Sandbags placed correctly in and around your home can help minimise the impact of flooding.
Be aware that sandbags may not stop water coming in completely, they are used to reduce as much water coming into your property.
If you are in a flood prone area, keep a few unfilled sandbags and some dry sand at home.
How to lay sandbags video
Download a transcript of the SES "How to Lay Sandbags" video (PDF, 58 KB).
How to lay sandbags guide
The SES Sandbag Guide (PDF, 1.6 MB) shows you how to fill, lay and place sandbags around your home or business.
Where to get sandbags
Buy them
You can buy sandbags from many hardware, landscaping or garden supply stores. Plastic shopping bags, grain and animal fodder bags may also be used in an emergency in place of sandbags.
SES
Temporary SES sandbag locations
Before major storms, the SES may distribute sandbags from temporary distribution points close to the expected storm activity. If activated, these sandbag distribution points will be listed on the SES sandbag locations page and on SES social media.
Permanent SES sandbag locations
Many SES units across South Australia have self-serve sandbag pods available for 24-hour access to sandbags for protection against possible flood damage.
Your local council
Your local council may also have sandbags available. To find the contact details of your council, use the Find my council page on the Local Government of South Australia website.
What to fill your sandbags with
Bricklayer's sand contains high amounts of clay and is the best type of sand to fill sandbags. Sand can be purchased from hardware and gardening suppliers. Otherwise use garden soil if sand is not readily available. Do not use materials that water can get through, such as rocks or perlite.
How to fill a sandbag
Only fill sandbags two-thirds full. This allows the sand to shift about, lie flat, and mould to fill any gaps.
Do not overfill sandbags.
Do not tie the top of the bag.
How to work safely with sandbags
Filled sandbags can weigh between 15-20 kilograms so you may need at least two people to lay them safely.
Do not try and lift a sandbag that is too heavy.
Wear gloves to protect your hands and goggles or safety glasses to avoid sand blowing into your eyes.
Where to place the sandbags
Place sandbags over all wastewater drains, including toilets, showers and sinks, to prevent greywater entering your home. Wrapping these sandbags in a plastic bag before using them is also a good idea.
Air vents at the bottom of your home’s external wall may also need protection from flooding. You can cover smaller vents with waterproof tape or plastic.
Build a small sandbag wall across external doorways. This includes sliding doors and garage roller doors. The height of the sandbag wall will depend on the expected height of the floodwater, generally around two sandbag rows high.
How to lay sandbags
Lay sandbags as you would lay bricks, offsetting the rows so the gaps between the sandbags are staggered.
Tuck the flap under each sandbag and at the end of the row. Flattening the top of the sandbag wall before adding the next row will help you to build a more stable sandbag wall.
It is best to offset each row by half a sandbag. Start at one end and work through to the other. If available, use plastic sheeting under the sandbags and continue it up the surface you are protecting to reduce water getting through.
How to dispose of used sandbags
Wear sturdy gloves and goggles when handling used sandbags, particularly if they have been exposed to floodwater, which is often contaminated with human and animal waste, chemicals and other contaminants.
Open the sandbags and scatter the contents on to a garden bed, lawn or other external areas where it will not wash into stormwater drains or waterways such as rivers and creeks.
Most sandbags, including those supplied and used by the SA SES, are biodegradable. Once emptied, they can safely be disposed in your household rubbish or buried in the ground where they will break down.