Quick Dams contain a super absorbent polymer that react and swell on contact with water. Once activated the water is contained as a gel within the fabric, thus acting as a barrier.
Quick Dams contain a super absorbent polymer (similar to what’s inside baby diapers) that react and swell on contact with water. Once activated (typically 10 minutes), the water is contained as a gel within the fabric, thus acting as a barrier.
You may pre-activate Quick Dam Flood Bags & Barriers or let the weather activate them, depending on your application.
Quick Dams can be placed in position and wait for rain or spray with a hose. To minimize water escaping before they are activated, place them inside a bucket, wheel barrel or trash bag/box & then fill with water to activate. A nearby puddle, stream or lake is even suitable.
Since Quick Dams are activated by water, they are a similar weight- so they should
always be stacked higher than the oncoming water to be effective. Stack in a brick or pyramid formation & widen the base as needed to maintain stability.
For further instruction, watch our Set Up video and our Tips & Tricks video.
Depending on your situation, you may pre-activate them or let the weather activate them. Quick Dams can be placed in position and wait for water to arrive. If a current of water is expected, partially activating them is recommended so that they don’t float away. If building a retaining wall is desired, pre-soaking & stacking them is recommended.
No, Quick Dams do not work with salt water, calcium, lime or chlorine. There is a chemical reaction that causes the absorbed water to be released back out, making them not effective as a barrier & must be thrown away.
Flood Barriers contain a wedge to prevent them from rolling. When laying in position, be sure to place the “mini channel” away from flooding water. This will assure that as it grows, it acts as a wedge to secure in position. Ideally, place Quick Dams outdoors in the path of problem water & divert it, before it becomes a problem. They can also be used to absorb & contain a leak or spill.
Quick Dams should be pre-activated with water to create a barrier & then they can be used to control other fluids. They will not activate without the presence of water.
Yes, this is normal. During our manufacturing process the needles can pull the powder through the stitched seam, which will cause crystals to appear the first time you activate t he product. The gelled water will wash away with water, degrade over time & is non toxic & nonhazardous.
Un-activated: indefinite as long as kept dry, so store in their closed package until needed. Activated: if left in position, they can last for 6-12 months.
Once the gel gets wet and activated, they will provide ongoing protection (this is how they are reusable) for weeks to months depending on your environment. They are not designed to be dried, put away, and reused.
However, if drying out is required, timing will vary based on weather conditions. The hotter, drier areas will take a month or so, and more humid, cooler areas may take 3 months. During drying- do NOT leave them in the direct sun, as this causes them to degrade and not allow for reactivation later. Once completely dry, they will almost go back to their original shape, but the inner contents will feel hard and crunchy. This is completely normal and the crunchy polymer will reactivate again with water.
Yes, as the water evaporates, they will get smaller. If complete evaporation is desired, store Quick Dams in a dry environment , like a garage or shed. Over several weeks, Quick Dams will shrink & become crunchy & ready to store away. Once re-exposed to water, they will absorb & swell again.
Quick Dams contain a super absorbent polymer that is non-toxic & non-hazardous and will degrade over time. This degradation is the slime that you feel. Simply wash or wipe it off.
Quick Dams are environmentally friendly and can be disposed of in the trash. Polymer contents will degrade with UV exposure, pressure and time, leaving an empty pouch that can be thrown in the trash. Gelled contents can be cut out of bag & spread on lawn or garden to provide temporary moisture until degradation occurs, typically within a few days. Contents will be VERY slippery, so keep off of walkways to prevent slip & fall accidents. For more info, read our blog, Aftercare: How to Safely Dispose.
Yes they can, although they will be moist, so be careful when leaving them on floors that are susceptible to water damage.
Quick Dam Flood Barriers have an extra wedge stitched along its length that acts as a wedge & prevents them from rolling away.
Quick Dams can be stacked 3 high in a brick formation. If you need to go higher, widen the base like a pyramid formation. The higher you need the wall height, the thicker the base should be. Stacking straight up will create an unstable base and they may slide off.
Quick Dams will absorb, swell & gel water, creating a barrier. If the surface is uneven, seepage may occur. If large amounts of water are expected, double layers or stacking & building a wall may be necessary to prevent leakage. Quick Dams are not a solution for every application.
Quick Dams alone will not grow mold, but if they are activated with contaminated water, then there is a possibility, so storing them outdoors to dry out is recommended.
No, not on their own. Although they will absorb an odor if it is present in the fluid absorbed, and this may cause it to split open.
Yes & No. As long as the Barriers are NOT fully activated, then you can drive over it- making sure to "squish" the gel back in place to prevent water from seeping through in that area. If the Barriers are fully activated, then you cannot, as the gel needs to go somewhere.
Time will vary based on weather conditions. The hotter, drier areas will take a month or so, & more humid, cooler areas may take 3 months. They will be left crunchy. During drying- do NOT leave them in the sun, as this causes them to degrade & not reactivate later.
Until they are activated- they can float on the water- so pre-activating & stacking them may be necessary. Quick Dams should always be stacked higher than the water to avoid floatation.
Yes, they can be used in the winter/snow. Make sure they are fully activated before freezing temperatures occur to assure maximum protection when the snow is melting. We do not recommend moving them while frozen to prevent any tearing of the outer material. Also, Salt on the roads should not come in contact with Quick Dams. To help, pre-activate Quick Dams with water & then wrap plastic under & over the top to prevent the salt from making contact.
One of the key features of Quick Dams (Patent Pending) is the black non-woven durable fabric that provides UV protection that prevents degradation of the inner absorbent. Allowing the consumer to leave Quick Dams in position, for many months of ongoing protection. The white, knit & jute products allow UV rays to penetrate through to the inner absorbent, thus degrading them in only 2-3 weeks.
Yes they can, but if the cars or driveway have salt on them, this may cause the Quick Dams to only partially absorb & still allow moisture underneath. For this application, we recommend wrapping them in plastic after activation or the Water Curb or WaterForce.
Uneven surfaces may be the cause as well as when Quick Dams are used on porous surfaces (un finished concrete) - both sides are fighting to absorb water- so there can be some seepage around them.
We are unsure of the exact nature, but we believe it is due to metals, calcium or contaminants in the water that was absorbed. We suggest lime scale remover as a possible solution.
No, these are not meant to go in any machine for cleaning. This could cause serious damage to your machines and will ruin the Quick Dam product.
No. These are not meant to be cut as it will destroy the integrity of the product. The flood barriers are flexible and can be wrapped around or folded.
Lyme Remover or chlorine cleaner may work. Please test a small area to see if this will be an effective solution.
Staining may occur in instances where the surface is porous or unfinished cement is present. Remove from area when no longer needed. Porous surfaces like unfinished cement cause excessive seepage, since they are both trying to absorb water. Plastic barrier film in between, may help.
It is hard to predict what elements the barrier may be exposed to while in use. If parts swelled and others don’t the product is not defective. Something may have been mixed in with the water causing it not to activate (sediment, chemicals, etc.)
Quick Dams have a 10+ year shelf life if the product remains in their original sealed packaging. Once activated, they are environmentally affected by heat & sunlight & will naturally degrade within 1-6 months. For more info, check out our blog, Understanding the Shelf Life of Quick Dam Products.
PLEASE NOTE: Our items are sold dry & do not cause water damage. We are not liable for water damage should the product not work for your application. Water causes water damage, our goal is to help you divert it before it becomes a problem.
