Rookie Prepper Water Storage Mistake

This is why you should not store water in "milk" style gallon containers. They WILL break. In spite of the so-called expiration date and claim that you can stack the cases 9 high, these containers are not meant for any type of longer term storage.

We made the rookie mistake awhile back by buying these things. Now we're paying the price. We had 3+ months supply of water stored for our household's people and pets - that's a lot of water! The leaking began this past fall - several months before the supposed expiration date stamped on the cases. We ended up tossing out a bunch of containers and had a mess to clean up. Even though we've made somewhat of a conscious effort to use our stored water - apparently we're not using it up quick enough as we seem to have had another mishap as you see in the video.

From now on, the dogs will strictly be drinking bottled water! We gotta use this stuff up!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• prepping
• preppers
• preparedness
• water storage

[archangelzzzz56]

I enjoyed your input. Please ignore the schoolyard type bully's that will never grow up and hardly anyone likes a bully. Sinse a bully isn't well liked in the population then I would say that their opinion is worthless anyway. All they know is how to tear down things and people and I consider that worthless. Don't you? Again thanks for taking the time to warn others so we do not make the same mistake. That means alot to me.

[beagalulu2]

@archangelzzzz56  thanks.

[07Cav]

Eh... maybe you should use your common sense more often. Or apparently not so common sense. Your logic on both accounts (stacking and expiration date) is baffling. Not trying to insult you but that box could say DO NOT STACK MORE THAN 100 BOXES HIGH and have an expiration date of a thousand years... it doesn't matter. My kids are smart enough to tell you that it's probably not a good idea to stack any kind of water nine rows high one over the other. Sheesh.

[beagalulu2]

@07Cav Common sense tells me that if a product manufacturer states "do not stack more than 9 high," that stacking 3 high should not be a problem (and it wasn't the stacking which caused the leakage - see my next point...) Common sense tells me that if a product manufacturer, or bottler in this case, stamps an expiration date of 2 years on their packaging, that the packaging itself would not biodegrade in less than 2 years. Sheesh yourself.

[kingcahoj]

It's clean water in a sealed container, are you seriously worried about the expiration date?

[beagalulu2]

@kingcahoj um, no, that's not the point I'm trying to make. wouldn't you think that if a company were so bold as to put a "date" on their product that the container they put it in would at least last until the date??? kinda false advertising, isn't it?

[bvensko]

Maybe someone can build you a 2x4 framed shelving unit for your closet, then stack two high per shelf. That might resolve the crushed box issue. Good luck with your supply.

[sic615]

the nine cases high is for shipping not long term storage. i would suggest the 24 packs of bottles. you can stack them higher longer. the whole bed of nails thing. about 26 lbs per 24 pack over the 24 points of contact VS about 48 lbs per 6 gallon case with 6 points of contact. not sure how much the 6 gallon case costs but a 5 gallon jug at wal mart is about 5 bucks and those are pretty strong. either way keep prepping! :)

[GrayHatLinux]

Better off going with 5 gallon pails. Lesson learned though. Oh, and if you're planning on digging in and staying in the house should something happen, I recommend modifying a garbage can lid to fit your rain gutter system so you can collect water in large amounts should the need arise. Just letting you know.

[cudaclan]

My bed is rated to hold 400 lbs. but I know if I remain on the bed for an abnormal amount of time, I run the risk of bedsores. Those limitations are intended for stock rotation. Retailers would lose money without quick turnaround. Cardboard absorbs moisture and loses its rigidity.

[TRAUMAMAMMA911]

@bjf2008 Why do you assume that this woman is ignorant? Have you never made a mistake, nonetheless admitted it to the whole world? I give her Kudos for sharing her lesson learned.

[TRAUMAMAMMA911]

@bjf2008 Why are you yelling?

[TRAUMAMAMMA911]

@me86680 Small bit of info....you spelled preparation wrong.....another know it all. "Better to keep your mouth shut and appear to be a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt". Another meanie bites themselves in their own butt.;

[TRAUMAMAMMA911]

@ravenbones1 Good to know! That makes sense....Thanks for the info!

[TRAUMAMAMMA911]

@ravenbones1 Good info...that makes sense. Kinda like pressure points. I get it! Thanks!

[TRAUMAMAMMA911]

@07Cav Not trying to insult her??? Now,THAT is baffling. By the way,"Eh and Sheesh" are not real words. And you are breeding?? (This was an experiment in trying to be mean...how's I do? Probably not very well, I'm afraid...none the less, if anyone deserves mean words, it would be 07CAV). She was obviously trying to help others learn from her mistake...we all make mistakes (except, in your own mind, probably you).