Why Use Floodsax

What are FloodSax?

FloodSax alternative sandbags were invented in the UK and almost 3 million have now been sold worldwide.

They are used by many local authorities who find them a far more practical and effective alternative to traditional sandbags to prevent damage from flooding.

This is because when FloodSax are in their dry state before they come into water they resemble large pillowcases so are space-saving to store and last for years – we give a 5 year guarantee but they are vacuum-packed to protect them so will last a lot longer.

When they are immersed in water they expand to resemble traditional sandbags but are easier to handle and build into highly effective, tough flood barriers.

Every home and business needs them because, according to the Environment Agency, more than 5 million homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding – that’s one in six nationwide - and there is always the risk of flash flooding anywhere and at any time. The average cost of flood damage to a home is £30,000 and it’ll be uninhabitable for months, causing untold misery and disruption.

Effective flood defences such as FloodSax alternative sandbags are a very wise investment and incredibly cost-effective.


Here’s how FloodSax work

Build FloodSax into barriers to protect doors from flooding – be that your front door, patio door, garage door or warehouse door.

FloodSax are vacuum-packed in packs of five in easy to carry bags and four packs fit into one cardboard box – that’s the equivalent to 20 traditional sandbags that are heavy to carry and very difficult to store. A box of 20 FloodSax weighs just 21lbs (9.5kilos) and is 55cms by 54cms by 15cms so can easily be carried by one person.

To deploy FloodSax to stop floods, simply immerse the FloodSax in 20 litres of water in a large bucket or tub. You could even use a hosepipe or, if time is really vital, the floodwater itself.

The FloodSax will then quickly expand in a few minutes to weigh 20kg (44lbs). A special gelling polymer inside simply absorbs the water and then keeps it in the FloodSax so it can be used for however long the emergency lasts, which could be several months.

Each row of FloodSax will keep out approximately 6 inches of water and usually two or three rows are enough to keep floodwater out of most homes and businesses. Lay the FloodSax next to one another and then the row on top across the joins below to make it a firm barrier. FloodSax are heavy and tough enough to resist the force of torrential floodwater.

Each FloodSax weighs just under 1lb (.39 kilos or 16 ounces) before it comes into contact with water and is 52cms by 53cms by 1.5cms in size. After it has absorbed the water, it will be about 20cms deep and the same length and width.

You can also use FloodSax to stop water getting into homes and businesses through exterior wall vents which are designed to create an airflow below suspended floors.