Worried about flooding? A test found duct tape better than sandbags
Researchers at the University of Hull have found that applying duct tape to the exterior of household doors can reduce floodwater leakage by up to 98%. This low-cost, accessible method outperformed traditional sandbags in controlled laboratory testing.
Why it matters
Providing affordable, DIY flood mitigation strategies is critical for household resilience as climate-related flood risks increase globally.
Could a cheap roll of duct tape help protect your home from flooding? New research suggests it could make a surprisingly big difference. <b>By Stuart McLelland for The Conversation</b> In controlled tests, correctly applied duct tape on the outside of a household door reduced water leakage by 97-98%. The findings suggest that a simple low-cost measure could substantially reduce the amount of water entering a home during a flood. This is important as one of the key lessons from flood resilience research is that the best time to protect a property is before floodwater arrives. The UK government’s 2025 FloodReady Review called for practical, affordable measures that help households understand their risks and to prepare for flooding. And one potential contribution to this agenda might sound unlikely, at first glance. Duct tape is more commonly associated with household repairs than flood protection.
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