FDG • October 20, 2020

How to tie your flood barrier into a building or a wall?

 

Flood Defense Group is regularly asked how to tie a flood barrier into a building or a wall while making it water-tight. It is where you butt your flood barriers into a wall or building that you are most likely to get seepage which is why we take great care making these locations as watertight as possible.

This example shows how we used a small strip of plastic sheeting taped to the end of our flood barrier (NOAQ Boxwall in this case) and then to the wall on either side. This is a cheap and easy solution that works for most of our flood barrier tie-ins whether it be a stack of sandbags, the water filled Flood Tube, Muscle Wall, HESCO Bastion or about any of our other flood defense barriers we keep in stock.

Within this example showing how to tie your flood barrier into a building or a wall, we enjoy sharing how quick and effective a simple strip of plastic secured with Gorilla Tape can be in sealing up a flood barrier tie-in. Whether you are looking at where you can purchase flood defense barriers in the USA, are looking for water filled flood barriers for your home, or need something bigger like HESCO Barriers for sale, we can help. Alternatively, if you would appreciate speaking about your home-made flood defenses, we are happy to help in any way we can as our focus lies in helping to prevent loss associated with flooding.

Here are a few things we have learned about tying a flood defense barrier into a wall, a building, or an alternate flood defense system.

1) Plastic Thickness
We will regularly cover our flood barriers entirely with a thicker 6mm plastic sheeting for added protection against under-seepage or when working surfaces are porous, erosive, and/or uneven. This thicker plastic sheeting performs well against damage from debris floating in the water, airborne hurricane debris, and punctures or tears during construction as well as projects that may span for long distances and could be miles long. Simply put, it is a more robust plastic and easy to work with.
HOWEVER…..one of our customers on a project in Charleston, South Carolina was trying to protect a door from flooding using this same NOAQ Boxwall product and choose to overlay it with a much thinner plastic which was similar to the thickness of a garbage bag and we were impressed with what we saw. In this case, the customer had stamped concrete at the base and deep grout lines on the brickwork of his home. He knew that stamped concrete and deep grout lines would be potential routes for water to intrude onto the dry side of the barrier and used the thinner plastic for the tie-in which he felt would form a better seal to these areas as water pressure built up on the ‘wet side’ of his barrier. This was a great idea and prove to be extremely effective.
Summary – We prefer using a thicker 6mm plastic during flood defense projects because it is reliably strong and the forces at play from the weather and water can be destructive but we cannot deny how effectively a thinner gauge plastic sheeting (like a painters ‘drop sheet’ or a plastic trash bag) can seal up potential seepage routes like stamped concrete, grout lines in brick, paver stones, and similar surfaces. Plastic sheeting is a fantastic tool to make a flood barrier watertight and your individual flood defense scenario may drive your selection of plastic sheeting as desired/required.

2) Secure Plastic to Wet vs Dry Surfaces
In this video example, we used Gorilla Tape to secure the plastic sheeting to the end of our NOAQ Boxwall flood barrier and the brick wall as well as to the ground at the base of the flood barrier. We taped around the entire perimeter of the plastic sheeting where water could come in contact with it. If we are using plastic sheeting and can tape it into place while conditions are dry, that’s fantastic!! Sometimes, working surfaces are wet and tape does not want to stick. Within the video, we discuss the ease of working with ‘sand-socks’ which are simply long socks we filled with sand. These are lightweight, easy to work with, don’t fall apart, and inexpensive to make. Putting these sand socks or even larger sandbags onto your plastic to keep it anchored down when surfaces are wet is generally extremely effective. If you are working in a high wind environment, it may be wise to always have a few sandbags on hand to keep plastic anchored to the ground or the wall it is tying into.

3) Never Put Plastic Sheeting Under a Flood Barrier
A common mistake people will make it to put their entire flood barrier on top of plastic. If building a sandbag wall for example, it is important to cover it with plastic sheeting or it will leak quite badly. We suggest putting the plastic under a single row of the bags to anchor it down and simply fold the plastic up and over your sandbag wall. This technique works great but we have heard of multiple cases where sandbags or flood barriers were built on top of plastic sheeting entirely. The problem is that plastic has an extremely low friction value and as water rises and the water pressure starts pushing against your flood barrier which is sitting on slippery plastic, the entire wall could be pushed and create a breach in your barrier. Summary, plastic is an extremely effective at making a flood barrier watertight but do not rest your flood barrier entirely on plastic.

DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO REQUEST?
Similar with this video showing how to tie your flood barrier into a building or a wall, if you have a particular aspect of flood defense operations that you are interested in learning more about, please let us know. We enjoy experimenting with our entire array of flood barriers and when possible, try to create some helpful material in the form of videos and photos to better answer any questions you may have. Whether you are interested in learning more about our water filled flood barriers, water diversion tubes, flood defense landscaping or our larger stackable barriers like HESCO Bastion, let us know. Maybe you are searching for the most effective way to protect garage doors, pedestrian doors, or windows from flooding….we can help!! We want to help and enjoy helping so please reach out anytime!

www.flooddefensegroup.com

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Table of Contents Why Storm Season is More Dangerous How Our Flood Barriers Offer Stronger Defense Flood Wall Panels for Reliable Storm Protection Our Residential Flood Protection Solutions The Bottom Line Frequently Asked Questions Why Storm Season is More Dangerous Storm season is becoming more intense and unpredictable across the country. With stronger hurricanes, heavier rainfall, and rising sea levels, floods are affecting areas that never used to face such risks. This change is not temporary. According to NOAA, flooding remains one of the most damaging natural disasters in the United States every year. We see how these challenges affect homeowners, businesses, and entire communities. Every season, families lose their homes, and companies face costly shutdowns because of water damage. Our goal is to help people prepare before the storm arrives. That’s why we continue to design, build, and supply systems that work fast and perform under pressure. The more prepared we are, the more we reduce the impact. It is no longer enough to rely on outdated methods like sandbags. Flood conditions have changed, and the tools we use must evolve as well. How Our Flood Barriers Offer Stronger Defense We have worked with property owners across the country and seen firsthand how fast water can rise. That’s why we’ve made our barriers faster to deploy, easier to store, and more reliable in real conditions. When you get a flood warning, there’s no time to waste. Our systems are designed to go up quickly so you can protect your space right away. Compared to traditional sandbags, our flood barriers provide a better seal and are much easier to install. You don’t need a team or heavy lifting. Many of our systems, like our water-filled and air-filled barriers, can be set up by just one or two people. That means faster response and better coverage in less time. We also build our barriers to last. Floods are not one-time events, especially in high-risk areas. That’s why reusability is a key part of what we offer. Our barriers are strong enough to stand up to repeated use, season after season, without losing their protective power. And because different properties have different needs, we provide systems that adjust to fit. Whether it’s a small doorway or a wide building front, we make sure there’s a solution that works. Flood Wall Panels for Reliable Storm Protection Among our most trusted products are our flood wall panels. These are durable, easy to install, and built for long-term protection. We’ve seen them perform in homes, commercial buildings, and critical infrastructure sites with great success. Take our Hammerhead Aluminum Flood Wall System , for example. It’s a strong, dependable barrier that uses solid aluminum planks to form a tight seal. This system is ideal for locations that need heavy-duty protection against powerful floodwaters. It fits custom openings and stays in place, even during long storms. We also offer the Mayim Flood Barrier, which features a modular, interlocking design. It’s lightweight and easy to stack, yet offers excellent water resistance. It’s great for areas that need full perimeter protection or L-shaped coverage. Both systems have been used across the country in real storm events. From public works projects in coastal towns to residential homes in Florida, our flood wall panels are proving to be a reliable first line of defense. These panels are also reusable, meaning they can be stored and deployed as needed, saving costs over time. For families or property managers in flood-prone areas, this is an investment that brings real peace of mind. Our Residential Flood Protection Solutions We believe every property deserves the right level of flood defense. That’s why our range of flood protection solutions is one of the largest in the country. We don’t rely on a single product. We offer systems that work with different ground conditions, property sizes, and risk levels. Some homes may need a portable water-filled barrier. Others benefit more from a strong panel system. We have both, and more. From soil-filled barriers to flexible wall systems, we design solutions that match the situation. We understand that flood preparation starts with knowledge. That’s why we help our customers choose the system that fits their property best. Every home is different. Some have low entrances, while others face runoff from nearby streets. That’s why we take the time to match the right solution to the risk. Our residential customers rely on these systems to protect not just their buildings, but their belongings and families. And because these products are reusable, they’re ready for future seasons. With a proper plan in place and our equipment ready to deploy, families can feel more secure when storms approach. The Bottom Line We provide more than just barriers. We provide security. As flood events become more frequent, fast action and strong defenses are essential. Our wall panels offer a dependable shield against water damage. Along with our residential flood protection solutions , we help homeowners and businesses stay ahead of the storm. At Flood Defense Group, we believe in offering the right product for each situation. That’s why our lineup includes soil-filled, water-filled, air-filled, and anchored systems. And with products like the Hammerhead and Mayim barriers, we bring advanced technology to where it matters most. By choosing our systems, you’re not just preparing for one storm. You’re preparing for every storm that might come. And we’ll be here to support you with the best tools, real expertise, and tested protection that works when you need it most. Frequently Asked Questions