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From 2016 but worth a look (Original Post) mfcorey1 Sep 2017 OP
Before running out to invest in this... lapfog_1 Sep 2017 #1
Thanks for the info! mfcorey1 Sep 2017 #2
And how does it affect your neighbors who don't have one? haveahart Sep 2017 #3
probably not at all lapfog_1 Sep 2017 #4

lapfog_1

(29,166 posts)
1. Before running out to invest in this...
Thu Sep 7, 2017, 08:34 AM
Sep 2017

It is worth it to know a few things.

1. You are going to need a flat and level surface surrounding your house to install it. Hills or really any variations in elevation would be very hard to overcome.

2. sewer pipes... both septic and drainage... have to make sure that this is system is closed loop to an elevation equal to the level of the water dam. Rain gutter drainage in particular... you can possibly install sealed standing pipes to 3 or 4 feet above the level ground with open tops for the gutter system.

3. In the case of Harvey, you would need more a one sump pump of significant capacity to pump the rainwater that falls in the yard behind the dam and pump it over the dam (30 or 40 inches of rain fell in Harvey for many locations). That means keeping a generator with fuel for 5 days or so or gas powered sump pumps for a similar amount of time. Probably you can run these pump as needed so the amount of fuel needed might not be that bad.

4. Last, if it was me, I would dig a very shallow moat in which to install the water dam... to remove any possibility of the dam moving after it is filled with water and to allow me to inspect the "moat" for any sharp objects (rocks) that might puncture the dam.

Oh, and on the TV show "Oak Island" the treasure hunters installed one of these across a shallow "swamp" area and pumped the sea water out. The Dam failed before they could completely drain it the first time... and it was only partly successful the second time.

Also... the height of the dam is rather limited and lower than the most severe flooding in Harvey... so you need a larger water dam (don't know how big they make this, but I'm guessing it is rather limited due to the pressure of the water that fills the tubing).

One last thing... this won't work in Florida to prevent storm surge... Florida is built out of limestone.

lapfog_1

(29,166 posts)
4. probably not at all
Thu Sep 7, 2017, 12:07 PM
Sep 2017

unless everyone in a region employed then...

in which case it might be theoretically possible that the extensive use of such coffer dams could raise the rest of the flood waters a small amount.

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