It may come as a surprise only to those in the US whom are completely divorced from all media that a pretty significant storm is moving in and down through much of the U.S.
While the Meme Wars will always undoubtedly continue between Northerners gently mocking Southerners about their inability to handle "cold" weather and Southerners gently mocking Northerners about their inability to handle "hot and humid" weather, these sorts of weather events pose significant risks on either end of the spectrum to those who live in locales where their systems and structures are not designed to handle such extremes.
Eaton Rapid Joe, friend of this blog, actually did something about it.
He specifically made a post soliciting such information entitled "Bulletin Board: Tips for Surviving Cold Weather" and opened it up to the InterWeb, specifically asking for recommendations for those that regularly deal with such things for those that do not. What ended up was a list of tricks and techniques to help manage cold weather, especially intruding cold on structures and plumbing not designed for such things.
I note this post as this is a prime example of The Social Internet at its best: People across the country (or world) giving suggestions and information to others, without rancor or mockery or sly suggestions (the mockery can come later, of course). Undoubtedly someone will use something in that series of responses to somehow make them a little more secure in the upcoming bad weather.
Would that there was more Social Internet and less Social Media.
I live about as far south in the continental U.S. as you can get and it is scheduled to get down to the 20's for some hours. A hard freeze is not an annual occurance. So any advice to keeping our pipes from breaking is welcome. Thanks for making the post over there more available to the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI have had my pipes freeze 2 times here in south Florida, both times it was the short pipe coming in from the waterline, the ~2 foot section to the main shutoff from where it comes out of the ground and into the house. Had to thaw with a hairdryer. The FIX, Wrap that pipe with a piece of pool noodle. Or just get up when it's really cold run the water for a little bit.
DeleteWrapping pipes does help. Running water is good as well. We always leave it run in when it’s extremely cold. Great suggestions.
DeleteYou are more than welcome, and many thanks to the posters who followed up with additional suggestions.
DeleteI was listing to NPR yesterday talk about what was expected for your area and I hope it isn't a repeat of last time.
ReplyDeleteUp here, we don't worry about such things unless significant freezing rain is in the forecast which it isn't this time around. Our infrastructure can take cold weather pretty easily. But just in case, I will be doing my part and heating some of our home with wood in the fireplace tomorrow so perhaps someone else down the wires can crank their thermostat up a degree warmer.
Ed - According to Social Media, it is already hitting the states north of us, from what my acquaintances are posting. They appear to be far colder than we are. What may weigh in our favor this time is there is supposed to be warmer periods during the day instead of the blanketing cold - that is really what seems to wreak havoc here.
DeleteThis one of those times I truly wish we had a wood stove here.
Thanks for the exposure.
ReplyDeleteIt is events like this that prove we have the wisest, best-looking and most generous readers on the internet.
A big tip of the chapeau to those readers who commented.
ERJ - You are welcome, and it is exactly as you say: we do have some of the wisest, best-looking and generous readers on the InterWeb who know a lot of really useful things.
DeleteHats off to both readers there and here for sharing their knowledge.
The Feral Irishman linked here. You'll get lots of exposure now. Good stuff. Thanks for the heads up. I've been working for a week to get ready for this. I still have things to do. My forays into "plumbing for the physically impaired" left some open spots in the house's armor. I gotta get that sorted, mo ricky tick.
ReplyDeleteSTxAR - Thanks for letting me know; I wondered why all of a sudden my numbers had shot up (one of those moments where I think to myself "Did I forget to edit and post something highly questionable?").
DeleteNa Clann and I laid in some additional staples earlier this week in preparation and I have today off, so I can finish off getting ready. Hope your plumbing makes it!
It was -41° C this morning when I got up. Furnace never stopped most of the night. Ah well, gonna hunker down and read today. Make some cookies this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas TB, and to all visitors.
Polimath - That sounds....um...stunningly cold. We are not near that sort of thing and I am bundling up.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you as well and thank you for stopping by!
Do not depend on just one type of heat source. I personally have electric, wood, passive solar, and propane. cook using propane or natural gas (it will work even when there is no electricity). Stockpile enough groceries to last a LONG time. Going out to eat or being just what you need for tonight is ridiculous (and expensive). Keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible when there is no electricity, ( use ice or snow to keep things cold in that instance.) Fill the bathtub with water and save drinking water in the proper containers. Also water can be purified by boiling it and condensing it in any good container available. ( a pressure cooker with a cooling tube attached works just fine.) Keep a firearm and ammunition readily available to discourage any rodents that may show up to relieve you of your preparations. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteUryaLeeds - All very sound suggestions. We are fortunate that are on propane here at least for cooking and our piping - the biggest risk we run - is relatively safe from freezing. We did a grocery run two days ago in preparation for this event and will top off on the way home tonight. The pets are also stocked up.
DeleteThank you for stopping by!