Flood barriers are the first line of defence against incoming floodwaters. What are the modern alternatives to sandbags? We explain the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, as well as what to look for when choosing the right system to protect your property from flooding.
Sandbags are among the oldest and simplest flood protection solutions. Used for years in emergency situations, they quickly create a temporary barrier against water ingress. 
They are readily available, inexpensive and can be used quickly by people without specialist training. Sandbags can be deployed on almost any terrain and do not require sophisticated tools to install. However, there are limitations to this method. Stacking sandbags, especially on a large scale, takes a considerable amount of time and material, and requires significant manpower. Furthermore, once saturated with water, the bags can move or leak, reducing their effectiveness when the water level recedes too slowly. Moreover, the bags tend to become contaminated after a flood event, making them difficult to reuse and creating a disposal problem.
Portable flood barriers provide a modern approach to flood protection, offering an effective, fast and flexible solution to combat the elements. Unlike sandbags, portable flood barriers are easy to install and have a much faster response time, which is a priority in situations where water levels rise suddenly. An example of this type of barrier is the Exflooder sleeve, which is made from triple-layer PVC-coated polyester fabric, giving it exceptional strength and resistance to both mechanical and UV damage.
PVC fabric barriers are easy to install – simply lay them out in the area at risk of flooding and then fill them with water. The process takes much less time than laying sandbags and does not require any special equipment or training. This makes portable flood barriers, the Exflooder, ideal for individuals and organisations that need to respond quickly to unforeseen flood situations.
Another advantage of this type of barrier is its compact size and portability. When empty, they take up little space, making them easy to store and transport to the incident site. Furthermore, their flexible design allows them to adapt to uneven terrain, providing a better seal and more effective protection. The ability to combine segments enables the length and shape of the barrier to be customised to the specific needs of each property and flood-prone area.
However, like any solution, portable PVC flood barriers have their limitations. Although they are durable, their stability can be reduced in areas with very rocky or uneven ground, and there is also the possibility (although very rare) of mechanical damage.
Pneumatic flood barriers are another popular solution. This type of barrier is filled with air and is typically combined with a membrane-coated fabric. It conforms to uneven terrain, and when floodwater reaches the barrier, its weight anchors the product to the ground. Pneumatic flood barriers have several significant advantages: they are quick to install and do not require heavy equipment, and once the threat has passed, they can be easily dismantled and stored for future use. However, their disadvantage is their limited resistance to mechanical damage, which can be a problem in areas with sharp objects or challenging terrain.
Portable plastic barriers are another modern alternative for flood protection. They are particularly useful where water threatens industrial facilities or infrastructure, and the proper positioning of plastic barriers allows water to be safely diverted into drainage systems. These barriers are also used to control water flow at weirs, allowing them to be partially blocked, which can be an important factor in managing water levels in rivers and canals.
However, in the case of strong waves or areas with uneven surfaces, portable barriers can be less stable and require additional reinforcement, even if only with sandbags or other heavy objects, to prevent them from moving. On the other hand, the advantage of these barriers is that they can be erected and dismantled quickly. Once flood control measures are complete, they can be easily dismantled, cleaned and stored for reuse.
Portable aluminium flood barriers are highly resistant to corrosion and weather. Aluminium is a strong and weather-resistant material, ensuring a long service life for these barriers, while their light weight allows for easy transport and quick installation without the need for heavy equipment.
These systems consist of robust, modular panels that can be installed in doors, windows, vents or other larger spaces particularly vulnerable to flooding. The panels can be easily adjusted to fit different building openings. They are mounted on fixed guides or frames, allowing the panels to be quickly and easily installed in the event of a flood emergency. Additionally, the modular design of these systems allows the size and number of panels to be adapted to the specific needs of the building. This means they can be installed in individual doors as well as along entire building walls. However, it is important to note that the installation of the fixed frames on which the panels are mounted may require modifications to the building, resulting in additional costs and installation work.
Unlike many other types of barriers, these barriers do not require additional fill materials such as water or sand. Their design utilises the pressure of the floodwater itself, meaning they are automatically stabilised by the forces acting on them during flooding. As a result, the higher the water level, the more the barrier is pressed against the ground, making it more effective in protecting against incoming water.
These barriers also have a modular design that allows the length of the barrier to be adapted to specific needs. They can easily be extended or shortened depending on the size of the threat. Additionally, once the threat has passed, the barriers can be folded up and stored.
Although this type of barrier is lightweight and easy to handle, it can be difficult to maintain stability on very uneven terrain or where the ground is extremely rocky. Furthermore, this barrier may be less effective in areas subject to intense and violent water inflow, particularly if there are strong waves. In such conditions, more permanent and heavier structures, such as water-filled barriers, may prove more effective.
Flood barriers filled with soil or other loose material can also provide a solid barrier to incoming water. Although this technique may appear primitive, it is effective and relatively inexpensive in many situations, particularly in rural areas.
Soil-filled barriers can be tailored to specific terrains and topographical requirements, and their size can be varied according to the amount of soil available and the level of flood risk. This means that the barrier can be laid out in sections of any length, from protecting small buildings from flooding to covering large areas.
Despite these advantages, there are significant disadvantages to soil-filled barriers. First and foremost, they are time-consuming and labour-intensive to construct, making them less than ideal in situations where a rapid response to a sudden rise in water levels is required.
What are the costs associated with investing in modern flood barriers? It all depends on the chosen solution and its size. It is important to note that modern flood barriers, such as portable PVC barriers or aluminium modules, may be more expensive at the time of purchase, but their durability and ease of installation and removal will significantly reduce running costs. Unlike traditional sandbags, which must be disposed of after each use, modern systems can be used repeatedly without the need to purchase new sandbags. In addition, their rapid assembly and disassembly reduce manpower costs and emergency response times. Furthermore, the ease of storage and transport of such barriers reduces the costs associated with their logistics. As a result, although the initial investment is higher, the long-term savings make such solutions a more cost-effective choice, especially for institutions and companies operating in areas subject to regular flooding.
Once you understand the types of flood barriers available and how they can be used to protect against destructive elements, it is time to choose the one that best suits your current needs. Before making a decision, consider answering the following questions:
What else should be considered when choosing a flood barrier? One of the most important factors is the location and nature of the area where you intend to use a flood barrier. The type of ground, terrain and distance from the flood-prone area will significantly impact your choice of solution. For example, in areas with soft soil or a flat surface, flexible flood barriers such as the Exflooder sleeve may be ideal as they adapt to the terrain. Conversely, in rocky or very rugged areas, more permanent and stable solutions, such as modular aluminium barriers, may prove more effective due to their superior strength and stability.
Response time is also crucial. In emergency situations, it is beneficial to choose solutions that can be rapidly installed and deployed. Traditional methods, such as sandbags, may not be adequate due to the time required to make them watertight. In such cases, portable flood barriers that can be quickly set up and filled with water are more effective. In areas where water levels can rise swiftly, the speed of barrier installation can be critical to the success of flood protection.
Budget is another important consideration when choosing a flood barrier. The cost of purchasing, installing and maintaining a barrier can vary considerably depending on the solution chosen. Traditional methods, such as sandbags, are relatively inexpensive but require significant labour and materials, which can increase costs in the long term. In contrast, modern solutions such as modular barriers or flexible PVC sleeves may be more expensive to purchase, but their durability and ease of use can help reduce running costs.
A final, but equally important, factor is the availability of human and technological resources. The choice of barrier needs to be tailored to the number of people available to install it, the availability of equipment and the level of technology required for installation or maintenance.
As recent events in Poland, and also in neighbouring countries, have shown, floods not only threaten health and life but also cause unimaginable material damage. However, it is possible to protect yourself effectively against the force of the elements. In addition to sandbags, it is worth investing in modern methods of protection – any of the solutions described above will do the job properly. If you have any questions about the Exflooder flood barrier, please do not hesitate to contact us.
