Beautiful Plants For Your Interior
How to Find Your Home’s Best Water Storage Locations for Emergencies
Water is one of the most critical supplies during an emergency. While it’s important to store enough water, finding the right location for your supply is just as crucial. Where you store your water matters. The conditions in which water is stored can significantly impact its integrity, potentially compromising its safety and drinkability. Proper water storage helps protect against contamination, temperature fluctuations, and accidental damage to containers. Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious home, carefully choosing your storage locations can ensure that you’ll have access to safe, clean water during a crisis.
In this post, we’ll guide you through the key factors to consider when selecting the best storage locations in your home for food-grade water storage containers.
5 Steps to Consider When Selecting the Location for Your Long-Term Water Storage
#1 Choose Cool, Dark Areas
One of the most important factors in water storage is temperature control. Heat and light can degrade the water and the containers it’s stored in, leading to algae growth, contamination, or even plastic breakdown in food-grade containers. To ensure your water stays fresh and safe for use, follow these guidelines:
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Water containers exposed to light and heat can promote algae growth, degrade the plastic of containers, and lead to contamination or leaks. This is especially important if using food-grade plastic containers, which can break down over time when exposed to UV rays.
Store in a Cool and Dry Area: To maintain water quality, store your water in a cool, dark place, ideally between 50°F and 70°F (10°C to 21°C).
Best Locations
- Basement: If your home has a basement, this is one of the best places for long-term water storage. Basements are typically cool, dark, and away from the day-to-day activity of the house, which helps keep your water supply protected from accidental damage.
- Closets: In smaller homes or apartments, closets can provide a great space for water storage. Just make sure the closet is away from exterior walls that might experience extreme temperature changes in summer or winter.
#2 Elevate Water Storage to Prevent Contamination and Damage
Placing water containers directly on the ground increases the risk of contamination, damage, and freezing. Moisture from the ground can seep into containers, and chemicals or oils from the floor could degrade the plastic (see next). Additionally, in colder climates, concrete floors can cause stored water to freeze or cool down too much, impacting the water’s safety and usability. Preventing freezing is essential if you live in colder climates.
Use Shelving or Pallets: Elevate your water storage using sturdy shelving units, pallets, or by building a platform from 2 by 4s. This keeps the containers away from any potential moisture and makes it easier to monitor for leaks.
Prevent Freezing: Elevating containers off the ground using pallets or shelves can help prevent freezing. For additional protection from freezing, consider insulating them with blankets or foam to prevent freezing during the winter. Alternatively, store water in areas that remain above freezing during winter months.
Best Locations
- Insulated Garage: While garages can fluctuate in temperature, an insulated garage with water stored off the ground is still a viable option. Just be sure to elevate the containers and avoid placing them near chemicals or fuels.
#3 Avoid Storing Water Near Hazardous Chemicals
Water can easily become contaminated if stored near hazardous materials like chemicals, cleaning supplies, or fuels. Even sealed containers may absorb contaminants if placed too close to these substances. Ensure your water is stored far from any harmful products by designating a specific, clean area for water storage, such as a separate shelf in a garage or utility area.
Best Locations
- Laundry Room: If you have a laundry room with shelving or storage space away from detergents and cleaning supplies, this could be a great water storage location. Make sure there’s adequate separation from chemicals.
- Pantry: If space allows, storing water in your pantry is convenient and ensures it’s separated from harmful substances. Stackable water containers can be tucked into corners or placed on the floor under shelving units.
#4 Ensure Easy Access to Your Emergency Water Supply
No matter where you decide to store your water, the location must be easy to access in an emergency. In a crisis, you won’t want to dig through boxes or move heavy items to reach your water supply. Plan for quick, easy access so that you can act fast when you need it.
Plan for Emergencies: Think about possible emergencies and how easy it will be to get to your water. If you’re storing water in a basement, make sure it’s easy to reach, even if the power is out or if other items fall on top of your containers.
Spread Out Your Storage: Instead of storing all your water in one place, consider spreading it across several locations in your home. This way, if one area becomes inaccessible due to damage or debris, you’ll still have access to part of your water supply.
Best Locations
- Multiple Storage Points: Use a combination of locations like a basement, closet, and pantry to store your water. This redundancy ensures you always have access to a portion of your water supply, no matter what happens.
- Accessible Closets or Pantries: Storing water in a closet or pantry on the main floor makes it easy to grab quickly during an emergency. This is especially helpful if you have mobility issues or expect to evacuate in a hurry.
#5 Smart Water Storage Solutions for Small Homes and Apartments
Storage space for small spaces can be a challenge. But if you live in a smaller home or apartment, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your emergency water supply. With some creativity and planning, you can find storage space that fits your needs without cluttering your living space. Water is heavy—about 8.34 pounds per gallon—so be sure that any shelving or storage units you use are sturdy enough to handle the weight of multiple containers.
Best containers: stackable containers like water bricks, allow you to store multiple gallons of water in a small footprint.
Best Locations
- Under Beds: This is a surprisingly useful spot for water storage, especially in homes with limited space. Water bricks or 2-liter bottles fit neatly under most beds, keeping them out of sight but easily accessible.
- Other: Stack these in closets, cabinets, under furniture, or on utility shelves.
Conclusion
Choosing the right location for your water storage is just as important as the quantity you store. By selecting a cool, dark, and elevated spot away from hazards, you can ensure your water remains fresh and uncontaminated. Whether you have ample storage space or are working with a smaller home, there are solutions to fit your needs. Take the time now to evaluate the best location your home has to offer and make your water storage plan today. With a little planning and preparation, you can rest easy knowing that your water supply is safely stored and ready to use when it’s needed.
