Products + Services

6 waterproof storage solutions to protect your stuff from flood damage

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By Austin Havens-Bowen  |
October 7, 2021 - 1:30PM
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Heavy-duty plastic bins and water-resistant bags are a must for many NYC basement storage areas.

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Lots of New Yorkers use their basements for storage, even though these spaces are prone to dampness and flooding—as many experienced with Hurricane Ida or Tropical Storm Henri. Even if you didn’t have any flooding in your basement recently, these massive storms should serve as a reminder to check out your basement waterproofing strategy.

It doesn’t take much time and small investment to protect clothes, electronics, and important documents in waterproof storage solutions like heavy-duty plastic bins and water-resistant bags.

You can also add weatherproofing products to your space to prevent flooding. For example, the Quick Dam flood barrier, which costs $27 at Home Depot, absorbs and diverts water and can be used at the base of a basement door.

For more products to protect your things from water damage, check out these six waterproof storage solutions.

Clear Weathertight totes, $13-$65

These storage totes from The Container Store feature an air- and water-tight seal made from urethane foam and also keep out  moisture, dirt, and pests. They have handles and are made to be stackable. They come in various sizes starting at 6.5 quarts. Currently there’s a 4.6-star rating based on 337 customer views. (They were also recommended to Brick by a professional organizer on how to flood-proof your basement storage space.)

Ziploc Big Bags, $19 for six  

These oversized Ziploc bags have a double-zipper enclosure to protect towels, clothes, and linens from getting wet. They’re also made from heavy-duty plastic to keep out moisture, dust, and pests and have built-in handles. They have a five-star rating on Amazon based on 2,064 customer reviews. 

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Doc Fortress fireproof and water-resistant document bag, $40 

This fireproof document bag is also made of water-resistant material to protect your passport and other important documents. It has three layers of protection with a zipper and Velcro closure and measures 15-by-11-inch so it fits all legal A4-sized documents, jewelry, and even small electronics. It has a 30-day money back guarantee and there are discounts if you buy more than one. 

Nite Ize RunOff waterproof pouch, $30

This medium-sized waterproof pouch is meant for traveling, but it’s an ideal size to store all of your small electronics and extra adapters (who doesn’t have too many of these?) that you want to protect from water damage. It’s tested to be waterproof in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. It also protects against dust and sand. It comes in two colors. 

BYG waterproof clothes storage bag, $33 

These 100-liter waterproof bags are made of a heavy-duty fabric with a waterproof undercoating to protect clothes and linens. It has a transparent window so you can easily find what you’re looking for—like your sweaters now that the temperature is dropping. They also fold up so they don’t waste space when you’re not using them. Amazon customers give it a 4.5-star rating.

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Husky 20-gallon waterproof storage container, $34  

This professional-grade storage container is both waterproof and dustproof. It’s also made of long-lasting materials for durability and the lid has a six points of attachment. There’s also handles on the side and holes to tie down the bin for safety. It has a five-star rating based on 505 Home Depot customer reviews.

 

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Austin Havens-Bowen

Staff Writer

Staff writer Austin Havens-Bowen covers the rental market and answers renters' questions in a column called Realty Bites. He previously reported on local news for the Queens Ledger and The Hunts Point Express in the Bronx. He graduated from Hunter College with a BA in media studies. He rents a one-bedroom apartment in Astoria with his boyfriend and their two cats.

Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.

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