Why do people advise against storing supplies on concrete floors? Is this scientifically based? It seems a little flaky to me but I'd like to know the reason. If the concrete floor rests on the earth, which they normally do, it seems that this could protect against freezing. Anyone have facts?

Charlie

-- Charlie McCarthy (monkey@prehensile-tail.com), December 16, 1999

Answers

Well other insulation probably accounts for more than that. Concrete can wick water, so most people like to get a few rows of 1x1's or a wooden shipping pallet to put on the floor. Of course if you have some heat in the building, putting it a few inches off the floor will keep it warmer (as well as drier).

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), December 16, 1999.

Charlie,

As Ken says, concrete tends to wick water and transfer the dampness to whatever rests directly on the floor. If the concrete was laid over plastic sheeting as is required by building codes in most places when there is a building over it, the problem is not as great. However, just a hole or two in the plastic negates this preventative.

I place things directly on my shop floor (concrete) without any ill effects, but I personally took great pains to be sure the plastic was not punctured prior to the pouring, which I did myself with the help of a few friends.

I have heard that automobile batteries placed directly on concrete will discharge more quickly, but like you, it doesn't make "scientific sense" to me.

Gerald

-- Gerald R. Cox (grcox@internetwork.net), December 16, 1999.

In addition to concrete being able to wick moisture, it also acts as a heat sump. It will normally be colder than the surrounding air, and if moist air is trapped against it (say, under the rim of a can of food) it will tend to form condensation. Some space for air circulation under stored items will allow them to stay dry.

regards,

gene

-- gene (ekbaker@essex1.com), December 16, 1999.

The one foolish thing I did during the earlier phase of my preps was to place one-gallon water jugs under some preps thinking that this would be sturdy on the concrete floor. The tops of a couple of the jugs collapsed and this lead to slow water leaks. Fortunately most of my nearby boxes contained only plastic-covered and canned items. For better or worse, the only thing I really lost were two boxes of salt which soaked up almost all of the leaked water. This is also why I didn't notice it for a while.

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), December 16, 1999.

We lost several (around 10) one gallon water jugs (store bought) recently. We had them placed on the concrete garage floor (even though I knew better). Slow leaks. Thanksfully we did not lose anything else.

So, it is not wise to place items directly on concrete flooring.

-- zeaal (do-dah@wondering.com), December 19, 1999.

As stated above, concrete is quite pored actually. It is often possible for roots to invade a pipe buried underground, especially if there are willows nearby. Heat and moisture transfers happen slowly but are inevitable, if circumstances warrant.

I am not sure of the science of it, but we have always been told not to sit or stand unprotected on concrete slabs for extended periods because this apppears to be a cause for the onset of hemmoroids. Ouch!

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), December 20, 1999.