One of the most common questions we’re asked regarding Quick Dam Flood Bags & Flood Barriers is whether or not they should be pre-activated. Although it’s such a common question the answer is very open ended and up to interpretation. Below we’re outlining our best practices for using Quick Dams and whether or not pre-activation is the way to go.
We always agree that the customer knows their property better than anyone else. The ability to identify high-risk flood areas around your home or property is vital. Depending on the severity of the incoming storm as well as previous water issues you have dealt with in the past, it’s up to you whether or not pre-activation is necessary. Although that seems open-ended we do have recommendations.
We do recommend if you want your Quick Dams to fully activate at the very beginning of an incoming storm that you do pre-activate your Flood Bags or Flood Barriers. Remember, Quick Dams will only inflate as much as the water they take in and absorb. We often field questions about Flood Bags & Barriers that might not have fully inflated so this is important to remember.
If dealing with just minor water runoff that you’re looking to divert, then pre-activation is not necessary. As the oncoming water comes in contact with your Quick Dams they will activate and divert the water.
So let’s say you DO want to pre-activate your Quick Dams, here is how you should go about the process.
Pre-Activating Your Flood Bags & Flood Barriers
As you’ll see in the video below, Quick Dams will activate in less than ten minutes when fully exposed to water.
When pre-activating your Quick Dams it’s best to use a steady flow of water preferably from a garden hose. Turn your hose on and evenly wet your Quick Dams until you have achieved a complete activation of the product. To make placement of your Quick Dams easier you can lay them in your desired spot of protection (Example: in front of a doorway or garage door) and then use the hose to pre-activate.
Another effective method of activating your Quick Dams is to grab a large container (Rubbermaid bin, large bucket) and fill it with water. Once you fill the container, drop in your Quick Dams one at a time for a quick activation. Once fully activated place your Quick Dams in the desired area of protection!
The important factor of deciding whether or not to pre-activate your Quick Dams is to trust your gut. You know your home or property best. There is a peace of mind you can achieve by pre-activating your Quick Dams before the storm. Still, the most important thing is that you thoroughly prepare and protect against the dangers of flooding.
