HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BARRIER

The versatility of the Water-Gate barrier provides many advantages to its user because the product can be used for multiple tasks. The more precise the needs for use in the short and medium term, the easier it becomes to find the right product.

Determine your needs

Whether it is to fight a flood, create temporary water reserves, confine hazardous materials or facilitate the diversion of a watercourse to carry out aquatic works, the Water-Gate product line meets a wide range of needs. Follow the instructions in the next eight essential steps to determine your needs.

Note that sandbags positioned in certain places will also help limit infiltration.

01

Take into consideration all the obstacles around the building (swimming pool, trees, sheds, etc.).

02

You will need a clear area of at least 2 feet around the perimeter near the structure to be protected.

03

Provide space to properly position the barriers. See the charter on the back to determine the space required depending on the height selected.

04

Use the red line to determine the total length needed.

05

Pumps are required to pump rainwater and any infiltration downstream from the barrier. Choose pumps with a capacity of 2 to 14 litres/minute for each linear meter of dyke.

WARNING! A person must be present at all times (24 hours a day) to ensure that there is no congestion (leaves, debris, etc.) that can obstruct the work of the pumps.

06

It is possible to create 90-degree angles/corners by folding the barrier correctly.

07

It is possible to join barriers of different heights with our integrated Velcro system.

08

Take into consideration the direction of the flood and be sure to position the barrier properly.

How to determine the necessary length?

The calculation of the necessary barriers is always done from the red line as illustrated in the previous image.

Determine the required retention height
  • The height may vary depending on events history, the slope and other factors.
  • Take into consideration the lowest point of your land to calculate the necessary height.
  • See the opposite chart for the distance required to install the barrier (red line).
  • Pay special attention to obstacles: increase the length as necessary to avoid any obstacle, or create corners to go around them.
  • The end joints (Velcro joints) should be at least 5 feet from the corners.

Our advices

General advice
  • Be sure to select the correct barrier size and be equipped with pumps and other necessary tools to prevent infiltration and manage rainwater.
  • All barrier models are compatible, with the exception of barriers with a height of 6 ″, which can only be attached to barriers of the same model.
  • Each Water-Gate barrier has a depth ratio of 4 to 1, which guarantees excellent stability.
Security
  • Avoid placing Velcro seals around the corners.
  • Pay special attention to obstacles when measuring the space you need to install the barrier.
  • Sandbags are necessary in certain places of the mud flap before the barrier to minimize infiltration.

The 4 Golden Rules

To successfully install your Water-Gate barrier!

Never attempt to contain a leak behind the barrier

If there are leaks, prevent water from entering the front of the barrier. In most cases, this problem is caused by infiltration upstream. If you try to control a leak behind the barrier, it could create a small pool below it and make it unstable.

Pump the water behind the barrier

It is important to leave enough space between the building and the back of the barrier to accommodate a water pump. Water that infiltrates under the barrier should not be allowed to accumulate behind it.

Place a regular weight on the front flap

Do not attach the barrier to the ground. The water that enters the barrier creates a weight that holds the flowing water. It is important to place weights on the front to reduce infiltration. The WL model, created for flood control, is designed with integrated ballast allowing rapid deployment. The weights reduce infiltration under the barrier and allow it to stay firmly in place on the ground.

Prevent water from accumulating under the barrier

Remove all objects that could cause infiltration under the front of the barrier. It is designed to stay in place on all surfaces, be it asphalt, gravel, grass or concrete. However, if there is too much water under the front, the barrier will not adhere as well and could slip. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the soil is free of all objects that could cause water to accumulate under the barrier.

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