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Prep for the next big freeze.

10,600 Views | 70 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by Hehateme1
Apache
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10:50a, 2/16/21
AG
Curious what the OB will do to prepare over the coming months for the next big freeze event (if anything)
Personally I'm going to get some tire chains and do a better job of staying stocked on bourbon.
Also- work on weatherproofing windows and doors. Drafts are VERY easy to find right now. Will help in the summer with cooling as well.
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lazuras_dc
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10:53a, 2/16/21
AG
Probably start keeping a stock of firewood at the house even though this is the first time I've ever used it in 10 years. Considering a generator as well.
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Snow Monkey Ambassador
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10:58a, 2/16/21
AG
I'm a big proponent of being prepared for things like this, but one thing I think everyone forgets in the heat of the moment is that this is a "once-a-decade" (or longer) kind of deal. Overreacting in the heat of the event is likely to be expensive and inefficient. That's not to say that some people couldn't be better prepared going forward, but like I told my wife last night - spending a ton of money to save a little bit of rare, time-limited suffering isn't always the best approach.
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Bigballin
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11:14a, 2/16/21
AG
Add a low point water drain to my pier and beam house.

Likely lost an exterior tankless water heater due to this ordeal because the power went out for 27 hours. It had freeze protection but doesn't work without power and gas. Had one of the two. Hindsight was that I should have drained the heater, but didn't think about losing power the way we did.
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AggieMPH2005
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11:15a, 2/16/21
Adding a wood burning insert to the fireplace ( was wanting to do this anyway) and getting a transfer switch added to the house
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River Bass
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11:21a, 2/16/21
I have an older house with PVC, but I'll look into swapping out all of my exterior hose bibs for frost free bibs where possible. Maybe even install isolation valves where possible so that I can turn offer certain areas.

Freezing events / burst pipes are not rare in Texas. They happen almost every year. This may be the straw that broke the camels back for me though.

I'll buy additional electric heaters to run off the generator or catalytic heaters for use in a pinch.
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AgBQ-00
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11:23a, 2/16/21
AG
Looking at changing our non functioning gas log fireplace for a wood burning stove/heater and whole house generator
You do not have a soul. You are a soul that has a body.

We sing Hallelujah! The Lamb has overcome!
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bryanhome
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11:24a, 2/16/21
You can drip you Faucet but how do you keep the toliet line from freezing up? I guess you could put something to keep the flapper from shutting all the way and it would run constantly.
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Alta
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11:28a, 2/16/21
AG
Whole home generator. I've thought about it for awhile but would like to wait until we move to a new house to have it installed. That's honestly more for summer outages than this type of situation though.
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combat wombat™
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In reply to Alta • 11:43a, 2/16/21
AG
Alta said:
Whole home generator. I've thought about it for awhile but would like to wait until we move to a new house to have it installed. That's honestly more for summer outages than this type of situation though.


We've been wanting one but are looking for s new home... don't know when we'll find it. In the meantime, we've evacuated to my Mom's house, which is being powered by her Generac.

Both houses are without water, but we've been without water for much longer.
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highvelocity
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In reply to Alta • 12:50p, 2/16/21
AG
will be doing the same in the next month or so. i have a feeling that this years storm season will bring with it some fun storms knocking out power in dallas again. we lost it for 3.5 days when the big storm hit at the end of 2019. would just like the piece of mind more than anything
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AgsMnn
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12:59p, 2/16/21
AG
Adding a wood stove heater to the shop and a switch at the power pole.

Might add a big propane tank.
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Bassmaster
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In reply to Alta • 1:01p, 2/16/21
AG
Alta said:
Whole home generator. I've thought about it for awhile but would like to wait until we move to a new house to have it installed. That's honestly more for summer outages than this type of situation though.
We bit the bullet and put one in last summer. It was nice not having to worry about the outages. Money well spent.
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kappmeyer
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1:01p, 2/16/21
Add a bug out room in the barn that is off grid. Not going through this crap again. And now, I'll be ready for the China invasion that F16 says is coming.
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dr_boogs
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In reply to Bassmaster • 1:05p, 2/16/21
AG
What kind of coin are we talking here? Definitely interested. We are on propane though. We might have to switch over to NG to do it which is also additional $$$.
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Bassmaster
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1:07p, 2/16/21
AG
Paid around $12k for a 22kw Generac.
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AGGIE WH08P
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1:17p, 2/16/21
AG
Don't think I want to pony up for the whole home generator. But I do plan on buying a 9,000 watt gas generator and have an electrician wire it to my breaker box. Should be big enough to run one AC in summer. Or pool pump in winter if this happens next decade!
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Bottlerocket
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In reply to AggieMPH2005 • 1:20p, 2/16/21
AG
AggieMPH2005 said:
and getting a transfer switch added to the house


Is this so you can use a portable generator on some items? I was reading about hooking up a portable generator to the pool pump and I discovered that (a) that is way above my knowledge of electricity and (b) everyone said you need a transfer switch to avoid backfeed
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AgResearch
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In reply to Bottlerocket • 1:28p, 2/16/21
AG
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bam02
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2:38p, 2/16/21
AG
-big stock of firewood.
-plenty of bourbon
-battery powered radio
-lots of small Coleman propane bottles
-couple of giant frustrating high saw puzzles
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AgResearch
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In reply to bam02 • 2:41p, 2/16/21
AG
bam02 said:
-lots of small Coleman propane bottles
National shortage right now. Ice fishing country is pissed.
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docaggie
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In reply to Bigballin • 2:46p, 2/16/21
AG
Bigballin said:
Add a low point water drain to my pier and beam house.

Likely lost an exterior tankless water heater due to this ordeal because the power went out for 27 hours. It had freeze protection but doesn't work without power and gas. Had one of the two. Hindsight was that I should have drained the heater, but didn't think about losing power the way we did.


I think I did too
Planning to ask the plumber about these solenoids that will open when losing power and drain the heater.
Class of 1998;
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No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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AggieMPH2005
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In reply to Bottlerocket • 3:00p, 2/16/21
Yes. I have a portable 3500 watt unit leftover from when I lived in Houston that is living at my parents house 2 hours away because I was tired of it taking up space in my garage in Flower Mound.

I will have an electrician install a transfer switch so it can't back feed and then build an enclosure for it. If I had that now I am pretty sure I could run at least 1 of my heaters and of course a few other things. Will eventually sell it and get a bigger unit. I found a Generac portable that is 17k continuous watts with 22k surge for $3k but a in all likelihood a $900 7500 watt unit is in my future
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Bigballin
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In reply to docaggie • 3:00p, 2/16/21
AG
I will check into that as well.
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Bottlerocket
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In reply to AggieMPH2005 • 3:06p, 2/16/21
AG
Thanks! I may look into some of that also. Currently have a 3500 W generator but no transfer switch. It's good enough to rotate a few appliances through and our electric tankless water heater, but not a whole lot and certainly no pool pump without the transfer switch
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P.U.T.U
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3:09p, 2/16/21
AG
Larger generator and fuel storage. I have a small 2500w one that someone a mile a way can hear. Luckily we have not had to use it yet.

Honestly since Covid started we stocked up on most of the essentials to survive a few weeks without any outside help.
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P.U.T.U
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In reply to P.U.T.U • 3:10p, 2/16/21
AG
Double post
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El_duderino
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3:36p, 2/16/21
A generator so we could live out of the Rv if need be
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water turkey
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6:36p, 2/16/21
"Don't think I want to pony up for the whole home generator. But I do plan on buying a 9,000 watt gas generator and have an electrician wire it to my breaker box. Should be big enough to run one AC in summer. Or pool pump in winter if this happens next decade!"

Buddy did this. Not sure the wattage. Spent about $2,000 all in including the wiring.

It will run everything in the house, including 2 furnaces, except the pool pump.

Seems like a pretty cheap investment. I plan to do the same.
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Texasyankee
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7:00p, 2/16/21
A generator. This is the third major loss of power for us in C-Stat.

Fortunately I'm a damn yankee and always have a house with a fireplace and plenty of wood.

Otherwise, nbd.
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wadd96
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7:04p, 2/16/21
AG
Generator for up here. Have one in Yancey, but it's 2.5 hours away. And fuel storage (10-20 gal with Stabil) and change out every 6 months or so.

Solar charging pack for cell phones.

Small space heater for the living room.

Battery operated radio. More flashlights and candles.

All the God's, all the Heavens, all the Hells are within you.
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CaptnCarl
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In reply to Snow Monkey Ambassador • 7:12p, 2/16/21
AG
Snow Monkey Ambassador said:
I'm a big proponent of being prepared for things like this, but one thing I think everyone forgets in the heat of the moment is that this is a "once-a-decade" (or longer) kind of deal. Overreacting in the heat of the event is likely to be expensive and inefficient. That's not to say that some people couldn't be better prepared going forward, but like I told my wife last night - spending a ton of money to save a little bit of rare, time-limited suffering isn't always the best approach.


100% this. If you lived through it once, you can live through it again. Why spend thousands when you can just got get a hotel room? Why do anything different when it all worked out the first time?

If it's not an electrical outage, it's a flood. If it's not a flood, it's a tree ripping off the roof. If it's not a tree in the roof, it's a frozen water main.

Sometimes we forget men are folly and we can never be prepared for this life.
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Pooh Ah
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7:17p, 2/16/21
AG
I confirmed that I will never own an all electric house.

It does not take a lot of power to fire up my natural gas heater and run the blower.

Need to plumb gas to the stove and get a gas range.

Always have gas for the grill, need to stock up on some dehydrated meals.
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FIDO*98*
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7:26p, 2/16/21
AG
Transfer switch. We have lots of extension cords and are getting by reasonably comfortably with our generator, but, a patch would make things much easier.

More frozen dinners/breakfast on hand. I stocked up on real food last week, but, cooking (or more to the point cleanup) is not awesome without running water.
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Barnyard96
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7:34p, 2/16/21
AG
Upgrading from Class C to Diesel Pusher.

Drain and shut off house, head for the Keys.
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