Research from the University of Hull in the UK suggests that using tape can be a more effective and affordable way to protect homes from flooding compared to traditional sandbags. The University conducted tests at its Property Flood Resilience lab to see how different temporary solutions could prevent floodwater from entering houses. The study, commissioned by Flood Re, revealed that flexible synthetic rubber tape blocked 99% of water when used on an unprotected door. Duct tape was also effective, reducing leakage by 97-98%, making it both affordable and easy to use.
Other types of tape, such as aluminum and yellow plastic tape, worked better than sandbags for sealing a typical front door. Unlike sandbags, which can get dirty and are hard to manage, tape is easy to throw away after use. While synthetic sandless sandbags perform well, they can be costly and challenging to use. The Environment Agency estimates that around 4.6 million people in the UK are at risk of surface water flooding, which is the fastest-growing flood risk for homes. The findings were shared during Flood Action Week, highlighting practical steps that people can take to protect their homes from flood damage.
The research shows that simpler and cheaper products can be more effective than sandbags. It emphasizes the importance of being prepared when bad weather approaches, suggesting that having the right tools and knowledge can significantly improve home safety. Even the least effective tape tested managed to cut leakage by 80%, while sandbags only reduced it by 70%.
Tape is lighter, easier to store, and does not break down like sandbags do. The research tested various methods to safeguard doors against floodwaters up to two feet high, focusing on the kind of low-level flooding that affected Hull in 2007, damaging over 8,600 homes and 1,300 businesses. The tests included six types of commonly used doors, and they found that the way a door opens impacts its effectiveness; a standard outward-opening door cut leakage by 74% compared to inward-opening doors before any additional protection was applied. Researchers discovered that applying tape on the outside of the door yielded much better results than applying it on the inside.
The research offers immediate advantages for homeowners by showing that something as simple as tape can greatly lessen the impact of flooding.
Sources:
Source: Good News Network, by Good News Network