How to Fill Sandbags

Sandbags are useful to create a temporary retaining wall to hold back water and dirt. Sandbags are valuable during winters and rainy seasons to prevent flooding waters from seeping in, under doorways and to protect the foundations of houses and buildings. Sandbags are also useful in maintaining the internal structure of holes or foundations until permanent walls can be constructed. Filling and preparing sandbags are easy tasks when you have the materials on hand. Sandbags should overlap horizontally when stacked in layers, for optimal coverage and stability.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sandbag Sand (approx. 40 lbs. per sandbag) Twine Shovel Optional: Large funnel

1. Roll the opening of a sandbag down a couple of turns in order to keep the sandbag in an open position. Insert the large funnel in the opening if desired.

2. Shovel sand into the sandbag, filling approximately two-thirds of the bag (minimum fill should be more than halfway). Use approximately 40 lbs. of sand per standard sized sandbag.

3. Unroll the top of the sandbag and tie the top of the bag tightly with twine. The tie should be located at least two inches from the top edge of the bag.
   Secure the tie with double knots.

4. Repeat as needed, to prepare the desired number of sandbags for your projects.

Tips & Warnings

• Use protective gloves and wear safety glasses during windy days.
• When handling treated sandbags, wear protective gloves and avoid contact with eyes and mouth.

References

• US Army Corps of Engineers/St. Louis: Sandbags

[johncrippen]

on 11/4/2009 Here's a pretty easy to use funnel for making sandbags...http://www.thesandbagfunnel.com/