Sandbags

• Unfilled sandbags and a supply of sand can be purchased from some DIY stores and Builders Merchants, but remember if there is a flood in your area demand may exceed supply as people rush to buy them. The Council may be able to supply some sandbags in an emergency, but they will have a limited supply.
  
  
• If you have not purchased sandbags and sand in advance, you can use alternatives such as pillow cases or refuse sacks and fill them with garden soil.

How to fill and position sandbags

• Unless you have access to a sandbag filling machine, this is a two person job: one to hold the bag and one to fill.
  
  
• Sand is abrasive - both people should wear protective gloves.
  
  
• Do not fill bags more than half full. Remember that they can get heavy quickly, so do not over fill, or fill them too far away from where you need to position them.
  
  
• It is not necessary to tie the end of the bags.
  
  
• Remove any debris from the area where the bags are to be placed.
  
  
• Place the half filled bags lengthways and parallel to the direction of the water flow. Tuck the opened end under the filled half of the bag and position it pointing into the water flow.
  
  
• Place bags in layers. Like a brick wall, make sure that in the next layer each bag overlaps the one below by half.
  
  
• Stamp bags firmly into place to eliminate gaps and create a tight seal.

Pyramid placement method

Additional waterproofing