Oftentimes, basements are used for storage -- boxes of valuable stuff sitting scattered about the floor. If the basement ever floods during a storm, many of these stored valuables can be damaged or destroyed.

To prevent this, rather than simply stack the boxes on the floor, why not devise some sort of bouyant platforms that the boxes could be stored on? Then, as the water level in the basement rose, the platform would float, keeping the boxes of valuables above water level.

At its simplest, this could be done simply by using an inflatable pool raft, placing it on the floor, and setting one or two boxes on it. This would be limited though by the (lack of) stability inherent in inflatable rafts. A more stable (and super-bouyant, to handle heavier boxes) platform would need to be devised.

This idea could be expanded to a configuration of standard vertically stacked shelves, to conserve space. As the water level reached each consecutively higher shelf, that shelf would somehow disengage from the set, and then be free to float around the room.
-- PotatoStew, Sep 14 2000

US Plastics http://www.usplasti...Floating+Black+Dock
Floating Dock Support - up to 400 lbs [Jewell, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

I came up with a design for a floating house for flood prone areas - no way I can figure to get the basement to float though. Slabs of stackable styrofoam might work for you though.
-- Scott_D, Sep 14 2000


While flooding is the least of my worries, I do use those lidded plastic boxes that come in various sizes - some of the better ones are fairly watertight, and less expensive ones can sometimes be found at discount stores - you know, the ones that sell name brand knock offs in strip malls - McRory's, McFrugals, Family Dollar, etc. I've found some remarkable bargains in these places.
-- Scott_D, Sep 14 2000


You could affix some kind of bin or lipped "tray" with holes for tie downs to a floating dock support. See link to US Plastics.
-- Jewell, Mar 09 2003


Perhaps plastic wardrobes with air-tight doors would to the trick?
-- lostdog, Mar 09 2003



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