Why yes, It's going to be a cold Christmas

12_Gauge_Chimp · December 25, 2022, 02:19:59 PM

Texas is ok. Temperatures are back up to about 52 or so degrees and the forecast is supposed to be warmer this coming week.

SCBrian · December 26, 2022, 09:42:45 AM

Charleston checking in.
Other than a few localized power outs, nothing really to report. Was in the low 20's last night, but trending upward and should be in the 60's and rainy by the weekend $:-\$
I think my Loquat tree will make it, but my wife's Hydrangea may not. In the wind Friday night the blanket managed to blow off and they took the full brunt of the temps. The plants secured in the shed will be iffy... We will see..
Plumbers working their asses off yesterday and today as most people apparently didn't understand the "Let the faucets drip" instructions...

Anianna · December 26, 2022, 12:03:06 PM

We finally hit above freezing! It's 34F here now!

Ever (Zombiepreparation) · December 26, 2022, 07:08:58 PM

Quote from: Anianna on December 23, 2022, 07:34:13 PM.... according to my husband's girlfriend (Alexa).

ROFLMAO

flybynight · December 28, 2022, 05:09:10 PM

My Daughter called to tell us that as the weather warmed up , they found that pipes had froze and burst, Part of their home was flooded. Her husband is stationed Ft. Stewert GA. It never gets that cold there and pipes burst all over the base

Anianna · December 28, 2022, 09:14:32 PM

It may be a little late for this event, but for the future:

If you are leaving your home during freezing temperatures and are on municipal water, turn you water off at the main, drain the system from the furthest/lowest sink, and flush the toilets so there isn't a lot of water standing in the tanks to crack the tanks. This ensures that not only is there not enough standing water in pipes to burst, but if a pipe does manage to burst, there won't be more water running through it to cause significant additional damage.

This works if you're on a well, also, but check if your bladder can be damaged by running the system dry. I was always told that our bladder could never be allowed to run dry at our old place. I was never certain how accurate that was at the time.

If you live in a place where the infrastructure isn't designed to handle freezing temperatures, do the same thing in anticipation of the freezing temperatures and just prepare for no running water for the duration even if you're not leaving.

Regardless of if you feel the need to drain the system in advance, always know where your main shutoff is and have the tools necessary to shut it off. That way, if you do have a pipe burst, you can shut off the water before it causes more damage. Where we live now, we have to have a water meter key on hand in order to shut the main off (you can buy one on Amazon or probably from a hardware store). In our old place, we had two shut off valves in the crawlspace because we had two wells and had to make sure to shut off both.

Finally, if you live anywhere that reaches freezing, always drain your hose before winter and make sure your spigots are turned off. If you have an individual shutoff to each spigot, shut them all off in preparation of winter. Hose bibs are generally the most exposed point in the system.

NT2C · December 29, 2022, 01:42:36 AM

It is usually (in my experience) illegal for the property owner to close that valve that is ahead of the meter. Anything at or before the meter belongs to the folks supplying the water, not the homeowner. This is why there is (by national code) a shutoff where the line enters the structure and that is the valve you want to turn off. Yes, you can buy what's called a "curb key" from Lowes, HD, Amazon, etc. to cut off the meter valve (I have one out in the garage from when I was a contractor) but making use of it can subject you to fines and prosecution.

Anianna · December 29, 2022, 03:10:11 PM

Quote from: NT2C on December 29, 2022, 01:42:36 AMIt is usually (in my experience) illegal for the property owner to close that valve that is ahead of the meter. Anything at or before the meter belongs to the folks supplying the water, not the homeowner. This is why there is (by national code) a shutoff where the line enters the structure and that is the valve you want to turn off. Yes, you can buy what's called a "curb key" from Lowes, HD, Amazon, etc. to cut off the meter valve (I have one out in the garage from when I was a contractor) but making use of it can subject you to fines and prosecution.

Yes, I understand that can be the case in some places and you have to figure out where your own main shutoff is. My house, assumably due to having been built 85 years ago, doesn't have a shutoff at the structure as many old houses around here seem not to. Our county is unconcerned with it being turned off at the meter (we used to call to get permission each time we needed to shut if off and they told us we didn't need to keep calling). I'm sure it's different in newer neighborhoods with newer up-to-code houses and, of course, there is probably some variation between localities/servicers as well. The differences are why it is important to figure out how it works for your own individual home before you need it.

NT2C · December 29, 2022, 03:20:02 PM

Quote from: Anianna on December 29, 2022, 03:10:11 PM
Quote from: NT2C on December 29, 2022, 01:42:36 AMIt is usually (in my experience) illegal for the property owner to close that valve that is ahead of the meter. Anything at or before the meter belongs to the folks supplying the water, not the homeowner. This is why there is (by national code) a shutoff where the line enters the structure and that is the valve you want to turn off. Yes, you can buy what's called a "curb key" from Lowes, HD, Amazon, etc. to cut off the meter valve (I have one out in the garage from when I was a contractor) but making use of it can subject you to fines and prosecution.
Yes, I understand that can be the case in some places and you have to figure out where your own main shutoff is. My house, assumably due to having been built 85 years ago, doesn't have a shutoff at the structure as many old houses around here seem not to. Our county is unconcerned with it being turned off at the meter (we used to call to get permission each time we needed to shut if off and they told us we didn't need to keep calling). I'm sure it's different in newer neighborhoods with newer up-to-code houses and, of course, there is probably some variation between localities/servicers as well. The differences are why it is important to figure out how it works for your own individual home before you need it.

Yeah, in NYC if you weren't a licensed master plumber and didn't have a permit (which could take hours or months to get, depending on how thick your wallet was), you risked actual jail time if you cut it at the meter. Same for electric (needed to be a licensed master electrician), steam, and natural gas.