Technology & Innovation
How Modern Flood Protection Systems Actually Work (And Why Your Grandpa's Sandbags Won't Cut It)
By the Flood Guard team | Updated | 5 min read
In one sentence: a modern flood panel system is a set of interlocking aluminum planks that slide into tracks mounted on each side of an opening; rubber gaskets between every part are squeezed tight so water can't get through.
The sandbag problem
Sandbags were the best option for generations because they were the only option. They're heavy (around 35 to 40 lbs each filled), they take a crew hours to place, and water seeps between them. After the storm they're soaked with floodwater and have to be thrown out.
How a panel system seals
- Tracks. Aluminum channels are permanently bolted to the wall on each side of the opening. They stay up year-round and can be painted to match the house.
- Panels. Lightweight extruded aluminum panels slide down into the tracks and interlock with each other into one rigid wall.
- Gaskets. EPDM rubber, the same material used in car door seals and roofing, sits under each panel, along the back of each track and at the bottom. A thicker, softer bottom gasket conforms to tile, pavers and sloped thresholds.
- Compression. A top cap and stainless steel bolts press everything together, which is what makes the seal watertight.
See the Flood Guard system for a labelled diagram.
Why aluminum
Steel rusts in salt air. Wood swells and rots. Plastic can flex under water pressure. Aluminum with stainless hardware is light enough for one person to carry and stands up to Gulf Coast conditions for years.
What to look for in any system
- Custom measured for each opening, not a one-size kit
- Corrosion-resistant metals and stainless hardware
- Gaskets on every joint, including the floor
- Deployment one person can do in minutes
- A written warranty and a local installer
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