No more hauling heavy sandbags
These are ideal for anyone who wants to stop nuisance water or minor flooding without the back-breaking labor of traditional sandbags. They are incredibly effective at diverting water and store compactly, though they take a long time to dry out if they get fully saturated.
What We Liked 👍
- Lightweight and easy to store
- Expands rapidly when hitting water
- No sand or heavy labor needed
- Effective at diverting unwanted water
- Durable enough for repeated use
What Could Be Better 👎
- Takes forever to dry out
- Not for use with salt water
- Can float if not weighted down
A sensible way to keep your floors dry
If you have ever spent a rainy night frantically moving buckets while wondering why you did not prepare better, you know the drill. These
Quick Dam barriers are about as common-sense as it gets. You keep them in a closet, they weigh next to nothing, and when the water starts creeping toward your garage or basement door, you just toss them down.
They work by soaking up water and swelling into a solid barrier. It beats the heck out of filling heavy sandbags that just end up rotting in the corner of your shed anyway. They are not a permanent levee, but for the average homeowner dealing with runoff or a minor leak, they are a solid piece of insurance to have tucked away.
Features that actually pull their weight
These barriers are made of a super absorbent powder that gels up once it meets water, growing to about three and a half inches high. They are flexible enough to shape around corners or doorways, and because they come in a pack of two, you can overlap them to get a decent seal. Just do yourself a favor and put a few bricks or weights on them if you expect a decent flow of water, otherwise, they might decide to go for a swim on their own.
The final word on water defense
If you are a homeowner prone to minor flooding or leaky appliances, these are worth every penny for the peace of mind. Just skip them if you live on the coast and are dealing with salt water, as that messes with the chemistry, and be prepared to let them sit outside for a week or more to dry out after a big event. For everyone else, keep a few on hand and save your back the trouble of digging for sand.
