Crucial Ways To Keep Your Preps Safe From Water Damage

With this many rainstorms and natural disasters happening, you’d be crazy not to learn how to keep your preps safe from water damage.

It seems as though our world is quite literally crashing down around us. With so many hurricanes, floods, and other disasters ruining houses, cities, and lives, it can be easy to fall into the trap of feeling like there is nothing we can do to prepare for these situations.

However, although these events are known as “acts of God,” there are still things you can do to help prepare your stockpile for when disaster strikes.

With these tips, you can help ensure your survival food, tools, and gear stay dry, even in the midst of a torrential rainstorm. After all, what good are the preps you’ve painstakingly acquired if you haven’t gone the extra mile to waterproof them when the rains come?

I understand that certain areas are more prone to hurricanes and torrential rainstorms than others. However, it’s always a good idea to take basic precautions in case a freak rainstorm does come in, or if something starts leaking in your house and causes a flood.

Truly, every prepper can benefit from these…

Crucial Ways To Keep Your Preps Safe From Water Damage

Recognize The Difference Between Various Waterproofing Levels

Before you work on waterproofing your preps, it’s important to understand that “waterproofing” has different dimensions. You may not be correct in assuming that every piece of gear you have in your stockpile will effectively block out water. In fact, certain tools you have may be a lot better at this than others.

Here’s a few waterproofing levels you’ll likely come across when buying your preps:

Water-Resistant: Typically, this means that water droplets can fall onto the item without damaging it. However, this does NOT mean the tool is waterproof, or that it won’t experience damage in a rainstorm or flood. Do not submerge this item in water (unless it specifically tells you you can).

Waterproof: This typically means that you can completely immerse the item in water without damaging it. However, you may not be able to do this for very long, depending on the product. Plus, certain items (like watches) may list certain depths you can submerge them to without them breaking. However, this is often not a guarantee. When in doubt, don’t push your luck.

When it comes to electronics and perishable foods, it’s often best to spend the extra money and make sure each of these is certifiably waterproof.

Waterproofing Survival Food & Electronics

When it comes down to it, not every piece of survival gear you own needs to say “waterproof” on it. However, there are certain essentials that you shouldn’t compromise on.

For instance, electronics should say “waterproof” for obvious reasons. After all, since these items are expensive and likely won’t work again once they’ve hit the water, it’s best to spend the extra money on them to ensure you can use them as much as possible in an emergency. (However, there is a survival hack you can use to save devices from complete water damage – find out what it is here).

Perishable food also needs to be waterproof to ensure it doesn’t get ruined in a storm. After all, since man can only live about three weeks without food, you’re going to need every calorie you can get your hands on. You’d do well to put these in waterproof storage bags (or in plastic, locking tupperware) to help it stay fresh and dry until you can eat it.

On the other hand, things like non-perishable food and non-electronic devices often don’t require waterproofing for survival. For instance, things like canned and freeze-dried foods often already come waterproof (or water-resistant), thanks to their packaging.

However, when it comes to food that’s in boxes and packaging that isn’t impervious to water, you’ll have to put in a little effort to make it waterproof/water-resistant. One way to do this is to put these foods in buckets that have a lining of waterproof bags. You’ll need to keep the lids of these buckets securely on, and you’ll need to tie the buckets to something stable to ensure they don’t float away.

Here’s a video with more information on waterproofing your food:

Waterproofing Survival Gear

Although buckets work great for storing survival food, they’re far less practical for survival gear. After all, most preppers have very bulky gear (and a lot of it). Plus, this is something you’ll need quick, constant access to in a crisis.

Thankfully, you can often settle for making your non-electronic gear “water-resistant” when preparing for a disaster. This can be done by placing the gear in large, resealable plastic bags (or even tightly shut trash bags if you have very large items) and keeping them off the ground.

Keep in mind you can also store gear and food in your attic, or on the second floor of your building/home. Just make sure you can get to it easily when emergency strikes.

Prioritizing Items You’ll Use Most Often

When it comes down to it, there’s just certain survival items you’re going to need way more often than others. And so it’s smart to prioritize these by placing them in a spot where you don’t have to dig around for them in a crisis.

Sort through all your survival gear, and figure out which tools you’re likely going to need and use first (and most often). Then place these in a separate, waterproof bag that looks different than the other storage bags. Store this in a spot that’s off the ground and easy to get to. This will help ensure you have the tools you need right off the bat in order to survive.

In most cases, these steps will be enough to help save your preps in cases of flooding or excessive rain. However, these aren’t the only things you can do to waterproof your preps. Share your own waterproofing tips in the comments.