Sandbags for Sale (Filled or Unfilled): 15 Stores to Choose From

William Lipovsky headshot William Lipovsky
Verified & Updated Sep 27, 2018

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Sandbags have been used by people to help prevent flood damage for hundreds of years. The basic design of sandbags relies on two factors; the inherently non-porous nature of sand, which catches and holds silt and fine particles from floodwater as it flows through, which makes the sandbags more effective over time, instead of less; and the fact that sandbags are cheap and easy to construct, making them perfect for emergency situations, where more high-tech materials may not be available.

Although the most common and well-known use for sandbags is to divert or contain flood water, sandbags have a number of other uses in construction, gardening, and even exercise. Regardless of your reason for needing sandbags, in this article, we’ll tell you your potential options and where you can buy them.

Where to Get Sandbags for Free

One final thing to consider is that, depending on where you live, especially if it’s somewhere that flooding is a regular concern, you may be able to get free sandbags for flood control from your local police, fire, or other safety officers, or from your local government. For instance, in Los Angeles, the Department of Public Works offers sandbags for free that residents can get from their local fire stations. It might be worthwhile to call your local fire, police, or other safety officials to check and see if a program like this is available near you.

Where to Buy Sandbags at Brick-And-Mortar Stores

Sandbags are fairly easy to find in most home stores, superstores, and even online retailers like Amazon. They are usually sold unfilled in bulk, from as few as 25 bags all the way up to 1,000. To get some idea of cost, a pack of 50 unfilled sandbags will usually run you $20-$50, with a small bulk discount as the number increases. Some companies also offer pre-filled sandbag services, where they will deliver the sandbags to your location of choice. 

Ace Hardware

The Home Depot

Northern Tool and Equipment

Sears

TrueValue

Walmart

Where to Buy Sandbags Online

Amazon

  • Type: Woven polypropylene unfilled, sandless sandbags, exercise, multi-use
  • View sandbags

eBay

  • Type: Woven burlap filled/unfilled, woven polypropylene filled/unfilled, exercise, multi-use, sandless sandbags
  • View sandbags

eSandbags.com

Newegg.com

R E Williams Contractor Incorporated

SandbagsToGo.com

Note: This website has a minimum order requirement of 300 units

  • Type: Woven burlap filled/unfilled, woven polypropylene filled/unfilled
  • View sandbags

The Sandbag Store

  • Type: Woven polypropylene filled/unfilled, multi-use
  • View sandbags

ULINE

  • Type: Woven polypropylene unfilled, sandless sandbags
  • View sandbags

Choosing the Type of Sandbags You Need

There are two main types of sandbags used for flood control: those made out of synthetic polypropylene and those made of burlap, a natural fabric derived from sisal or jute fiber. In either case, the bags are loosely woven, tightly enough that they contain the sand held within but with enough gaps to allow water to saturate the bags.

So which type of sandbag do you need for your particular job? There are two factors to consider. How long do you need the sandbags to remain in place, and what kind of cleanup is possible or preferable when the project is done? Burlap bags are biodegradeable, making it possible to simply leave them in place, which can be ideal for remote locations or applications that don’t require reclaiming the space. Of course, the fact that they degrade means that they are less effective over time.

For long-term applications, synthetic bags are preferable, but they must be reclaimed after the project is complete, since the bags aren’t biodegradeable. This makes bags good for things like long-term shoring up and applications that may require re-use of the bags, such as ballast.

There is a third option for flood control, the “sandless sandbag,” which is a bag constructed much like a typical sandbag but filled with a synthetic particulate that expands on contact with water, creating the same effect as if the bag were filled with sand without any of the weight or mess. It should be noted that these types of sandbags tend to be much more expensive. They can be reused a few times before becoming ineffective, but where contaminants in the water (like chemicals or sewage) are a concern, the bags shouldn’t be reused, for health and safety reasons. Still, when you really need a flood barrier in the shortest amount of time, these bags may be a wallet (or even life) saver.

In Summary

Knowing where to buy sandbags can be a lifesaver – literally. No matter your needs, this list should provide you with some options. Once you have your bags (if you didn’t buy prefilled sandbags), the topic of how to make a sandbag is simple. Use a pre-bought bag and fill with locally sourced sand. Just make sure it’s legal to take the sand from where you plan to acquire the sand.

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