Sandbags

When properly filled and placed, sandbags can protect homes from low depth flooding of up to approximately two feet. Sandbags can be used to protect the low points where water can enter homes, such as window wells, stairwells, doorways or garage doors. The largest limitation of using sandbags is the time required to fill and place the bags. 


Village Sandbagging Stations 

The Village of Lisle provides self-serve sandbagging stations in the event a small stream flash flood warning is issued for the Lisle area or water levels in local waterways warrant the stations. 


Notification 

The Village will provide notification of the station locations via its communication channels, including this website, Cable TV, social media and e-notify service. 


Sandbagging Instructions

  • Fill sandbags only 1/2 to 2/3 full
  • Fold top of sandbag down and under the placed bag
  • Place bags with the folded top toward the upstream or uphill direction to prevent bags from opening when water runs past them.
  • Place each sandbag in an overlapping pattern, completing each layer prior to starting the next layer. Limit placement to two layers unless a building is used as backing or sandbags are pyramided.
  • When protecting doors or windows, place plastic under and behind the bags.

           Fill sandbag cartoon            Sandbag cartoon placement


Sandbag Disposal 

Used sand bags are not collected by the Village. To properly dispose of used sandbags: 

  • Spread clean sand in an area where fill is permissible. 
  • Contaminated sand, that has come in contact with flood waters, may be disposed of in the garbage or spread in an area that will not allow for immediate human contact. Bacteria will dissipate with time and exposure to the elements.
  • Contaminated sand should not be placed in playgrounds, sandboxes or gardens. 

Sandbag Alternatives 
New to the market are a number of “sandless” sandbag options that vary in size and length, some of which are reusable. Sandless alternatives include bags that are the same size as regular sandbags but are filled with a material that swells when wet. Other sandbag options include long rubber tubes, which when filled with water, vary from 6 feet to 50 feet in length and from 6 inches to 2 feet in height. 
 
These alternatives allow homeowners to have the protection available in the home before a flood warning has been issued. These products are available primarily online with some options now available for pick up at home improvement stores. Common product names include Quick Dam, Floodsax, Stormbag, Hydrasorber, Hydrabarrier and Watercurb. Additional product details and website information is provided. Please note the Village of Lisle does not endorse any of these products. Please research each product to determine if they will meet your needs.