Sandbags
Check local flood mapping, prepare your emergency plan, understand evacuation routes and source sandbags early if your property is flood-prone.
Sandbags will not stop flooding entirely, but when placed correctly they can help reduce the amount of water entering your home or business.
They are most effective when used as part of your overall flood preparedness plan and should be prepared well before severe weather impacts your area.
Before flooding occurs:
- Understand your flood risk.
- Prepare an emergency plan.
- Assemble an emergency kit.
- Purchase or prepare sandbags early
Before you need sandbags
Residents should not wait for a flood warning to source sandbags.
During major weather events, demand can exceed supply and some locations may experience shortages.
Consider preparing sandbags before storm and cyclone season, particularly if your property has previously experienced flooding.
Safe lifting
A filled sandbag can weigh between 15 and 20 kilograms.
Take care when lifting, carrying and stacking sandbags, particularly if working alone or in wet conditions.
How do I fill the sandbags?
How do I fill the sandbags?
- Use sand to fill bags. It works much better than soil, clay or gravel. Only use these if sand is unavailable.
- Only fill bags 2/3 full.
- Do not over fill bags as they will be too heavy to carry. A filled sandbag can weigh 15-20 kilograms.
- Do not tie the top of the sandbag, unless transporting.
Tip – Sandbags may be place in plastic bags to provide greater water resistance.
Where do I need to put the sandbags?
Where do I need to put the sandbags?
Most standard homes and buildings on a concrete slab can be protected with less than 25 sandbags. Sandbags will not stop the water completely but can reduce the amount of water entering your property.
It’s not always necessary to place a sandbag wall around the whole building. It may only be needed if the house is on stumps or constructed of timber or fibro sheeting. Sandbags can be placed to redirect water rather than keeping it out altogether.
Before building a sandbag wall, consider how you will remove floodwater that could become trapped between the sandbag wall and your building (e.g. pump, siphon, or bailing bucket).
- Create a small wall across doorways and roller doors, to at least the height of the expected flood level. Make sure you still have access to at least one doorway by building a wall that allows the door to still be opened (as pictured left).
- Cover air vents between brickwork with sandbags. Small vents can be covered with waterproof tape or plastic.
- Cover all drainage holes (sinks, showers, etc) to stop back flow of contaminated water.
- Block toilets with a small plastic bag of sand, weighed down by a larger sandbag.
How do I lay sandbags?
How do I lay sandbags?
- Place down a layer of plastic sheeting to act as a water proof membrane.
- Lay sandbags like brickwork on top of the plastic sheeting, staggering rows so the joins do not line up.
- Start at one end and work to the other end.
- Make sure the unfilled top part of the bag is covered by the next bag.
- At the end of the row, tuck the flap under the bag.
- Flatten down the sandbag row before adding the next row to help build a better structure.
Storing sandbags
Storing sandbags
If keeping a stock of sandbags, store them in a dry place out of the sun. Wet or damp sandbags can rot. A sandbag made of polypropylene can be stored longer than a hessian sandbag.
What do I do once I have finished with the sandbags?
What do I do once I have finished with the sandbags?
How you dispose of sandbags depends on whether they have been exposed to floodwater.
Sandbags exposed to floodwater
- Never reuse contaminated sandbags.
- Wear sturdy gloves when handling them.
- Floodwater may contain sewage, chemicals and other contaminants.
- Follow Council or SES advice regarding disposal locations.
Unused or clean sandbags
- Empty the sand into your garden or lawn.
- Do not place sand on beaches, waterways or stormwater drains.
- Allow reusable bags to dry completely before storage.
- Store bags in a cool, dry location away from sunlight.