Texas Man Once Saved His Home from Flood Using a Solution Known as Aquadam—See How It Worked
Find out how you can save your home using this surprising trick and other flood protection options
After devastating and deadly flash floods hit Texas over the weekend, many people are seeking ways to stay safe inside their homes and protect their property in the event of extreme flooding. This was also the case after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the southeast U.S. last year, causing flood protection to become a popular topic on Reddit. One highly up-voted post recalled a Texas homeowner’s unconventional idea to use AquaDam flood protection back in 2016. Read to learn what an AquaDam is and other ways you can help protect your home from flooding.
AquaDam to the rescue
Back in 2016, while thousands of homes in Brazoria County, Texas were evacuated due to extreme floods, Rosharon homeowner Randy Wagner traveled to Louisiana to purchase an AquaDam to combat the rising waters.
“Not knowing what that level was going to stop at I needed to prepare for something no one had seen,” Wagner told KHOU 11 News, a television station in Houston, TX, about his decision to set up the AquaDam.
Wagner, along with two other men, took several hours to install the AquaDam. The process included filling up 400 feet of 30-inch high tubes made of plastic and fabric with water.
Wagner believes that the $8,300 investment was worth it to avoid over $150,000 in potential water damage repairs.
The Texas homeowner recalled how his neighbors initially made fun of his “crazy,” investment.
“Everybody was kinda going by, laughing at me. But today they are really impressed with this AquaDam,” Wagner said.
Users on Reddit expressed that Wagner should feel proud of his forethought and have a sort of “told you so,” moment towards his dubious neighbors.
What does an AquaDam look like?
Watch how Wagner set up an AquaDam to protect his Texas home here:
What is an AquaDam?
Wagner isn’t the only homeowner to swear by AquaDam. In fact, after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, AquaDam purchases quadrupled.
According to the company website, an AquaDam is a “temporary water-filled cofferdam flood barrier designed to control and divert water.”
Creating a sort of water bladder, an AquaDam contains two watertight inner tubes protected by an outer sleeve of fabric. When filled with water, the inner tubes maintain their shape which works to keep water out.
The website also claims that the product is easier to install than sandbag dikes, another popular form of flood protection, and AquaDams are also reusable, making them a cost-effective solution for homeowners facing repeated flooding risks.
How do AquaDams protect homes from water?
Not only useful during extreme flooding as a result of hurricanes but AquaDams are also used for general protection during rainy seasons or during the winter when rapidly melting snow can lead to inconvenient leaks and flooding.
The AquaDam’s design makes the barrier effective in warding off water reaching up to ¾ of the product’s height—which is fully customizable from 5 to 16 feet tall.
Other forms of home flood protection
If you live in a flood-prone area, being prepared can help protect your home from damage. While AquaDam is an investment that can pay off, other options can be more cost-effective in the short term.
Flex Seal Flood Protection
In this multi-purpose kit, you receive floor protection paste, flood protection liquid, flood protection spray and floor protection tape. The package also comes with a filler tool, caulking gun, paint brush, gloves and safety glasses.
According to the product description, when used as directed, the “Flood Protection products have been independently verified by UL Solutions to hold back 3ft of water for 14 days on gaps up to ½ inch.”
In a 2023 video posted by WFSB 3, an independent expert tested the product on camera and agreed that it works.
Some homeowners on Reddit also confirmed that the Flex Tape was able to minimize damage during a flood.
“Stopped it from coming through my front door crack during Helene,” one user wrote. “But [water] came through the walls and foundation in the end so it didn’t matter. But for what it was for…it worked.”
Another person shared a similar experience. “My neighbor put Flex Seal Tape around his doors and it indeed kept storm surge out, even though it did still come up through the floor,” they commented.
Sandbag barriers
In many cases, sandbags can be extremely helpful to block water from entering a residence. The key is making sure they are used properly to create an effective barrier.
In a 2022 video, the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management shares the steps for using sandbags.
- Seal your door with plastic sheeting or a tarp. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top, securing it with duct tape.
- Prepare the sandbags. Untie each of the bags and fold the flaps over.
- Begin placing sandbags at the seal of the door. Start at one end of the door and lay one row of sandbags. Then work your way back to the other end of the door with a second row of sandbags to increase the height. The pile should be two bags wide by two bags tall.
An important note: You should leave at least one exit point from your home. Instead of piling sandbags up against this door, you create what’s known as a sandbag ring.
To do: Make a semi-circle shape that’s two bags wide and has one layer of bags on top. Leave the area in front of the door clear, however, to ensure you can swing it open as needed.
Yard flood protection
Poor drainage in your yard can lead to everything from soil erosion to a weakened home foundation. Luckily, there are several options available that can help you manage any excess water and prevent flooding, even in less serious rainstorms.
Here are some of the solutions as suggested by the pros at Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage and Lighting:
- Sump Pumps
- Channel or trench drains
- French drains
- Grading your yard
- Dry wells
- Rain Gardens
- Permeable Pavers
- Swales
- Retaining Walls
- Dry Creek Beds
- Berms
- Catch basins
- Retention Ponds
- Vegetative Buffers
- Grass Pavers
To figure out what options work best for your budget and property, contact a professional who can help you take steps to prepare your outdoor space.
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