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Posted: 1/25/2014 8:47:16 AM EDT
[#1]
Everyone always seems to want to get all creative with their water storage. Let me save you a few years of learning/experimenting. Do what Coke, Pepsi, etc does when they want to store large volumes of food safe liquid, they use plastic 55 gallon closed top barrels. They're cheap (I paid $10 each off of craig's list, they had been used to store vinegar). Trust me on this, it is the way to go.
I also think it is a mistake to think you will have time to fill something up. Have your water ready to go all times. |
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Posted: 1/25/2014 9:41:26 AM EDT
[#2]
First... The barrels take up more room then I have. Second, I said this is for storm prep, not "oh the wolrd is ending, obama got a 3rd term". Strickly know a week before a cat5 storm.
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Posted: 1/25/2014 9:42:10 AM EDT
[#3]
OP, I agree with Readyornot.... but if you MUST wait till 2-3 days before the rain starts..
try this! Aquapod |
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Posted: 1/25/2014 2:11:44 PM EDT
[#4]
I have only one bathroom with tub/shower, so the Waterbob would cover the tub drain... I place a 33gal plastic trash can in the tub and fill with a hand shower wand prior to the storm....this still gives me room to stand in the tub and access the shower drain. . this water is nominally for bathing and flushing, but I have no issues with consuming it if the can is cleaned beforehand....I store about 13gal (I'm single) year round in a couple of the blue Coleman and Aquatainer jugs...I place another 33 gal plastic trash can under the eaves and let it fill with rainwater during the storm...
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Posted: 1/26/2014 12:20:54 AM EDT
[#5]
Where would you put the waterbed bladder when the time comes to fill it up? Just plop it on the floor, unsupported, in the living room? They're not really designed to be kept full without the support of the surrounding frame; you could very well end up with more water damage from the bladder than you do from the hurricane.
Amazon has bathtub bladders for $20... waterBOB Emergency Drinking Water Storage I'm really with readyornot, though. Emergency water should *always* be on hand, not something you rush to do before any given storm. There are too many things other than weather incidents that can happen to interrupt your water supply, and assuming you'll always have advance notice isn't realistic. |
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Posted: 1/26/2014 7:49:56 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
First... The barrels take up more room then I have. Second, I said this is for storm prep, not "oh the wolrd is ending, obama got a 3rd term". Strickly know a week before a cat5 storm. A 55 gallon barrel takes up approx. 3 sq. feet of floor space, I bet if you get creative you could find a spot for one. In regard to storm preps, I encourage you to not pigeon hole your preps. Don't think "This is a storm prep, and this is an earthquake prep, and this is an EMP prep, etc" Try to think in commonality of events. There are lots of shitty things that could happen to you where you would need water, only a few of those give any warning at all. |
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Posted: 1/26/2014 10:50:30 AM EDT
[#7]
+1 on the b.o.b.
and 
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Posted: 1/26/2014 11:08:05 AM EDT
[#8]
I think midmo is right, if you fill them without the supporting framework of an actual waterbed you may wind up with a problem.
How much water do you need to store and how small a place do you have to store it? |
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Posted: 1/26/2014 11:46:28 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryHey Black, Those water cans, are they Scepter brand or the knock off LCI? I think that's what the knock off ones are called. If they are them, how do they hold up? I have read a few reviews about altering them to make them more water tight and such. |
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Posted: 1/26/2014 2:39:25 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
So since I Live in FL I have to worry about hurricanes. So recently I thought about water bed mattress bladders as a easy to store dry until the day or 2 prior to a landing storm to store bulk water. What's your thoughts on that? I'm thinking is a large water Bob really. Back to the water bed mattresses: I'd be careful about the quality of the plastic used in making the water bed mattress. It might not be 'food grade' plastic, and if it isn't, it'll leech chemicals into your water. |
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Posted: 1/26/2014 5:16:42 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Hey Black, Those water cans, are they Scepter brand or the knock off LCI? I think that's what the knock off ones are called. If they are them, how do they hold up? I have read a few reviews about altering them to make them more water tight and such. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Hey Black, Those water cans, are they Scepter brand or the knock off LCI? I think that's what the knock off ones are called. If they are them, how do they hold up? I have read a few reviews about altering them to make them more water tight and such. buylci.com cans...five years and no problems. These things are durable! I have about every type of water can sold in the big box stores, and I will tell you that these are by far the best...although they are pricey, about $25 each IIRC, you get what you pay for. |
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Posted: 1/26/2014 6:04:51 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Where would you put the waterbed bladder when the time comes to fill it up? Just plop it on the floor, unsupported, in the living room? They're not really designed to be kept full without the support of the surrounding frame; you could very well end up with more water damage from the bladder than you do from the hurricane. Amazon has bathtub bladders for $20... waterBOB Emergency Drinking Water Storage I'm really with readyornot, though. Emergency water should *always* be on hand, not something you rush to do before any given storm. There are too many things other than weather incidents that can happen to interrupt your water supply, and assuming you'll always have advance notice isn't realistic. This is my concern, as well. There is a product meant for hauling water and adding water to the bed of a pick up truck that does not need the support of a frame. They are a much thicker, less flexible material than the water bed liner. Just make sure the floor where you fill it can support that kind of weight. link |
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Posted: 1/26/2014 6:16:12 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A 55 gallon barrel takes up approx. 3 sq. feet of floor space, I bet if you get creative you could find a spot for one. In regard to storm preps, I encourage you to not pigeon hole your preps. Don't think "This is a storm prep, and this is an earthquake prep, and this is an EMP prep, etc" Try to think in commonality of events. There are lots of shitty things that could happen to you where you would need water, only a few of those give any warning at all. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
First... The barrels take up more room then I have. Second, I said this is for storm prep, not "oh the wolrd is ending, obama got a 3rd term". Strickly know a week before a cat5 storm. A 55 gallon barrel takes up approx. 3 sq. feet of floor space, I bet if you get creative you could find a spot for one. In regard to storm preps, I encourage you to not pigeon hole your preps. Don't think "This is a storm prep, and this is an earthquake prep, and this is an EMP prep, etc" Try to think in commonality of events. There are lots of shitty things that could happen to you where you would need water, only a few of those give any warning at all. Put a pretty cloth on it, stick it in the corner of your living room, and put a lamp on it. |
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Posted: 1/26/2014 7:15:50 PM EDT
[#14]
Our gameplan for water is 10 cases of water bottles for short term needs and then 55gal drums we keep empty but can either fill up from tap if we have warning or fill up from the gutter if something sudden happens. Also don't forget the food grade pump to transfer the water.
Edited to add, we also have an airstream with its own water supply/pump which is pretty handy for emergencies and has the added bonus of being great for camping trips!  " />
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Posted: 1/26/2014 10:29:03 PM EDT
[#15]
I sell waterbed bladders, and I wouldn't drink out of them.
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Posted: 1/26/2014 10:56:21 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I sell waterbed bladders, and I wouldn't drink out of them. Drinking from those are not safe and will taste like a plastic factory. Might even make you puke. |
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Posted: 1/27/2014 4:10:54 AM EDT
[#17]
OP,
You really should use food grade containers for water storage. The military water cans from LCI are very good and can be stored in some out of site locations in your home. Other inexpensive containers; Gatoraid bottles, soft drink bottles, or juice drink bottles. One guy posted that he buys soda in 2 liter bottles in the 8 pack tray when the soda goes on sale. That helps in stacking and storage. |
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Posted: 1/27/2014 6:14:21 AM EDT
[#18]
BTDT. A waterbed works fine for emergency water. Just know, the polypro beds will have a heavy plastic taste. That being said, that plastic leaching is not a problem at all for flushing toilets and or washing. You'd have to make other arrangements for drinking water which is actually far less water.
The better mattresses, if you can find one, are the nylon. They're softer to the touch too but what in context, they leach far less. They're about twice the cost but worth it but in reliability and comfort. Treatment, simply use bleach and if the bed is used, the natural motion will keep the bleach mixed. Not everyone has the space to store barrels etc. In fact, I was living in an apartment in TX when I had to use mine for water after hurricane Alicia. A King, it was 200 gallons which was more than enough to flush our toilet, wash dishes, taking a bath, etc. for a week and still not bottoming out the bed at night. There's absolutely nothing wrong with separating your water storage by usage, potable and non-potable, and actually a better approach often. Tj |
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Posted: 1/27/2014 12:44:26 PM EDT
[#19]
I have my own ideas about water storage (not collapsible like the OP wants), but what about using something like a Lifestraw on the water that comes from the waterbed bladder?
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Posted: 1/27/2014 2:52:01 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
buylci.com cans...five years and no problems. These things are durable! I have about every type of water can sold in the big box stores, and I will tell you that these are by far the best...although they are pricey, about $25 each IIRC, you get what you pay for. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Hey Black, Those water cans, are they Scepter brand or the knock off LCI? I think that's what the knock off ones are called. If they are them, how do they hold up? I have read a few reviews about altering them to make them more water tight and such. buylci.com cans...five years and no problems. These things are durable! I have about every type of water can sold in the big box stores, and I will tell you that these are by far the best...although they are pricey, about $25 each IIRC, you get what you pay for. Thanks for the info. I have been planning on buying a few of these. |
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Posted: 1/27/2014 3:19:49 PM EDT
[#21]
Good info.
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Posted: 1/28/2014 4:59:10 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have my own ideas about water storage (not collapsible like the OP wants), but what about using something like a Lifestraw on the water that comes from the waterbed bladder? The problem is plastic polymer for the most part really isn't soluable so not charged and what leach hydrocarbon is will overwhelm the activated charcoal very fast. A ceramic filter would probably be best. What the water is like is like drinking from a Vietnam Era Army canteen that's had the water in there about three days in the sun. It not going to kill you but the taste is heavy plastic. If space is limited, its not that difficult to keep the bed for non-potable water uses and keep a single five gallon water jug for drinking and cooking. Most events are going to be a week max and most people would be really surprised how little water they use for consumption. On the other hand, they would be equally surprised how much water they use that doesn't involve consumption. Its also not that hard to utilize local natural water for non-consumption uses. Long-term, people need to be thinking a well or other more permanent solutions. Of course, I'd be quite bummed to try to get a cistern going in the desert from scratch. Tj |
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