When water reaches the doorstep, an unexpected tool may help: wide reinforced adhesive tape. In laboratory tests at the University of Hull, it reduced water ingress through a door by 97–98%, performing better than a sandbag arrangement.
Researchers tested six types of doors, including wooden, plastic and composite ones. A specialised synthetic rubber tape proved even more effective, reducing leaks by 99%.
However, details matter: the result depends on the properties of the tape itself and the conditions in which it is used. Ordinary household tape may not have the same effect. And even high-quality tape will not protect an entire home from flooding. It is an affordable additional measure that may reduce leaks through a door, but it is no substitute for professional flood barriers.
