How To Properly Sandbag Your Home

After Storm 2006, the borderland knows how important it is to be ready for flooding rain.

One way to keep the water out of your home is to use sandbags.

Using proper technique is crucial to ensuring the most effective barrier is made.

For example, if you are sandbagging your front door, it’s best to start with a plastic tarp or sheet extending three feet past the edge of the opening. The plastic should extend under the bags as well as up the wall.

A piece of plywood can also be added to increase the stability of the barrier.

Now, beginning at approximately one bag length past the edge of the door, begin laying the first layer of sandbags end to end, flattening each bag as you go.

The second layer is laid in a brick pattern, with the middle of one bag over the seam of the underlying bag. This ensures the strongest and most water-tight seal.

A third layer is recommended as well. If the water is expected to be higher, more sandbags may be needed.

It takes about 13 bags to cover an average-size door with three layers of bags.

After the floodwaters recede, it’s important to remove the sandbags immediately and dispose

For a list of the five area locations where 25 free sandbags are being offered to El Paso Water Utilities customers, visit this website.

Since the bags come pre-filled, they need to be stored in a cool, dry place until they are needed.