FloodSax are ideal to prevent damage from internal escapes of water All these 20 FloodSax alternative sandbags came from this one easy-to-carry box FloodSax are in packs of 5 so are incredibly space-saving to store yet quick and easy to deploy

FloodSax alternative sandbags prevents damage to pensioner’s home after old lead pipe starts to leak

FloodSax saved potentially thousands of pounds damage after an old lead pipe suddenly started leaking in a pensioner’s home.

Janet Tipton lives in Syston, Leicestershire, and always has a stock of FloodSax sandless sandbags after a serious flood in January 2024 caused thousands of pounds damage when a brook burst its banks, sending water into Janet’s house and nearby homes.

The brook burst its banks again on January 6, 2025 but this time Janet was prepared with FloodSax which had been given to her by her insurance company Lloyds.

Now she has had to deploy the FloodSax solely for an internal leak.

“The old lead pipe in my kitchen sprang a leak but I managed to prevent flooding by deploying the FloodSax,” she said.

“They absorbed all the water before I was able to turn off the supply and engage a plumber. The FloodSax did not leak and were easily disposed of at the local refuse site.”

During the flood in January 2024 water got in under Janet’s doors and airbricks to the point it was 3 inches deep downstairs.

This meant all her wooden floors needed to be replaced, including the kickboards in the kitchen and also a freezer. Specialists were needed to deep clean her sofa after it became contaminated with the floodwater.

One plumber, Yorkshire-based James Lucks, reckons all plumbers should have a pack of FloodSax alternative sandbags in their vans to help make their jobs easier ... and drier.

He’s also had trouble with old lead pipes after he was called to a house where a toilet was leaking from a corroded old lead pipe. He put FloodSax around the toilet and across the bathroom floor just in case the leak worsened … and it did in a massive way.

For the seal suddenly gave way, sending gallons of water gushing across the bathroom floor.

James, who owns Lux Plumbing and Heating in Huddersfield, said: “The FloodSax not only saved the day but the customer an awful lot of money in damage. The FloodSax soaked the water up which meant it didn’t penetrate the floor and leak through to the ceiling below. If the water had gone straight onto the floor it would have been a ceiling breaker for sure.”

FloodSax have saved him time on several jobs - often meaning he doesn't need to drain down entire central heating systems just to change a radiator - which also cuts down the bill for his customers. 

Flooding causes horrendous damage, leaving insurance companies to face huge claims.

The average cost per claim for a flooded house is £32,000 and £83,000 for small and medium businesses, with 40% of businesses never opening again following a flood.

FloodSax are way better than sandbags because they are so multi-use and flexible. In their dry state they are very flat with a large surface area so are ideal to soak up leaks, drips, spills and floods such as beneath sinks, below boilers and even underneath pipes under floorboards. FloodSax will also absorb water leaking in through roofs and windows.

To transform FloodSax into instant sandless sandbags, simply immerse them fully in water and the gelling polymer inside the FloodSax absorbs and retains the water, transforming the FloodSax into an instant ‘sandless sandbag’ which is a uniform shape so they are easy to handle and stack.

FloodSax come in vacuumed-packed bags of 5 with four packs - that's 20 FloodSax - in one easy-to-carry box.

To buy FloodSax go to https://www.floodsax.co.uk/buy/uk-suppliers