A cheap roll of adhesive tape can noticeably reduce the amount of water entering a home during a flood. That is the conclusion reached by researchers from the University of Hull (UK), who tested different types of doors under laboratory conditions.
In controlled tests, tape was stuck to the outside of an ordinary door - and water leakage fell by 97-98%. Specialized sealing tapes gave an even better result.
The experiment was carried out on modern wooden, plastic (uPVC) and composite doors installed by professional fitters. Water was raised in 5 cm steps to a maximum depth of 60 cm, and the liquid that seeped through was collected in a sealed container behind the door and the leakage rate was continuously measured. The same person applied the tape to each door to avoid subjective differences - this took from 10 to 20 minutes.
For comparison, sandbags were also tested: 54 bags with plastic sheeting between the door and the bags. Without protection, at a depth of 60 cm leakage often reached thousands of liters per hour. Sandbags reduced it by only 70% at best, and the result depended on the water level. Tape proved noticeably more effective.
The difference in price is striking: a roll of adhesive tape costs about 10 pounds or less, while sandbags require spending on transport, placement and disposal after contact with contaminated water.
However, the authors stress: tape is not a replacement for professional flood doors, barriers or an individual protection plan. It is a temporary measure that can reduce water entering through specific gaps, but does not guarantee a dry home and will not stop water through walls, floors and drainage. Effectiveness depends on the condition of the door and frame, the quality of the surface, airtightness and flood conditions.
For homes in areas of serious risk, professionally assessed protection remains important. For others, cheap temporary measures can become an additional layer of safety. The researchers advise finding out about risks in advance, subscribing to flood warnings and including tape in an emergency kit - as a small but useful step in preparing for the elements.