This Revolutionary Barrier Can Protect Your Home and Family From Floods
Cheriza Manalang and her husband Lorenzo were scrolling through Facebook one day in August last year when they chanced upon a viral video. It was about a new flood protection management system that was revolutionary primarily because of its simplicity.
The product, called Dam Easy Flood Barrier, is a proprietary protection barrier that can be installed in most doorways to prevent flood waters from seeping in and damaging property inside the home. The video resonated with many Filipinos because of the all-too-real problem of frequent flooding in many parts of the country.
“We thought we needed that product because our house in Taytay was prone to flooding,” Cheriza Manalang says. “So we sent an e-mail inquiring about it.” The former Emirates flight attendant also sensed a business opportunity and decided to shoot a second email to ask whether the company had any distribution channels in the Philippines.
The couple started corresponding with the Ireland-based company called All Weather Industries (AWI) and within a couple of months, they were awarded the rights to distribute Dam Easy in the country.
Dam Easy is an off-the-shelf product that users can install in most doorways and essentially acts like a dam to keep out floodwaters. The product bears a unique pneumatic seal that requires no tools, fixings or sealant to install. Users just need to position it in the doorway, extend the side panels and inflate the seal to ensure that water does not seep through. Afterwards, there is a valve that deflates the seal when it’s no longer needed.
According to the product description, Dam Easy can cover widths from 780 to 1,100 millimeters and can extend and connect with two or more other barriers to cover up to 3,300 millimeters or more.
The product is currently being sold in 28 countries through 21 distribution partners as well as online, says AWI CEO and co-founder Brian Mooney.
“When the video first started going viral, Mooney said they had 30,000 inquiries from the Philippines alone about the product,” said Lorenzo Manalang. “So just imagine if even a small percentage of that actually bought the product. We really felt that it’s a good fit here in the Philippines, where, sad to say, flooding has almost become a reality of life.”
Manalang said while most industrial flood management systems require more painstaking analysis and installation from certified experts and contractors, Dam Easy is an easy and effective way for any home or business owner to protect against flooding.
“A typical flood management system from a professional would cost at least around P80,000,” Manalang said. “Dam Easy costs just P49,999 and you can install it yourself. It’s an easy choice."
For inquiries, visit dameasyph.com
