How to Keep Stormwater Away From Your Home with Sandbags

04/14/2023

Why does it matter?

Sandbags can be useful in redirecting stormwater, and debris flows away from your home. But be sure that the sandbags are properly filled and maintained.

What do I need to know?

• There are limits to what sandbags can do: sandbags will not seal out water.
• Sandbags deteriorate when exposed to continued wetting and drying for several months.
• If bags are placed too early, they may not be effective when needed.
• Sandbags are for small water flow protection: up to two feet. Protection from larger flow requires a more permanent flood prevention system.
• The filing and placing of sandbags is strenuous work and requires time and planning.

Where do I start?

• When lifting sandbags, use your knees and not your back.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands.
• Fill sandbags one-half full. Use sand if readily available, otherwise use soil.
• Fold the top of the sandbag down and rest the bag on its folded top.
• Do not tie the sandbag closed as untied bags form a tighter seal when stacked among other bags.
• Take care in stacking the sandbags.
• Lay a plastic sheet between the bags and the building to control the flow and prevent water from seeping into sliding glass doors.
• Limit sandbag placement to three layers unless you use a building as a backing or sandbags are placed in a pyramid.
• Tamp each sandbag into place, completing each layer before starting a new layer.
• Clear a path between buildings for debris flow.
• Consult with your local environmental protection department before disposing of used sandbags. Sandbags that are exposed to contaminated floodwaters may pose an environmental hazard and require special handling.

More Resources

• FEMA. Flood Response for CERTs.