How to Make a Sandbag Barricade
Sandbags are used to protect and/or strengthen flood areas. In many places throughout the country occasions arise, because of weather related incidents, that a river, dam or other waterway bank needs to be strengthened. Sometimes a whole community can be in jeopardy, and the homes themselves need a sandbag barricade to keep flood waters from entering. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Gather bags. A specific type of bag is made for sandbags. It is a plastic-covered woven burlap. However, in a pinch, regular burlap bags, pillowcases or laundry bags can be used. If there isn't time to order the plastic sandbags, burlap bags can be collected from feed stores. If you live in an area where flooding occurs, it is best to be prepared and order regular sandbags ahead of time.
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Use two people to fill sandbags. One person should hold the bag open, while the other person shovels the sand or other material into the bag. Add sand to the bag only until it is half full. Filling the bag to the top will make it too heavy to handle. A sandbag should weigh between 25 to 30 lbs. There is no need to tie the bag. As it is placed, simply fold the top of the bag under. The filled bag's weight will keep it closed and in place.
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Build the sandbag barricade. Place sandbags at the lowest levels first. On the first row, bags should be side by side, laying flat. Every additional row should be offset, as bricks are set. There should be no spaces between sandbags. Continue in this pattern until your sandbag barricade is high enough to adequately protect your home or community.
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Tips & Warnings
Although bags can be filled with sand for a sandbag barricade, soil or gravel can be used as well. Gravel is not as useful as sand or soil because of the air pockets created in the bag, but during times of emergency, materials at hand must be used. Canvas your area for fill material that would be available for immediate use.
Do not store sand-filled burlap bags for future use. The burlap will rot.
Resources
- Photo Credit white_shadow_photog at Flickr
