Are Gun Safes Really Waterproof? Waterproofing Your Gun Safe

In our latest post, we delve into a critical aspect of firearm storage – the waterproofing of gun safes. “Is A Gun Safe Waterproof?” explores the important considerations when it comes to safeguarding your firearms from water damage. We address common questions such as whether moisture can penetrate gun safes, what makes a safe truly waterproof, and the best strategies for protecting your firearms from potential water-related harm. Discover valuable insights and expert tips to ensure that your firearms remain secure, even in challenging conditions. Don’t miss this essential guide on how to enhance the water resistance of your gun safe and safeguard your valuable firearms collection.

Wetness is one of the common causes of firearms’ disability. Many people assume that putting guns into gun safes is the best way to store them. But is a gun safe waterproof? Contrary to the advertisement, there is no utterly water-resistance gun safe. The seal of safes can’t prevent water from going inside. 

Let’s learn more about the water resistance of gun safes and how to keep your firearms dry!

Is A Gun Safe Waterproof?

Many safe manufacturers claim that their products come with water resistance. But in fact, most gun safes are not waterproof.

Gun safes are designed primarily to protect firearms from theft and unauthorized access. While they offer a certain level of protection against various threats, it’s important to understand that no gun safe is completely waterproof. This means that in the event of a flood or prolonged exposure to water, a gun safe can eventually allow water to penetrate its interior.

The reason for this limitation is the way gun safes are constructed. They are built to resist burglary and fire, but waterproofing them to the same degree is challenging. The seams, hinges, and locking mechanisms that make gun safes secure against theft are not airtight or watertight. Water can seep through these openings, especially when subjected to high water pressure, submersion, or prolonged exposure.

It’s essential for gun owners to acknowledge this limitation and take additional precautions to protect their firearms from water damage. This may include storing firearms in waterproof cases or bags within the gun safe or elevating the safe above potential flood levels.

Top 30 Gun Safe Manufacturers

The reason why gun safes are not waterproof

Generally, gun safes will use a seal named “Palusol Seal” around their door. This seal design is very flexible as it can expand in case of a fire. 

When the temperature is from 212°F to 302°F, it will start expanding. The use of this seal is to protect your items inside the seal from fire and smoke. 

However, the seal can still let water leak into the safes. Fully sealing your weapon repository is the only way to make it completely watertight. 

However, if your safe gets fully sealed, it may create massive pressure inside in some cases and become a bomb.

Which gun safe is waterproof?

There are only a few safes that have waterproof designs. However, they are not very popular, and their price is relatively high. 

The first choice we recommend is the Stack One in the Total Defense Series. Besides the water resistance, you can benefit from the fire rating feature of this safe. 

If a Stack One is not what you are looking for, you can consider a Wasach. This weapon locker is also a midrange low safe one. Like other safes of the same type, this one from Wasach is compact and convenient.

Check: Types of Safes

If you only need a small strongbox, you can consult the Sentry Safe SFW123CS. This gun repository is suitable for home use and also offers a watertight feature. 

How To Make Your Gun Safe Water-Resistant?

Though your safe is not entirely watertight, you can try the following solutions to avoid water damage. 

Put your safe in a higher place

In case of a flood, you first need to elevate the safes’ position. 

Many people place their firearm safes in the basement. This place is low and will be the first one to get flooded when natural disasters happen. So, it’s necessary to take the safe to a higher position. 

You can build a block with concrete or metal and put your gun locker on it. Metal platforms are more convenient because you can take them along with your coffer. 

It’s better not to use a wooden basement as it can get rotten. Moreover, wood is a flammable material and also an ideal place for insects like termites to hide. Besides, it’s pretty challenging to secure wooden platforms to the floor. 

You can build a block with concrete and put your gun locker on it.

Use waterproof paint

You can protect your weapon container from water damage by coating it with waterproof paint. Pay attention to the bottom as cheap safes often get corrosion in this place. 

Do Gun Safes Cause Corrosion?

Waterproof paint can help strengthen the outside of the safe to fight the humidity.

Build moisture barriers

Sometimes the items inside your safe still get damaged though the locker doesn’t connect to the floor. You can fix this problem by building a moisture barrier. 

The barrier should be able to bear the weight of your weapon coffer. You can use a rubber matt or invest in a vapor barrier. This video will be helpful if you want to install the vapor barrier. 

Fill all the holes

There are some holes in safes for air ventilation and dehumidification. These holes will let the water go inside the casket when there is a flood. 

Therefore, to make your gun coffer waterproof, you can seal off all these holes. You will need some high-temperature silicone caulk for this task. Then, find all the available holes and seal them with the caulk. 

Generally, the holes will situate at the bottom of each strongbox. This kind of caulk has high heat resistance, so it will still not get damaged in case of fire. For the door, apply some caulk on the under part of the door. 

However, when sealing the door, you need to be a bit careful. Otherwise, it will create more pressure and make it harder to open the door. 

You can seal off all the holes with the silicone caulk.

Make the interior dry

Dampness is the leading cause of corrosion and malfunction of safes. So, when it comes to moisture, you should pay attention to dehumidifying your repository from the inside. 

You can light a small bulb in the strongbox so that the temperature from the bulb can dry the moisture. Another method is using desiccant to absorb humidity. 

Put a bag of desiccant inside your firearm locker and replace it once a week. These beads will help you dry up the interior of your weapon cabinet. 

But the desiccant should not contact items directly in the vault as they have corrosive chemicals.

Desiccant

What Are Other Solutions To Protect Your Guns In Case Of A Hurricane?

Waterproof containers can help store your handguns in case of natural disasters like a hurricane. 

You can use buckets to put the buttstock or muzzle of the gun into. However, in case of a fire, plastic buckets won’t bear the high heat. So, after the hurricane, you can change the storage place of your weapons. 

Moreover, you can hang your firearms inside the safe to keep them high. You will need some hooks and fasteners to do this task.

Also, it’s better to protect your weapons with a coat of anti-rust solution and place them in a sock along with a bag of desiccants. 

Using safes that you can mount on the wall is an excellent way to keep your guns out of water. But the area of these safes is relatively tiny. 

No matter what containers you use to store your weapons, they need to have high heat resistance.

FAQs

1. Can moisture get into a gun safe?

Yes, moisture can get into a gun safe, especially in high-humidity environments. Gun safes are not airtight or completely waterproof, which means that moisture from the surrounding air can gradually find its way inside. This moisture can lead to issues like rust and corrosion on firearms if not properly managed.

2. What makes a safe waterproof?

A safe is considered waterproof when it has been specifically designed and tested to resist water penetration. This typically involves using specialized sealing materials, gaskets, and construction methods to create a watertight seal. It’s important to note that most gun safes are not truly waterproof, but some may have a degree of water resistance to protect their contents from short exposure to water or high humidity.

3. What is the best way to protect firearms from water damage?

To protect firearms from water damage, you can take several precautions. First, consider using a dehumidifier inside your gun safe to control humidity levels. Additionally, store firearms in moisture-resistant gun sleeves or cases within the safe. Elevating the safe off the ground can also help in flood-prone areas. Regularly inspect and maintain your safe to ensure it remains in good condition.

4. Are there waterproof gun safe accessories available?

Yes, there are waterproof accessories designed to enhance the water resistance of your gun safe. These may include waterproof covers, sealant kits, and dehumidifiers specially designed to combat moisture inside the safe. These accessories can be a valuable addition to your gun safe setup.

5. How to safeguard guns in flood-prone areas?

In flood-prone areas, it’s crucial to take extra precautions. Consider elevating your gun safe on a platform or placing it on cinder blocks to keep it above potential floodwaters. Store firearms in waterproof cases or bags within the safe, and regularly inspect and maintain the safe to ensure its seals remain intact. Additionally, having a reliable flood preparedness plan for your entire home is essential to safeguarding your firearms and other valuables.

Final Words

It’s hard to find an entirely watertight gun safe. To make your locker a secure place for firearm storage, you can try the methods we provided. 

A thumb rule is to make the safe resistant to humidity and high temperature from the outside, then go inside. Hopefully, the methods of making your gun containers waterproof will be helpful for you. Thank you for reading!