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(587) 997-8186


  • Home
  • About
  • Products
    • Quik-Response
    • Gabion Flood Barriers
    • Geotextiles
    • Quik-Bump
    • Liquid Storage Tanks
  • Resources
    • Flood Blog
    • Canada Flood Guide
    • Flood Prevention Guide
    • Flood Safety Guide
    • Infographic Library
    • Downloads
  • Contact

QUIK-RESPONSE™ SELF-EXPANDING SANDBAGS

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Flood Protection Information

Complete Flood Prevention Guide

(Updated April 2021)


Looking for actionable ways to prevent floodwater from damaging your home & property?


Here, we cover important information, techniques & guides for protecting you, your loved ones and property from floodwater damages. 


Feel free to dig in & jump to whatever topic interests you:

 

  • These Areas of Your Home are at Risk of Flooding


  • How to Protect Your Home From Flooding: 35 Actionable Ways


  • How To Protect Your Business from Flood Water Damage?


  • How to Properly Stack Sandbags for Emergency Flooding


  • Building a Flood Wall? What To Use Instead of Sandbags


  • Different Types of Sandbag Material


  • Should You Pre-Activate Self-Expanding Sandbags Before Using?


  • The Do's and Don't(s) of Using Quik-Response Self-Expanding Sandbags


  • Guide to Sump Pumps & Weeping Tile for Flood Protection


  • How to Protect Your Sewers from Flooding

Flood Prevention Guide

These Areas of Your Home are at Risk of Flooding

Where Can Floodwater Enter Your House?

Household flood prevention is not easy.

But it is possible. 


It all starts with preparation. 


Being prepared for emergency flooding greatly decreases the chances of flood water damages to your home.  


So how do you protect your home from flooding? 


A good way to start is by identifying what areas of your home are most susceptible to intrusive flood water. In this article, we identify some of the common places in a home that floodwater tends to enter. 


In this article, we identify some of the common places in a home that floodwater tends to enter.


Common household entry points for intrusive floodwater:


Garages


Garages are one of the most flood-prone areas of a home. The reason being is that the garage door sits flush with the driveway concrete, making it an easy target for intrusive floodwater. Furthermore, concrete is porous and often uneven, which makes it even easier for water to enter.  


Our recommendation and most cost effective solution?

Use a combination of self-inflating sandbags and poly-plastic sheeting to secure the entire length of your garage door. Wondering where to buy sandbags?


First, lay down the poly plastic and fold it about 12" high up the garage door. Then, lay the sandbags on the poly. 


Refer to this guide on how to properly stack sandbags to create a water dam.
 

 

Doorways


Many of us have doorways leading out of the ground-level and basements of our home. 


Unfortunately, this is one of the most common points of floodwater entry and a big culprit of basement flooding. If your home has a walkout basement patio, preparing a means to flood-proof this door is extremely important.  


The problem with many doors is the lack of a water-proof seal at the bottom, which is the same reason we get drafts of air through our homes.  


Your options? 


  • Buy a flood proof door (effective, but expensive).  


  • Use household materials, ie. plastic sheeting, to seal the doorway (Inexpensive, but less effective).  


  • Use flood barriers, sandbags, sandless sandbags, etc. (Affordable & conventional).  Click here for sandbag delivery right to your door.
     


Foundation Cracks


It is no surprise that household basements are the most flood-prone areas of the home. 


Some common causes of a flooded basement includes: leaky basement windows, improper sealing on basement floors and walls, plumbing leaks, damaged water supply line, and improperly installed downspouts.


That is why you want to make sure to thoroughly and carefully inspect your basement and its foundation to identify areas where floodwater could potentially seep through.


Our recommendation:


Before entering, evaluate how much water there is in the basement.


If the basement is flooded with water, do not step foot inside because it could be dangerous if any electrical appliances come into contact with the water.


Call a professional for additional assistance instead.


To aid flood protection and mitigate water damage, install and use sandless sandbags as a quick solution to absorb, block and divert water before it has the chance to get to the level that could come into the basement. 


 

Foundation Cracks


The foundation cracks allow cold air and moisture to enter your home. This can cause harm to the walls, floors, and electrical systems of your home.


The impact of rapid flow of water to your home weakens the structure of your home. 


Large cracks in the foundation can cause your home to become unstable, resulting in a risk of collapse.


Our recommendation:


Once again, we suggest sandbags for flooding and poly wraps to secure the base of your house. Not only are they cost-effective, but they are also an extremely reliable way to cover any cracks and gaps in the foundation. 


 

Internal Sources


Aside from external flooding, basement flooding from internal sources like damaged water heaters and burst pipes must also be considered. 


Be sure to check your boiler room and have a plan to isolate it should emergency indoor flooding occur. For indoor flooding, a number of great products exist.   


Check out this list of the best flood barriers (our Quik-Response Self-Expanding Sandbags are on the list).  


Looking for sandbags for sale in Canada?
 


Household flood prevention starts with you.   


Being prepared and identifying ways to protect problematic areas of your home will minimize the chances of expensive floodwater damages to your home. 



Visit our blog for more flood prevention tips !
 

Flood Protection Tools:


Flood Barriers

QUIK-RESPONSE ™ Self-Expanding Sandbags


Sandbag Calculator

How many sandbags do I need to build a flood barrier?


Flood Damage Cost Calculator

How much money will flood damages cost me?  

Find out more

How To Protect Your Home From Flooding

35 Ways to Protect Your Home From Flooding

According to Public Safety Canada, flooding is the costliest natural hazard in the country.


With overland flood insurance failing Canadians, protecting your own property is more important than ever. How can we prevent flood water damages?


Use these 35 tips to protect your property from expensive floodwater damages:



1. Raise your home on stilts or piers


  • While expensive, raising your house on stilts can save you thousands of dollars in the long-term. Remember, even an inch of floodwater can lead to significant damage. 


2. Install foundation vents


  • This will allow flood water to flow through your home, rather than pool around it and relieves pressure on walls and basement windows. 


3. Apply coatings and sealants


  • Apply coatings & sealants to your foundation, walls, windows and doorways to prevent flood water from leaking into your house through cracks. 

 
4. Raise your electrical outlets and switches


  • All outlets, switches, sockets, and circuit breakers should be at least one foot above flood level in order to prevent significant electrical damages. 


5. Install check valves on your pipes


  • These valves prevent a flooded sewage system from backing up into your home. Tip: Gate valves are preferred over flap valves, since they provide a better seal. 


6. Grade your landscape away from the house


  • If your lawn tilts toward your house, rainwater is likely to pool around your home. Use a heavy soil that contains clay content and sand to adjust the grading of your lawn so that runoff empties into a street gutter.

   
7. Make space between your mulch and siding


  • Wet mulch can rot your house's siding which may lead to leaks. A space between your mulch and siding will allow it to completely dry after rainstorms.   


8. Point your downspouts away from your home


  • If your gutter runoff is not pointing away from your house, expect water to pool at the corners of your house. This can cause basement leaks.  


9. Repair or replace your roof if shingles are deteriorating or missing


  • Prevent rainwater from leaking into your home through the ceiling. 


10. Elevate & anchor outdoor equipment


  • Safeguard outdoor property from floodwater damages.  


11. Seal up any cracks in your foundation


  • Mortar or masonry caulk can be used to fill in any foundation cracks & gaps. 


12. Buy a battery-powered sump pump


  • A great way to pump water away from threatened areas. Buy one that runs on battery power in case of power outages. 


13. Relocate your valuables to higher ground


  • Moving your valuables to the second floor will help mitigate damages. 


14. Install a flood sensor


  • These come standard on many home security systems and can detect small leaks before they become a big problem. 


15. Have sewer or septic line check valves installed


  • These protect against sewage flooding back into your home.  


16. Clear out all gutters and drains to maximize drainage water flow


  • This can help prevent water from pooling near your property. 


17. Utilize sand bags to block water from contacting your home


  • If inconvenient, use sandless sandbags. These provide a great sand-free sandbag alternative.  We strongly recommend sandbags for flood control. 


18. Use water-resistant barriers


  • Wall sealants, waterproof skirting and poly-wrap can help protect your property's foundation.   


19. Use airbrick covers


  • Airbricks provide underfloor ventilation. However, its imperative to seal them during a flooding to prevent water from flowing into your home. 


20. Install flood resistant doors and windows


  • Designed to withstand impact by water and debris, these handy devices create an effective water-resistant seal against floodwater.  


21. Dig french drains and route to a sump pump in the basement


  • This can help minimize basement water damages. 


22. Install flood boards


  • Placing boards in front of doors can help minimize the impact of debris and high pressure flood water. 


23. Seal your floors with tanking


  • Prevents water from rising through the ground.   


24. Varnish your skirting boards


  • Seals up cracks and prevents rotting. 


25. Repair sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways


  • Cracks holes can cause flood water to pool near your property. 


26. Landscape your yard with plants and vegetation that will minimize soil erosion


  • By planting vegetation cover, plants slow down the flow of water by absorbing the surface water into the soil. Plant roots also hold the soil in place, preventing it from being washed away. 

  
27. In the winter, clear snow away from the home’s foundation.


  • Removing snow before it melts minimizes your risk of costly damages. You should shovel snow at least 3 to 5 feet away from the base of your home so snowmelt can drain properly.


28. Utilize window well covers


  • Prevents water from pooling and seeping into your basement. 


29. Ensure downspouts extend at least three feet away from your home


  • Make sure to point in a direction away from your home and towards a drain. 


30. Use a rain barrel to catch runoff.  


  • Rain barrels are used to collect water from the roof and holds it for later use. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water coming from your house.


31. Repair/replace your roof if shingles are deteriorating or missing


  • A weeping tile is a porous pipe used for underground water collection. It provides drainage for draining water that has accumulated at the base of the foundation.


32. Trim Overhanging Trees


  • In case of storms, overhanging tree limbs can damage your house and break windows. Therefore, trim them to prevent any further damages.


33. Mount high shelves for storing valuable items


  • In case of flash flooding, having mounted shelves can make a huge difference in saving household items.      


34. Install a flood-proof door


  • Flood-proof doors are a great way to stop water from seaping in through the entrance of your home

  

35. Buy flood insurance


  • If you live within a floodplain, flood insurance is a given. 



And there you have it!  


35 great ways to protect your home from flooding.  


Which tip are you going to try first?


If you're looking for quick, easy and convenient flood protection, check out Quik-Response .
 

home at night

How To Protect YOur Business From Flooding

smiling woman in front of store

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM FLOOD WATER DAMAGES

Having your own business is a capstone achievement that one can pursue in his/her life.


Large amounts of money and time are invested to ensure that the business will be viable and operate smoothly in both the short & long term. 


As such, it makes sense to safeguard this investment.


The bad news?


Your Business is Constantly At Risk!


Believe it or not, around 3,785 businesses in Canada were affected by floods in 2019. 


The interesting thing to note is that flooding does not occur only in the area near rivers or the coasts, but it can happen anywhere. 


Therefore, flooding is considered an urgent issue, and deserves your attention to ensure the safety of your business.


You might not be aware that only one inch of flood water can create immense damage to your business. 


It affects not only your physical business settings such as buildings, factories, or warehouses, but also impairs the ability to operate your business and causes a delay in operation. Delay in operation means delay in serving your customers and generating revenue. 


There are also additional expenses required to repair and get your business back to normal  operation. As a result, a plan must be put in place to prepare your business for an unexpected natural disaster. 


How Can Water Enter Your Home or Business?


1. Sewer backup


Sewer backup occurs when the normal flow of wastewater from your property to the city's sanitary sewer becomes blocked. There are a number of factors that contribute to sewage backup:


  • Overwhelmed sewage system caused by rainwater and melted snow
  • Old/ faulty sewage system
  • A cracked sewer lateral pipe (connects your home to the city's sewage line)
  • Broken/cracked sewage line
  • Tree roots puncturing sewage lines
  • Blockages in city sewage mains
  • Plumbing blockages
  • Sump pump failure


2. Overland Flooding


  • Riverine  Heavy rainfall or spring snow melt causes rivers or creeks to overflow.


  • Pluvial Heavy rainfall in neighborhoods or downtowns can be too much for storm systems to handle in cities & rural areas. This can cause ground flooding due to over saturated soils that are unable to absorb rainfall.


  • Groundwater Heavy rainfall causes underground water levels to rise above ground level and rain over land.


  • Ice Jam River ice breaks and jams in spring causing rivers to backup and flood.


  • Storm Surge Heavy winds force waves inland from a body of water.


  • Tidal Wave/Tsunami An earthquake offshore forces a large wall of water onshore. 


These are the most common ways that floodwater will enter your home or business. 


The question is ...


How Can You Protect Your Business From A Flood water Disaster?



Create Flood Protection Plan for Your Business


It is best to prepare an emergency plan for your business to cope with unexpected flooding in your area. 


The plan is not complex and does not require a large amount of time to prepare. We recommend the following preparations for your  flood protection plan.


  • Determine a flood-prone area in your business such as the front door of warehouses, office building, or entrance of factories.


  • Prepare a flood barrier that can easily and quickly be deployed to protect these vulnerable areas and prevent intrusive floodwater from entering your business. 


  • Be prepared for the worst case scenario (e.g. high level of flood water) and identify an exit route to ensure the safety of everyone in the building. 



Deploy Preventative Measures


There are several ways that you can protect your business from flooding. 


However, you should keep in mind that your flood protection solutions should be easy to use, quick to deploy, and do not require too much storage space. 


We have gathered some flood protection tools for you to choose from depending on your business needs.



Water-Activated Sandbags


Self-expanding sandbags are a water-activated alternative to traditional sandbags. 


They require no sand, no setup, and can be deployed 6x faster than normal sandbags, making them an ideal water dam choice for business owners looking to prevent intrusive water damage.



Flood Gates


Flood gates are normally installed to protect your business entrance. 


The size and height of flood gates varies depending on your business's entrance points.


These gates come in both portable and permanent options to choose from. This portable option can be setup in less than 15 minutes.



Sump Pumps


Purchasing or leasing a sump pump is another great way to protect your business. It is ideal to connect your pump to the battery backup, so it can immediately start pumping flood water during power outages. It is ideal to regularly check your backup power system to ensure that it is working properly.



Purchase Overland Flood Insurance


Overland flood insurance can help insure losses from a water-damaged business. 


The water must be caused from intrusive floodwater that enters through doors & windows or was caused by storm water, overflowing lakes, rivers or ponds.


Usually, overland flood protection is not included in a normal home insurance policy, so be sure to inquire about it with your insurance provider.



Follow these steps, and you can minimize losses to your businesses caused by flooding disasters! 


For more information on protecting your property, check out our flood blog!

Pyramid sandbag flood protection diagram

How to Properly Stack Sandbags for Emergency Flooding

How to Properly Stack Sandbags For Building a Flood Barrier

What is a flood wall? 


A flood wall is used to stop the flow of intrusive floodwater and direct it away from a property. 


Most commonly, flood walls are made from stacking sandbags.


Sandbags offer simple & effective flood protection, but only if you stack them properly.
Remember, the idea of sandbagging is to divert water away your property, not to create a dam.

 
Attempting to stop the flow of water dead in its tracks is a losing battle. 


Keep that in mind when considering the angle of your sandbag barrier.  

What is the correct way to build a sandbag flood barrier? 


First, you're going to need to fill and tie a bunch of 3/4-full sandbags. 


If using sandless sandbags, you can skip this step.


Next, lay the first bag parallel to the expected flow of water and debris, then lay the next bag over the fold of the first bag so that they partially overlap with each other.  

Stamp them down firmly with your knees as you repeat the process of laying each sandbag. Compressing the sand and flattening the sandbag will create a tighter seal. 


If using sandless, self-expanding sandbags, you can skip this step. The gel-polymer in sandless sandbags automatically forms a tight seal.   
 

Pyramid-Stacking  


A single-width sandbag wall works well in most situations, but should not be stacked higher than 3 units-tall (About 1 foot in height). 


If you’re dealing with more water than that, its best to use the pyramid stacking method.


To create a pyramid berm, determine the height and length of your desired pyramid wall. 


Then use this handy tool to determine how many sandbags you need to build your wall. 


Once you've determined how many bags you need, roll up your sleeves and begin filling & tying the required number of sandbags. 


It's quite a time-consuming process, so grab 2 or 3 friends to lend you a hand. 


If using sandless sandbags, you can skip this step because these sandbags require no filling or tying.  


As mentioned before, don't aim to stop the flow of water, but rather use your sandbag wall to divert the flow of water away from your property. 


If you're working in a confined space & unable to divert the flow of water, you'll have to take extra precautions to prevent the water from pooling-up and flowing into the foundation of your home. 


To do this, you'll need a roll of polypropylene plastic:   

 
Tape the poly-plastic sheeting to climb at least two feet up the wall of the building you are trying to protect. 


Then, stack the sandbags tightly against the poly and fold the excess under the sandbags. You can also thread the poly-wrap vertically through your sandbag wall for even tighter protection. 


Once again, if using sandless sandbags, this step isn't necessary. The gel-polymer inside these sandbags forms a much tighter seal than normal sand-filled sandbags.    



Additional Tips & Tricks: 


Filling & tying sandbags is time consuming, so be proactive, have all of your dike-building supplies on hand and begin construction BEFORE the flooding occurs. 


Use this calculator to see how long does it take to fill sandbags.


Failing to build your water dam wall in time can result in thousands of dollars in damages to your property. Use this flood water damage cost calculator to see how much.


It's not easy to predict when a flood will strike. 


If you're worried about not setting up your sandbag barrier in time, use Quik-Response self-expanding sandbags. They require no filling or tying and can be deployed in minutes by one or two individuals.  


Use polyethylene sheeting that is at least 5 mm thick.  


If your dike is going to be taller than three-feet high, you can strengthen it by digging a trench one-sandbag deep and laying your first layer of bags in the trench.  


Remove any debris between your dike and the ground before building. This will ensure a tight seal and stop water from seeping through the barrier.  



Follow these instructions and you can successfully prevent water and debris from damaging your property.


Want to know more about household water damage? 


These are 6 things that every Canadian homeowner should know. 

Flood Protection Tools:


Flood Barriers

QUIK-RESPONSE ™ Self-Expanding Sandbags


Sandbag Calculator

How many sandbags do I need to build a flood barrier?


Flood Damage Cost Calculator

How much money will flood damages cost me?  

Find out more

Comparing Different Types of Sandbag Material

Quik Response sandless sandbags protecting a sliding door

What Type of Sandbag Should You Buy?

Looking to purchase sandbags to prevent flooding and to protect your property? 


There are many types and kinds of sandbags, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some sandbags have shorter longevity (lifespan) than others, and some are used for indoor or outdoor purposes. 


In this article, we focus on emergency sandbag use and how each different sandbag type compares.


Different Types of Sandbag Material

Woven Polypropylene


Woven Polypropylene is a surprisingly light-weight yet strong material. These durable, circular, woven polypropylene bags are UV stabilized, weaved, and sewn tightly.


Because polypropylene is made of tightly woven fabric, it prevents sifting which keeps the sand inside the bag. Also, they are puncture resistant.


They provide an economical solution for flood mitigation and erosion control. However, they are not biodegradable and therefore must be disposed of properly.


Polypopylene is most often used for commercial purposes such as highway barriers, including many other traffic and construction applications.


In stores, they are sold in bales of 1000, weighing around 40 pounds when filled with sand and can hold up to 50 pounds of water.



Nylon


If you are looking for a strong, durable sandbag material, look into Nylon.

Nylon sandbags are made of urethane. Urethane makes nylon sandbags highly efficient for water repellent and dust control. It also has double stitched seams which contribute to its durability. 


Although they are not as robust as polypropylene sandbags, nylon sandbags have a puncture strength of up to 1200 p.s.i. and can also hold up to 50 pounds in capacity.


Its extreme water repellent capability makes it a great choice for indoor flood control use.



Burlap/ Jute


Burlap/ Jute bags are often the most commonly used sandbags since they are easily accessible and low in cost.


Burlap/ Jute bags are organic, eco-friendly, and 100% biodegradable sandbags. Its stitching and ties make them extremely durable and strong.


This material also lasts through strenuous weather conditions exceptionally well and is able to absorb water and allow airflow at the same time.


Jute is often a go-to choice for outdoor flood protection, such as traffic control, local roads, and the garage of homes.


If burlap/ jute sandbags are properly stored, they can be used several years later.


Burlap/ jute sandbags are also able to hold up to 50 pounds of water and form an ideal water dam.



High- Density Polyethylene (HDP)


Sandbags made of high- density polyethylene are very long-lasting. High- density polyethylene plastic is extremely strong allowing it to retain a lot of liquid without distorting its original shape.


They are also weather resistant and capable of carrying extreme weight while remaining flexible.


The heavy- duty material also allows the sandbags to be UV protected enabling the sandbags to last 1-2 years compared to traditional sandbags where they only last up to 6 months.


High-density Polyethylene sandbags can hold up to 70 pounds of water and are mainly used for erosion and flood control.


Conclusion

Sandbags come in so many different forms and sizes. Depending on your situation, you can choose one type of sandbag over another.


It is important to also know how to correctly use, store, and dispose sandbags. This enables you to be able to use the sandbags to its full capability. And most importantly, to divert water from your property to avoid costly damages.


Using sandbags is just one part of the flood prevention process. To learn more about how to properly prepare for a flood, check out our helpful flood safety guide.

Building a Flood Wall? What To Use Instead of Sandbags

The Benefits Of Using Sandless Sandbags

Sandbag barriers are an effective and very-commonly used method for protecting property against flooding. 


In recent years, a number of alternatives to the traditional sandbag have emerged- including sandless sandbags.

 

These self-expanding, sandless sandbags utilize a polymer substance that expands in both size and mass when exposed to water. 



Why sandless sandbags are better than normal, sand-filled sandbags:


Faster Preparation Time


  • Sandbag barriers are only effective if setup BEFORE a flood. However, flooding is unpredictable and can occur extremely fast. Hauling sand, filling sandbags, and lifting heavy bags to a job-site is a lengthy process when using normal sandbags. With sandless sandbags, you simply lay the weightless bags where you want them, add water, and watch the water-activated flood barrier grow in minutes.  


Faster Deployment (6x faster)


  • Using  traditional sandbags, it takes two individuals about one-hour to fill  and place a 1' x 20' dike (Emergency Mgmt. BC). With sandless sandbags, two individuals can deploy a 1' x 20' dike in under 15 minutes.  


No Sand Required


  • Sandbags require ALOT of sand (about two tons for every 100 bags). This can be messy, difficult to transport and hard to cleanup.


Easier to Store


  • Before activation, the sandless sandbag equivalent of thousands of pounds of normal sandbags can be stored in a closet or small room.    


More Convenient


  • Sandless sandbags bags require no setup and can be deployed by one or two individuals.  


Save On Labor Costs


  • Normal sandbags require a labor force for setup (filling bags with sand) and deployment. Sandless sandbags require no setup and can be deployed by one or two individuals.  


Save On Transportation Costs


  • Using a single pickup truck, the Quik-Response sandless sandbag equivalent of 11,000 lbs of traditional sandbags can be transported easily to a job-site.  

 


These are some of the main  benefits of using sandless sandbags over normal, sand-filled sandbags for flood protection barriers. 


Looking to protect your property from flooding? 


Identify and protect these 6 areas of your home NOW. 

Flood Protection Tools:


Flood Barriers

QUIK-RESPONSE ™ Self-Expanding Sandbags

Sandbag Calculator

How many sandbags do I need to build a flood barrier?

Flood Damage Cost Calculator

How much money will flood damages cost me?  

Find out more

SHOULD YOU PRE-ACTIVATE SANDLESS SANDBAGS?

Quik-Response Self-Expanding Sandbags how to activate infographic

SHOULD YOU PRE-ACTIVATE YOUR QUIK-RESPONSE SANDLESS SANDBAGS? And How?

"Is it necessary to pre-activate my Quik-Response Self-Expanding Sandbags or can I use the floodwater?"


It's one the of the most common questions we receive. 


The answer?


It depends.


In most cases, we certainly recommend that you pre-activate your Quik-response Self-Expanding Sandbags.


Why?


A flood barrier is only effective if it is set up BEFORE the flooding occurs. 


Remember, the whole purpose of building a flood protection dike is to divert water away from your property, so it makes sense to have the barrier setup beforehand. 


If left un-activated, there is no guarantee that the floodwater won't simply carry-away the un-activated units. It's not certain that this would happen, but why even risk the water damages to your home?


If you don't have time to fully activate your units, you can also partially activate Quik-Response. 


This takes anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 minute and will allow Quik-Response to gain enough mass so that it wont be swept away by the flood current. 


Then, the bags will continue to grow as they are subjected to more and more floodwater. This can be especially convenient in flash flood scenarios and other instances where time is of the essence. 


One thing to consider when partially-activating your Quik-response units is to consider the magnitude of the impending flood. 


Always activate Quik-Response to a mass large enough that they wont be swept away by the floodwater. 


Instances when pre-activation is not necessary: 


In some flood situations, such as internal basement flooding, you can use un-activated Quik-Response bags to absorb water. 


You can also place un-activated units under pipes to act as an absorbent mat should any leakage occur.


These instances aside, we recommend that you always activate (or at least partially-activate) your Quik-Response Self-Expanding Sandbags. 


How To Preactivate a Quik-Response Sandbag

Remember, QUIK-RESPONSE is activated by the presence of water. 


Pre-activate your units in the following ways:


Submerge bags in water for 3-5 minutes. (Recommended)


Flooding often occurs near rivers, lakes & coasts.


You can use this water to pre-activate your Quik-Response units. 


If at home, use a Tupperware tote or any other basin filled with a few gallons of water. 


Hose down bags until fully expanded


Most of us have a hose or water spout located outside of our homes. Hosing down Quik-Response takes a little longer than the submersing the bags, but it is one of the most convenient methods . 


Simply turn on your hose and evenly wet each unit of Quik-Response until complete activation is achieved. 


If a sufficient amount is available, use on-site floodwater to activate bags


As mentioned before, if using this method, be sure that there is a sufficient amount of water present for the bags to activate and the flood current isn't strong enough to carry away the un-activated units. 


Remember, proactive preparations is key for successully protecting a proeprty from flooding.


Likewise, a flood barrier is only effective if it is built in-place BEFORE the flooding occurs.



Follow the above steps and pre-activate your Quik-Response sandless sandbags!

THE DO'S AND DON'T(S) OF QUIK- RESPONSE SANDLESS SANDBAGS

What To Do & What NOT to Do When Using Quik-Response Sandbags

Quik-Response self-expanding sandbags are one of the most innovative flood barriers on the market. 


Whether you're a current Quik-Response user or are looking for more information about Quik-Response, this post will go over some of the things you should and should not do with your sandless sandbags!



Quik-Response Do's


Pre-activate units before stacking


  • When building a Quik-Response sandbag flood barrier, it's important that you soak them in water BEFORE the flood water approaches. Why? If you don't pre-activate the floodbags, you cant guarantee that a successful and effective flood barrier will form. The safest and guaranteed method is to have the sandbag flood barrier in place BEFORE the flooding starts.   


Follow proper stacking procedures when using Quik-Response sandbags 


  • A sandbag flood barrier is only effective if built properly. Use this guide to learn how to properly stack sandbags for emergency flooding. 


Build your emergency flood barrier at an angle 


  • The purpose of sandbagging is to divert water away your property, not to create a dam. Keep that in mind when considering the angle of your sandbag barrier. 


Store Quik-Response in it's original packaging


  • Keeping the floodbags away from moisture and humidity will ensure a long shelf life. 


On unsealed/porous surfaces, use polyethylene sheeting that is at least 5 mm thick 


  • This not only protects the ground surface, but will also help form a tighter seal against the flood water.   



Quik-Response Don't(s)


When it comes to floods, don't procrastinate


  • Quik-Response allows users to react extremely quickly to emergency flooding, but only if the user is equipped prior to the flooding. Utilize Quik-Response's convenient storage ability and keep some in your closet, in your car or in your garage.  


Don't cut open the Quik-Response bag


  • If you cut the sandless sandbag open, the self-expanding gel-polymer inside will ooze out. Quik-Response self-expanding sandbags are extremely durable, so unless you intentionally cut it open with a knife, the bag wont break.


Don't stack Quik-Response vertically


  • As mentioned before, you should not stack sandbags directly on top of each other. Instead practice pyramid sandbag stacking. It's the most effective and solid way to make a flood barrier.



Pretty straightforward, right? 


Follow these rules, and you'll effectively protect your property from emergency floodwater damages with Quik-Response Self-Expanding Sandbags.

The Do's and Dont's of Quik-Response

Guide to Sump Pumps & Weeping Tile

Sump Pump

Using Sump Pumps and Weeping Tile For Flood Protection

What is a sump pump?


A sump pump protects your home from flooding resulting from heavy rains, rising waters, overland flooding, and even internal flooding sources - leaking/burst pipes, a catastrophic washing machine failure, or a drainage backup that leaves behind enormous repair costs and structural damages. It's important to know which of the different types of sumps pumps best fits your needs. 


How does a sump pump work?


Sump pumps move water from your basement out of your home. A sump is a naturally constructed pit, typically a hole carved below the main surface of your basement floor. This pit holds the pump. The pump is equipped with valves that sense rising water levels or pressure. When the water gets too high, sump pumps automatically pump excess water out of the basement and away from your property using a discharge line. This line connects the sump pump to a designated drainage area located far away from the building. 


Where should a sump pump drain to?


Sump pump water discharges to a designated area, such as a dry well, a creek or pond, or even a neighbourhood drain. Be careful not to set your drain point somewhere that water will return to your home. Ideally, keep the pump 10 to 20 feet away from the foundation. Some cities have building codes that determine where your sump pump can drain, so it is always best to check. 


Types of sump pumps

Submersible sump pumps


Submersible pumps contain the pump and motor in one unit. They sit submerged and closed inside a basin in your basement. Because submersible pumps are completely submerged in the water basin, they are often quieter, save space in your basement, and clog less than a pedestal. 


Pedestal sump pumps


Unlike a submersible sump pump, a pedestal sump pump consists of a separate motor and pump. The motor sits on a pedestal above the basin, with a hose running to the hole where the pump is placed. Because the motor is not submerged, it often has a higher lifespan than other sump pumps and can be accessed easier for maintenance issues. However, it also means it can be louder and take up more space than the submersible pump.


Battery-operated backup


A battery backup pump is a great way to provide some extra security from flood damage. A battery backup with a float switch allows your sump pump to operate even when your power is out during a storm when you need it the most. If your power goes out during a storm, your sump pump will also lose power. If you live in an area where you lose power frequently, a battery backup is a good idea.


What sump pump do I need?

 Selecting the right sump pump is very important for the safety of your home. Choose a pump with enough horsepower to handle your level of flooding. If you select a sump pump with a lower horsepower than necessary for the amount of flooding in your area, you're still at risk for flooding. At the same time, a higher horsepower than necessary will cause cycling, turning on and off repeatedly, which lowers the lifespan of the pump.


Weeping Tile for Flooding

 While many preventative measure are possible to take care of or install on your own, some waterproofing jobs, like installing weeping tile, are very labour-intensive and may require the expertise a professional waterproofing company can provide. Below is a guide explaining everything you need to know about weeping tile - weeping tile is great way to prevent gradual flooding in your home. 


What is weeping tile?


It’s nothing fancy, but it sure is effective! Weeping tiles are porous pipes used to divert underground water. Originally, terracotta tiles were used, but modern products are plastic pipes with weep holes or small slits designed to redirect water away from the home. These pipes are installed near the foundation of the home. If you don’t already have weeping tile, installation will require digging up the ground near your home to install.


If your building gets water in the basement annually (often the spring thaw can result in minor flooding) or you are at a low elevation relative to your surroundings, you may want to consider having weeping tile installed. 


Sewer flood prevention-

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SEWER FROM FLOODING

As gross as it sounds, sewer flooding affects homeowners year round and can cause enormous damage to a structure. We’ve gathered a few sewer flood preventative tips:


  • Sewer Backup Protection Can Help


  • Screw Cap: if you’re having trouble with your floor drains, a screw cap installed upstream of the trap seal of the floor drain may be all you require.


  • A Canadian Standards Approval (CSA) Inline Sewer Backwater Valve: this should prevent sewer backup if you maintain it properly and have it checked regularly. Your plumber can provide you details on maintenance.


  • A Gate Valve: where a backwater valve isn’t sufficient protection, you may need a gate valve and a backwater valve for basement plumbing fixtures that are subject to backflow.


  • Sewer Backup Insurance. This insurance is available on most policies for a small premium. Check with your insurance agent or broker.




Part of flood prevention includes being prepared for a flood that is out of your control. Not all floods can be prevented on an individual scale, but knowing what to do should a flood occur is a great way to prevent unnecessary damage as a result of being ill-prepared.

 

  • Make an evacuation plan with your household


  • Practise your evacuation plan routinely


  • Listen to the news for local flood warnings and updates


  • Build an emergency flood kit - The Canadian Red Cross has a handy guide


  • Move valuable items and documents to the highest level of property to keep them safe and dry


  • Additionally, add copies of all important documents to your emergency/evacuation kit


  • Learn about your flood insurance coverage options, and understand exactly what your policy covers


  • Take pictures of your home, valuables, and documents. Ensure that these are backed up securely


  • Build a sandbag flood barrier or a water dam to protect vulnerable areas of your home

Additional Flood-related Guides

Complete Canadian Flood Guide

Complete Flood Prevention Guide

Complete Flood Prevention Guide

Click to View

Complete Flood Prevention Guide

Complete Flood Prevention Guide

Complete Flood Prevention Guide

Click to View

The Complete Flood Safety Guide

Flood-Related Infographics & Explainers

Flood-Related Infographics & Explainers

Click to View 

Flood-Related Infographics & Explainers

Flood-Related Infographics & Explainers

Flood-Related Infographics & Explainers

Click to View 

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