Hiding Your Stockpile

When building your stockpile of supplies, you have to consider where these will be placed.

You have to consider several aspects, from the types of supplies to the place of storage. You will consider several areas in your home, such as your pantry, attic, and basement. 

Why should you never hide your stockpile in the basement? Because it is susceptible to pests and floods, among other foreseeable disasters.

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Read on and know the details about it and other reasons. We will also look at more appropriate storage options other than the basement. 

Mold And Pests Are Common In The Basement

We aren’t saying that the basement doesn’t have its merits as a storage area for stockpiles of supplies.

Most basements have plenty of extra space in which to set up several AmazonBasics 5-shelf storage shelving units.

These shelves can be filled with canned and preserved food, water cans, and other necessities.

The typical basement is also cold and dark, the perfect place for storing light-sensitive supplies.

During an earthquake, it’s also the area of the house with the least shaking movements. The stockpile of supplies will then be safer here than, say, in the kitchen pantry.

But these pros are outweighed by the cons! First, humidity is a common issue in a basement since it is underground with high moisture levels.

The temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, too, when food items are stored in the basement.

The higher the humidity, the greater the risk of mold growth. Food stored in cardboard boxes becomes moldy in no time at all!

Second, the basement is also susceptible to pest infestation. Name it – rodents, including rats and mice, cockroaches, and ants – and it will find a good home in the basement.

You don’t want to go down there and find your stockpile eaten by these pests!

Floods And Fire Can Happen

Basements are also prone to flooding because of their underground location.

You might not live in an area where flood usually occurs, but Mother Nature is unpredictable and artificial disasters are possible.

You may have taken precautions to flood-proof your home and its basement, but these may not be enough.

If a flood happens in your home, your basement will be the first to be deep in water.

There goes many of your stockpiles of supplies floating in murky water and rendered useless. You might be able to rescue some of the supplies, but the rest became a waste of money. 

What about a fire in your home? Your stockpile in the basement may also not be spared!

You may think that basement will largely be spared because of its underground location, but it likely won’t be.

Conclusion

You can, of course, keep a small stockpile of non-perishable, waterproof supplies in your basement.

But we suggest keeping a few other stockpiles in other places. This way, you don’t place your eggs in one basket and end up with nothing when SHTF.

You can keep a stockpile in a storage unit and a root cellar, even a survival shelter. With a root cellar, you have plenty of space for your stockpile.

3You can use it as a survival shelter, too, since it’s generally safe from hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes. Its best feature: It has the ideal conditions for storing food and water.