manner.
Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, anywhere without warning. Protect yourself and your family. Click to see valuable emergency preparedness supplies and information. Be ready. Be prepared. I love this website. It's my SolveYourProblem recommendation.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2009
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