Flood Barrier DIY Installation
Our Flood Barrier System DIY Installation is designed to help Homeowners protect doorways and openings against flooding. The ability to stack the planks up to 6 feet is impressive and versatile for various flood scenarios with its U-Channel Posts; these posts remain in place permanently, and when flooding is expected, a series of aluminum planks, which are stacked as needed to the height required.
Flood Barrier Mounting Options
Outside Mount
Inside Mount
DIY Self-Installation Guide: Measuring for Flood Barrier Planks
Measuring Doors & Window Openings for a Flood Panel Barrier System
To ensure a proper fit for your flood panel barrier system, accurately measure the width of the door or window opening. Use a tape measure to measure the widest point of the opening. For sliding manual and sliding glass doors, note that the width may include a small concrete lip or threshold that extends beyond the door frame, which should be included in your measurement. If exterior shutters or other fixtures are mounted to the sides of the opening, measure the full width, including these features, to ensure the barrier fits securely. Always use the widest measurements for complete coverage.
It’s also essential to provide us with measurements of how far any door handles, windowsills, or hurricane shutters protrude from the surface where the post will be mounted, so we can include any additional PVC Planks or aluminum angle that you may need for installation in your quote.
Below is how we will calculate the length we will cut your planks, based on your measurements and installation opening type.
- Inside Mount, we will subtract 2 inches.
- Outside Mount, we will add 3 inches.
- Inside and Outside Mount, we will add 1/2 inch.
- For Distances over 10′, we will include a center post and deduct 1 1/2″ more from the total width or 3/4 from both side planks, and you will need to mount it the middle of your opening.
3″ x 5″ Aluminum Angel Shim
3/4″ x 5 1/2″ PVC Board Shim
Flood Barrier System
Engineered Shop Drawings
Protect Your Property with The Proper Flood Plank Height
FEMA recommends installing Flood Planks at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation (BFE) to safeguard your home or business from flood damage. This simple step can make a big difference in reducing risk and meeting safety standards.
To calculate the recommended height for your Flood Planks, follow these steps using your elevation certificate: Take the number in cell B9, subtract it from the value in either C2, a, or d, depending on which you want to protect, and then add 12 inches. This will give you the minimum height needed to align with FEMA’s guidelines.
So in the attached example, B9 is 7.0 minus C2d 6.2 plus 12 equals 14.8 inches. Want to see it in action? Click the link below to view a sample elevation certificate and better understand how it works.
View Sample Elevation Certificate
AREAS THAT WE INSTALL
We Will Ship Nationwide
Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, Sanibel, Punta Gorda, Venice, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Long Boat Key, Port Charlotte, Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsboro, Pinellas, Indian River County, St. Lucie County, Martin County, Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County.
Why Choose Our DIY Flood Barrier System for Flood Protection?
- Durable enough to handle high winds and debris.
- Serious flood protection against severe floods up to 6ft.
- Customizable flood barrier heights and lengths.
- Reusable and long-lasting stop logs with durable aluminum construction.
How Does Our Flood Barrier System DIY Installation Work?
We use a series of aluminum planks that are slotted into support posts mounted on either side of the opening to be protected. The Planks have rubber EPDM seals on the underside, and posts have Rubber EPDM in the slot, which helps create a durable seal-off against water infiltration.
For added wind and debris resistance, floodgate planks are tightened against the seal within the posts and bracketed down from the top so that they stay in place in even the most extreme situations.
Flood Barrier Test Results
Test Overview
For the past several months, we have conducted rigorous testing of our flood plank barriers in a controlled test tank environment to evaluate their performance under various flood conditions. The tests focused on the barriers’ ability to mitigate flooding and the extent of leakage under different water heights.
Test Results
- Flood Plank Barriers are a First Line of Defense: Our flood plank barriers serve as an effective initial level of flood mitigation. However, some leakage occurs, with the amount of leakage dependent on the height of the water against the barriers.
- Specific Findings:
- At 30 inches of water height in the test tank, the barriers exhibited minimal leakage 1.5 gallons per hour with no flood bags deployed to slow the flow, indicating strong performance for moderate flood levels, when we added the flood bags at this water level it significantly reduced the flow.
- At a higher water level 7 Planks 51” high, the barriers experienced higher leakage. 3 Gallons per hour with flood bags deployed across the entire barriers. (see picture above)
- The manufacturer states that the flood bags hold up to 50 lbs. of water which translates to 6 gallons, and we were able to verify the bags hold roughly 6 gallons of water.
- Our flood plank barriers provide effective protection against moderate flooding, with minimal leakage observed at water heights up to 30 inches. However, at higher water levels, leakage increases, underscoring the need for supplementary mitigation measures. By combining our flood plank barriers with the recommended strategies above, clients can significantly reduce flood damage and enhance their property’s resilience.
Specifications:
Posts
- Post Material: 6063 T-5 Aluminum.
- Post Height: Varies depending on the number of planks.
- Post Depth: 3.55” (10cm).
- Post Width: 2.36”.
- Middle Post Width (Double Channel): 5.12”.
- Middle Post Depth: 3.94” (10cm).
- Sealing Material: Rubber EPDM.
- Bolts: M12 8.8mm 316L Stainless Steel bolts.
Planks
- Plank Material: 6063 T-5 Aluminum.
- Plank Width: Varies Depending on Opening Size
- Plank Weight: 2.0 lbs per ft.
- Individual Plank Height: 7.31” (18.5cm).
- Plank Depth: 1.57” (40mm).
- Plank Extrusion Wall Thickness: 0.0787” (2 mm).
- Sealing Strip Material: Rubber EPDM.
- Tallest Protection Height: 6 ft (10 planks)
Concrete Footer installation for our Flood Plank Systems
Client Testimonials
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what people are saying:
FEMA Dry Floodproofing
FEMA defines dry floodproofing as measures to prevent floodwaters from entering a structure, typically by making it watertight below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), and is a common flood protection application for non-residential buildings.
Powder-Coated Aluminum Posts
We have local companies that can powder coat our aluminum flood barrier posts, delivering corrosion resistance, durability, and a polished look. Many condo associations require powder coating to meet aesthetic and durability standards, and our process ensures your flood barriers comply while blending with your existing home color scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, our flood protection solutions are designed specifically for block walls or cement-poured structures. If you have a wood-framed home, our systems might not be suitable. We recommend consulting with our experts to explore alternative options that might be available.
Zip Flood Barriers are manufactured using high-quality extruded Aluminum, and the hardware is made from stainless steel.
We offer Easy Financing.
See your personalized payment plans now without affecting your credit score and no home equity is required.
- Loan amounts up to $250,000
- Funding within 1-3 days
Disclaimer: Zip Flood Panels are engineered to help reduce flood damage under specific conditions, but they do not guarantee complete protection against all flooding events. The effectiveness of the panels may vary depending on factors such as: Volume and duration of water exposure Quality of installation Regular maintenance and inspections Environmental conditions exceeding the product’s design limits Zip Flood Control does not warrant or guarantee that the panels will prevent all flood-related damage. Certain limitations and exclusions apply, which are not covered under the product’s limited warranty. For full details, please review our Limited Warranty.
