Washout prevention element for expandable metal sealing elements

A sealing apparatus for a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

• an expandable metal sealing element comprising a reactive metal and disposed downhole in a location, wherein the reactive metal is reactive with a fluid to produce a reaction product having a volume greater than the reactive metal;
• and
• a washout prevention element actuatable to prevent at least a portion of the reaction product from flowing away from the location.

A system for forming a seal in a wellbore, the system comprising:

• an expandable metal sealing element comprising a reactive metal and disposed on a conduit in a location, wherein the reactive metal is reactable with a fluid to produce a reaction product having a volume greater than the reactive metal,
• a washout prevention element and actuatable to prevent at least a portion of the reaction product from flowing away from the location, and
• the conduit disposed in the wellbore.