When is a sandbag not just a sandbag … when it’s a FloodSax.
For this incredible invention now widely used in the USA can also be used to soak up leaks, spills, drips and floods INSIDE your home or business.
The reason is that in their dry state they resemble large pillowcases and, by being very thin with a large surface area, they can be slipped under leaking pipes in the hardest-to-reach spots such as below floorboards, underneath sinks or beneath boilers.
It means they will be able to soak up leaking water and prevent damage until a plumber can get there to fix the problem.
The reason is the gelling polymer inside the FloodSax absorbs water and retains it – right up to 20 litres.
To transform the FloodSax into an instant alternative sandbag in around 5 minutes simply immerse the FloodSax in water and the polymer will absorb the water until it’s full. At this point the FloodSax sandless sandbag will weigh around 20kg.
As they have a uniform shape and size they are quite easy to lift, carry and build into protective walls to prevent floods. Sandbags tend to quickly lose their shape, making them unwieldy and heavy. They also rot when they come into contact with water but FloodSax will keep their shape for weeks or even months.
There are countless reasons why you should always have packs of FloodSax so you are ready for any flooding emergency. They can be deployed very quickly, saving you a fortune in water damage, not to mention very costly repairs.
Water is merciless … and by that we mean it wrecks everything it touches.
Here are some of the many ways you could find your home damaged by floodwater and why you need FloodSax just in case.
Frozen pipes: Never turn all your heating off in winter – if water freezes in your pipes it expands, cracks the pipe and when it thaws it all comes flooding out.
Mice, rats and other vermin: Yes, our little rodent chums like nothing better than to gnaw away on a delicious water pipe, often in the most inaccessible places. This can especially happen under the sink and, over time, you can smell the musty aroma of leaking water. Take the kitchen unit kickboards off, have a good look underneath and you may see pipes with tiny holes and water spurting out of them as it passes through.
Grouting and seals in showers: Over time water will have an impact on your grout and seals, especially if you enjoy the thrill of a power shower pumped up to maximum effect. The water will hit the same spots in the shower time and time again (not being rude, but where it hits depends on your body shape) and so will take a toll. Once the grout starts to crack and crumble the water will get behind the tiles and then drip down. The first you’ll know about it is when you get a not-so-lovely big watermark on the ceiling below. So the moto is keep an eye on that grout and if it’s crumbling get it out.
Pipes that simply give way due to the pressure: A lot of today’s plumbing involves plastic pipes which simply push together. All very well but if the water pressure coursing through the pipes is increased it can be too much for the fittings and they budge, with water dripping out which may then lead to a full-blown flood. You’d only know this was happening under the floorboards if the boiler keeps losing pressure or you can smell the pungent aroma of water beneath your feet. Pipes can especially be vulnerable if you have a new boiler fitted and the water pressure it pumps out is far greater than the old one.
Washing machines: Seals can give way on the water pipes leading into the machine or the pipes could crack if they get damaged – perhaps if you have to move the machine.
Water pipes leading to large fridge freezers with ice machines: These are usually tucked away at the back so be careful when moving the appliance – they are so heavy if you catch the pipe you could easily crack it.
Toilets: Seals can give way over time in cisterns causing the water to run into the pan continually but there is also the danger this will leak out. Toilet overflows can also go wrong.
Radiators: Great when they’re working, not so great when they’ve developed a leak which is usually a seal on the pipework going in or out. It’s not unknown for them to rust, corrode and the water seep out. Often you may not realise for ages if the water is running down onto a dark-coloured carpet.
Pipes under the sink: Pipework under kitchen sinks can become very cramped, feeding everything from a dishwasher to an outside tap. It’s so easy for them to get caught, tugged or a washer getting worn and the water then drips into the unit or, even worse, through holes in the unit and onto the floor. It then spreads under kitchen floors and before you know it you’ve a hefty repair bill on your hands and a new floor to buy.
Blocked gutters: A blocked gutter on the outside of the house can cause all kinds of flooding problems inside. Debris over the years or a lot of sodden leaves can block the guttering which then sends water over the top and down the side of the property. Water, being water, will then find the quickest and easiest route into the house and perhaps get in where some of the pointing has fallen out. Before you know it you’ve a large damp patch appearing on an internal wall.
Cracked roof slates: Again, once water gets in it finds its quickest course so will run down beams and then drip through ceilings so you might, for instance, find a pool of water on your bathroom floor when it’s raining heavily outside and wonder where it came from. Look up and if you see it dripping through the ceiling you know you’ve got a major problem.
Overflowing sinks: Yes, it happens, especially if you have curious little ones in the house who think it’s interesting to see what happens if they put the plug in the sink and then leave the taps on..
Boilers: Again boilers involve a lot of pipework with seals and valves all at risk of becoming faulty at some point. Be aware that if you see drips of water appear beneath them then get the boiler checked out. You can’t afford for it to worsen in terms of the money you’d have to spend to repair it or the damage it could cause if the drip became a flood. You’d also be without hot water for days or even weeks.
Air conditioning units: Air conditioning removes excess moisture from the air in your house to the outside. If the unit’s ducts clog up, the moisture will accumulate inside them and then trickle down to the floor, damaging it.
Sewage backing up through the toilet: Floods outside or a toilet blockage sends water and a whole lot more back up and onto your toilet floor. Water’s bad enough. The whole lot more is even worse.
Almost 3 million FloodSax have now been sold worldwide, many in the USA.
To find out more about FloodSax in the US email us at info@floodsaxus.com, phone us on 800 255 4208 ext 121 or visit our website at https://www.floodsaxus.com/