Effective alternatives to sandbags for flood prevention and property protection

We actively advise against using sandbags for flood protection and do not supply them to individual residents. Sandbags are not the most effective solution for flood defense because they are difficult to store, heavy to move, and do not create a fully waterproof seal. We encourage residents to consider more effective alternatives, such as water-activated flood barriers and other modern flood defense products that are easy to purchase online and set up quickly.

To better protect your home, visit the National Flood Forum for further advice on flood prevention and property protection strategies. Additionally, the UK government’s Environment Agency provides comprehensive guidance on preparing for floods, including advice on protecting your home.

If you still prefer to use sandbags, they can be purchased from local builders' merchants or online retailers. You can store your own supply of sand for emergency use. For best results, use coarse sand and place plastic sheeting under the sandbags to enhance their effectiveness in preventing water seepage.

Finally, ensure you are familiar with the correct way to deploy sandbags: stacking them tightly in a staggered pattern and using them in conjunction with plastic sheeting to divert water around your property. You can find further details on proper sandbag usage.