Water is essential for many different things, but it’s certainly not your friend when it enters your home unexpectedly! Flood barriers for doors can provide homeowners protection against rising flood waters in the event of a storm or overflow from nearby bodies of water. Your home is most likely one of your most valued assets so if approaching storms or flash flood warnings send you into panic-mode you want to protect the interior as much as possible.
Did you know floods are one of the most common and costly natural disasters? Unlike other natural disasters, repairs and cleanup following a flood have long-term consequences for homeowners. Repairing water damage can cost you a substantial amount of money. Even as much as an inch of water inside your home can be detrimental. Flooding frequently occurs as a result from hurricanes, several days of sustained rain, or thawing snow. A flash flood happens suddenly often resulting from fast rising water along a stream, river, or low-lying area.
Based on current data reported from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) natural disasters have accounted for millions of dollars in damage in the U.S. In 2020 the record for tropical storms was broken from the previous year with 30 named tropical storms. Billion-dollar inland flooding events have increased significantly over the past few years. The reason behind these flooding events have resulted from heavy rainfall due to changes in climate. Warmer temperatures have prompted the atmosphere to retain higher water vapor leading to an increased potential for extreme heavy rainfalls.
Learn how to prepare for flooding and ways you can protect your home with anti-flood products and flood barriers for doors.
Best Flood Barrier for Doors / Tested & Certified
Dam Easy : Door Dam / Fits Door Openings from 30.7” – 43.3”
We review this Dam Easy flood barrier later in the article. You can skip directly to that section if you’d like. Here are a few highlights as to what makes this door flood barrier unique:
- Built-in pneumatic pump inflates a rubber tube around the outside of the barrier, creating an air-tight seal. You can use the integrated air pressure gauge to let you know when the seal good.
- Can adjust to fit door openings from 30.7” – 43.3” and up to 28″ high
- Install in less than 5 minutes
VIDEO | Impressive Design by Dam Easy / Best Flood Barrier for Doors
How to Prepare for Flooding
If you live in a low-lying area or your home is in a flood zone, making necessary preparations will help you avoid permanent water damage to your home and valuables. Consider making renovations by elevating or reinforcing your home if you live in a floodplain to minimize the effects from water damage.
- Hire an electrician or professional to move electrical outlets and wiring to one-foot above flood level.
- If you have a basement use a sealing product to waterproof walls and points of entry.
- Install a sump pump for removing standing water and keep a battery-powered backup.
- Hire a plumber to make necessary installations for back-up or backflow valves if not currently in place. This will prevent floodwater from entering your home in the worst imaginable way.
- Seal up cracks or gaps in your foundation to prevent water from seeping in. An inexpensive mortar or masonry caulk will provide temporary protection, however, you will need a more permanent fix if seeping water is a continuous problem in your home.
- Install a flood sensor in areas that may be prone to flooding in high-water situations such as basements. Many security systems offer these with their systems as an added measure of protection. Flood sensors can detect and alert you to leaks before significant water damage occurs.
Clear out drains, gutters, and downspouts. If the weather forecast is predicting heavy storms or rainfall with the chance for flooding, overflow from these can lead to more damage to your home. Remove debris from gutters and drains to help the water flow out and away from your home.
Tiger Dam : Residential Flood Barrier Kit
MADE IN THE US — Prevents water from entering your doorways.
FEATURES:
- 48 inches long x 12 inches wide x 12 inches high
- Fill with standard garden hose, takes several minutes to fill depending on water pressure and can be drained within seconds when opened
- Made from industrial strength poly
- Mini Tiger Box can be used during all seasons (can be frozen).
- Simply empty when done with cap off, hang to dry on garage hook. Disassemble and fold up in bag for easy storage and re-use when needed.
OVERVIEW —
Made by US Flood Control and made in the USA. This is their first product for homeowners. The company makes large-scale industrial flooding barriers and portable dams to deal with the worst-case scenarios. In other words, they know what they’re doing.
One of the unique aspects of this design is you simply use your hose to fill the flood barrier, which is made from industrial strength poly. Whereas sandbags use sand to give them weight this Residential Tiger Dam barrier uses water to give it weight. It’s a simple design but very effective. Sandbags are an outdated way to keep flood water out but it’s still the most common form of flood protection, especially for homeowners.
TigerDam makes excellent products trusted by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and many others. Learn more about the company.
Hurricane Prep
Have an evacuation plan in place in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Approaching storms such as hurricanes and tropical storms can bring dangerous storm surges that no amount of preparation can prevent. Stay tuned into weather alerts and updates from local authorities on flooding and flash flood warnings that warrant mandatory evacuation.
To help protect your home and valuables here are some steps you can take :
Gather outside items that could be blown away from strong winds or swept off in a flood such as lawn furniture, bicycles, outside toys, gardening tools, and equipment. Store anything and everything you can indoors, in the garage, or in a shed. If you can’t store them inside, secure them by anchoring them down to something solid and sturdy such as a large tree or building.
In case of power surges, cut off your propane tank if your home has one. Cut off gas, electricity, and water before evacuating your home or if you see downed power lines. Unplug appliances and elevate above flood levels if possible.
If flooding conditions do not warrant an emergency evacuation and you are planning on staying home, consider filling up bathtubs and sinks with tap water. Sometimes water services may go out or become contaminated from floodwater so it’s a good idea to plan ahead to have clean water for use in case this occurs.
When planning for evacuation the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests the ‘Five 5 P’s of Evacuation’ on things to take with you: People, Prescriptions, Paper (important documents), Personal Needs, and Priceless items.
Construct barriers to prevent floodwater from entering buildings or your home by using sandbags, building flood-walls, or purchasing a doorway water barrier.
Sand Bags
Oftentimes communities will offer residents free sandbags in preparation for an approaching storm or when flooding is expected. These offer some protection against flooding when used appropriately. The use of sandbags is mainly to divert moving water as well as debris to minimize water damage. There are different ways that you can use them for a multitude of reasons, but if not stacked appropriately they won’t serve their purpose effectively.
Sand is the most appropriate material to fill your bags with as it provides a dense barrier to block water molecules from getting through. If sand is not readily available soil or a similar dense substance will work as well. Fill your sandbags just slightly more than half-full, but not all the way. Bags are much easier to handle if they are no more than 40 pounds when filled, although this may vary depending on the size of the bag. Various sand bag sizes are available, but typical bags for sand-filling are 24-26 inches long by 14 inches wide. Bags will also be easier to shape and form to create an effective wall against flood waters when they are not filled completely.
When you are creating a sandbag barrier, it is best to keep it to just two layers. The exception to this would be if you were planning to create a pyramid barrier. The barrier should be slightly wider at the base than height to give it more stability. Complete one layer at a time and tamp down each bag into place You can do this by stepping on top of each bag to compact it. The tighter the bags are packed together, the less chance of water seeping through. As you place the bags for the next layer, keep staggering the seams as you would if you were laying down bricks.
To protect buildings from water getting in where the water levels are expected to rise you would stack the sandbags against the building. For sliding glass doors, windows, vents or other entries you can create a seal to prevent water intrusion by placing a plastic sheet (such as visqueen or plastic lining) on the ground and up against the wall then stack the sandbags on top. If you will be creating a barrier around buildings be sure to allow a path for the water and debris to flow between the buildings.
Sandbags offer a temporary fix, but they can be heavy to move and they are not long-lasting after enduring a flood. It’s also important to remember these are designed to significantly reduce the amount of water that seeps in, but do not create a water-tight seal. Flood barriers for doors can provide more security than sandbags and are easy to store and reuse.
Read our indepth guide on : Sandbags for Flooding
Flood Barriers for Doors
A doorway water barrier offers superior flood protection over sandbags as they are designed to withstand the weight against moving water and long-lasting. These devices are also much easier to maneuver, install, and allow you to maintain access to your entryway if needed while in place. Flood barriers can also be adjusted to provide a custom fit creating a water-tight seal. They are the more expensive choice in water-retaining solutions; however, these will last you much longer over time and offer better versatility over alternative options.
Factors such as exposure to UV light, humidity, extreme temperatures, and continuous contact with flood water are all factors that can deteriorate sandbags making them less effective over time. Flood barriers are easy to remove and will maintain their protective properties when stored properly. A doorway water barrier is the only option that offers a completely water-tight anti-flood solution with no gaps, holes or hinges to allow water through.
Best Value Flood Barrier for Doors ➤Quick Dam FloodGate
Quick Dam is a leading brand for flooding supplies
Features :
- Entryway flood protection for up to 26in high
- Maintains entryway access while in use
- Expandable steel jack & frame adjusts to fit openings from 25in to 50in
- Outer neoprene sleeve creates a water tight seal
- Installs in minutes with no alterations or equipment needed
- Use indoors for overflows, construction & sprinkler mishaps
- Use outdoors for storm prep & protection
- Patented & Kitemark Tested & Certified
- Use Flood Gate Cart or storage & quick deployment
OVERVIEW —
The Quick Dam Flood Gate offers portable flood protection for a variety of uses from heavy rainfalls, tropical storms and hurricanes, swelling rivers, and more. These are ideal for use by property managers, businesses, hotels and more and will even block saltwater without becoming compromised. These are made with a neoprene sleeve that forms a watertight seal to keep water out up to 26” high. They are constructed with a 1-in steel tube frame and steel plates that support the gate while taking on the weight of the incoming water. An expandable steel scissor jack on the backside can be adjusted for a secure fit for entryways. You can step over the gate once installed so you can maintain entryway access without having to remove the gate.
These gates are quick and easy to install without the need for alterations or special equipment and can easily be done by one person. Simply expand the jack to seal the sides and secure the bolts at the bottom. Included with the gate is an expansion tool and ratchet wrench along with easy-to-follow instructions for setup within minutes. If you are wondering how well these will stand up to rising water, they have been developed, tested and patented for Kitemark Certified protection against flood water. They can be used inside or outside, although they must be installed so that the neoprene side is facing the incoming water to provide a water-tight seal and prevent seeping.
Quick Dam Flood Gates can be used to prevent flood water from entering any entryway they will fit including residential, commercial, retail, and more.There are 5 different-sized gates to choose from ranging between 25” to 50” to fit your entryway, each adjusting up to 5inches wide. For large entryways that are wider than 50-inches there are stanchion sets available that allow you to attach multiple units together. You can combine flood gates to suit any size doorway from sliding glass doors to garage doors. To determine the right size you will need, measure the width of the entryway. The gates come in the following sizes:
- QDFG25 — Width = 25 – 30” / FloodGate
- QDFG30 — Width = 30”- 35” / FloodGate
- QDFG35 — Width = 35”- 40” / FloodGate
- QDFG40 — Width = 40”- 45” / FloodGate
- QDFG45 — Width = 45”- 50” / FloodGate
Quick Dam Flood Barrier : For Low water level / Stackable
Features :
- Water Activated Flood Bags, Rated #1 in Flood Control
- Grows to 3.5in high in minutes, just get them wet
- Use to control, contain & divert flood water
- Ready to use, no sand or labor needed
- Compact & Lightweight, stores away until needed
- Use to protect doorways, garages, erosion control & more
- Use indoors or out
- Be Prepared & Be Protected- Keep Quick Dams on hand
- Units grow to: 12″ width x 24″ long x 3.5″ tall
- Do NOT use with salt water, chemical reaction causes deflation
OVERVIEW —
Quick Dam offers water-activated flood barriers that stop water before it gets to your home or business with stackable solutions for low water levels. These barriers are designed to absorb, contain, and divert floodwater with lengths ranging in 5-feet, 10-feet, and 17-feet long. Oncoming water gets absorbed by the flood barriers which swell and gel to create a durable barrier solution. These barriers are safe to use made with non-toxic and non-hazardous materials. They can be reused for future use once water evaporates and shrinks back down to its original size. You can leave them in place for ongoing protection – Quick Dam flood barriers will remain activated for up to several weeks until the absorbed water completely evaporates. They will decompose over time providing an environment-friendly alternative to other types of non-biodegradable options.
When activated these barriers grow and expand up to 3.5-feet high within 10 minutes. The 5-foot barriers will absorb up to 4 gallons, 10-foot barriers up to 8 gallons, and 17-foot barriers up to 13.5 gallons of water. To create a flood-wall, use multiple barriers and stack on top of one another to increase height in a pyramid formation. Unlike traditional sandbags, these barriers have a featured built-in wedge that prevents them from rolling.
These barriers might not be suitable for all flooding situations. They do not offer protection when used against saltwater due to a chemical reaction that will cause deflation.
Dam Easy Door Dam / Flood Barrier for Doors
Features :
- Can be easily installed in under 5 minutes
- Give you peace of mind that you can quickly and easily secure your home in case of emergency
- Protects the value of your home and possessions and stops your insurance premium from rising
- Extension pole allows you to connect multiple barriers together to cover larger areas
- no frames required
- no silicone needed
- no hazardous additions to your home
- easy to install and remove
OVERVIEW —
This Flood Barrier Door Dam offers more secure and practical protection than sandbags against flooding. The barrier is easy to install in just 3 steps and is just as easy to remove without any special expertise. There are no special tools required, no caulking or silicone necessary, and won’t add hazardous materials to your home. These flood barriers for doors contain a main body piece and two wings that extend to secure in place to seal off your entrance. It uses a unique pneumatic pump action mechanism to seal off flood water and protect your home.
VIDEO | See the Dam Easy hold back water with ease (Buy on Amazon)
The Door Dam extends to cover widths between 780mm to 1100mm and 720mm high. If the entryway you need to block off is larger, extension poles are available to purchase separately with additional Dam Easy Door Dam flood barriers to connect multiple gates.
To install the barrier, place it in the reveal of your entryway and extend the side panels. A reverse button located on the ratchet handle of the gate controls the movement of the side wings. A patented, inflatable rubber tube surrounds the extended frame to create a water-tight seal. There is a built-in air pump that inflates this tube when manually activated once the wings are extended in place.
For connecting multiple units using the extension pole you will need to core a 55mm-thick by 160mm hole for the metal pole to slide into. The extension pole can then be clipped in place within seconds. Install barriers and extensions at the first threat of a storm or flood to protect homes and buildings from water damage.
Visit the Dam Easy site to learn more about their heavy-duty flood barrier for doors.
And lastly, although this portable dam by Quick Dam isn’t specifically for a door or entryway, it’s actually the ultimate solution for widespread flood water. You can protect your entire home with this industrial-grade portable dam. It’s an impressive option if you expect serious flooding.
Best Portable Flood Dam
Quick Dam: Water Gate
The Water Gate can stop water up to 5-feet high. It’s easy to setup and get in place before the flood waters arrive. All you do is roll the portable dam where you need it. It comes in a wide range of sizes, from 6-inches to 17-feet, all the way up to to 60-inches x 50-feet.
The design is fully flexible and modular. You can connect multiple units together to create an unlimited length. You can also curve this around any structure, like your house, and completely surround what you want to protect. This design provides excellent protection for homeowners, farmers, or for local government. It can scale to your needs.
Of course, the they are fairly expensive for most homeowners but considering what they will do for you, I think it’s well worth the cost. The Water Gate is capable of protecting everything inside your home, including your home itself.
Features:
- Control, contain, & divert water before it becomes a problem
- Portable Dam
- Roll out in the path of problem water and rises and opens from water pressure
- Quick & easy to deploy with minimal labor
- Compact and requires minimal storage
- Made from ultra strong PVC coated polyester fabric, which is resistant to abrasion
- Galvanized metal plate ballast weights held in polyester netting & sewn to water barrier
- Reusable for many years
- Flexible and forms to any surface
- Protection heights from 6 in to 5 ft high
- The Water-Gate is 4 times wider than its height, giving it more retaining power
- Connect units together with heavy duty hook & loop design to achieve desired length
- Requires no site preparation, little or no additional material and no permanent installation.
- FM Approved
- US Army Corps of Engineers Tested and Approved
- Patented and sold in over 26 countries.
Flood Insurance: Do You Need It? Is it worth the cost?
Depending on where you live, you may need or be advised to purchase flooding insurance if you live in a flood zone. Many mortgage lenders will require it per their policy when purchasing a home that is in a flood plain. Many homeowners are shocked to learn their homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood protection after experiencing water damage.
Flood insurance isn’t required if your home is not located in a flood plain; however, if you live in an area that is high-risk for natural disasters or potential flooding it might be a good idea to have.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the cost of a flood insurance policy averages around $700 a year. Costs will vary greatly based on the location of your home. Depending on the elevation, costs can increase to as much as $2,000 or greater – something to consider before buying a new home.
Some key questions to ask yourself if you are considering whether purchasing flood insurance is worth it should be:
- Has your property ever experienced flooding before?
- Are you located near a flood plain?
- Does your home have a basement?
- Can you afford coverage for flood insurance?
- Can you afford repair costs from flood damage without flood insurance protection?
Another factor to keep in mind when purchasing flood insurance is coverage amounts. Consider the costs incurred from water damage. Policies will cover up to the value of your home, but National Flood Insurance Programs put a cap on limits to $250,000. This means if the value of your home exceeds this limit, you may be looking at paying any remaining costs out of pocket. Private flood insurance providers may offer higher limits.
There is typically a 30-day waiting period from the purchase date for flood insurance to go into effect with a couple of exceptions. The reason for this is to deter fraud. Insurance providers aim to deter people from purchasing a policy at the threat of an approaching storm in order to collect a claim and drop the policy afterward.
While the costs of coverage might seem steep, especially for that waterfront property you desire, it can be a huge benefit in the event of a flooding situation. If you have a commercial property installing flood-proof systems such as flood barriers for doors may help to bring your rates down to save money on flood insurance.
