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How was your preparedness lacking?

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bmfvet
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6:45a, 2/20/21
AG
We fared pretty well all things considered. I was reminded that I never insulated the pex in the attic to/from the exterior tankless water heater. Thawing 20 ft of pipe in an attic space not made for someone 3' tall, much less 6'4" is not fun. I think one plastic connector in the hot water heater is toast. Hopefully that $40 part is it and we don't need to replace the whole unit.
Our drinking water supply was way less than I thought (she threw out some gallon reused bottles that would be very handy right now).
We had 20 boarders at our clinic, has been a struggle to get people there to care for them, and we've been without water there for 5 days and laundry over a week. Fortunately most of those are home now. I need to get some heat strips for the supply lines to the washers in the barn. 3 busted pipes at the clinic so far. I'm sure there are more. We'll find out today.
‘99
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hillcountryag86
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7:41a, 2/20/21
AG
Was in pretty good shape, I thought, with a fireplace. But, I did not clean it very often and the chimney fire kept us from having any more fires. Fortunate we didn't lose the house. Lesson learned -- have your chimneys / stove pipes cleaned once a year.

Every truck I've ever owned was 4WD. Was essential a few times on the patchy roads, and getting to livestock to feed and break ice.
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hopeandrealchange
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7:54a, 2/20/21
Once again, unintended consequences.

Everyone I know that did not already have one is talking about a home generator. How great will that be for the environment? Instead of one large, efficient, regulated, gas fired power plant in a large area we will have one small gas fired power plant in every back yard.

I will be watching GNRC the next couple of years.

Instead of our Government managing this in a reliable efficient manner they have once again forced us to handle things on our own. I am very proud to say when a friend asked what we wish we had during this adventure and were we prepared. I was able to say we needed nothing extra we had everything we needed. And stayed rather comfortable.
I was taught to be prepared to give my family the basic needs at all times and not depend on anyone for those needs in the short term.

It is hard to be charitable in a crisis if you can't meet your families immediate needs first.
Think about the performance and management of our Power generation the next time you hear our Government talking about gun control. I will give up my generators long before I give up my guns.
Thaw out and wake up America.
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hillcountryag86
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In reply to hopeandrealchange • 7:56a, 2/20/21
AG
hopeandrealchange said:
Once again, unintended consequences.

Everyone I know that did not already have one is talking about a home generator. How great will that be for the environment? Instead of one large, efficient, regulated, gas fired power plant in a large area we will have one small gas fired power plant in every back yard.

I will be watching GNRC the next couple of years.

Instead of our Government managing this in a reliable efficient manner they have once again forced us to handle things on our own. I am very proud to say when a friend asked what we wish we had during this adventure and were we prepared. I was able to say we needed nothing extra we had everything we needed. And stayed rather comfortable.
I was taught to be prepared to give my family the basic needs at all times and not depend on anyone for those needs in the short term.

It is hard to be charitable in a crisis if you can't meet your families immediate needs first.
Think about the performance and management of our Power generation the next time you hear our Government talking about gun control. I will give up my generators long before I give up my guns.
Thaw out and wake up America.
Don't really care about the environment when my family is freezing.
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45-70Ag
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7:59a, 2/20/21
AG
My wife's aunt and uncle live on tiveydale road about 14 miles outside of Fredericksburg. Their power went out last Friday and they've been told it could be another two to three weeks before it's restored.

I'd be homicidal if i had to wait a month.
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alittleright
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In reply to Strongwind86 • 8:47a, 2/20/21
Strongwind86 said:
We did pretty well overall.

The one thing that I'm looking at are the portable battery "generators" for multiple charging electronics, etc.

Started a post to see what others have used.
Topic - portable battery generators

What brand/model do you have?
I have the HALO's. They can jump a car/boat or recharge your phones.
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Picard
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In reply to DrSocrates • 9:57a, 2/20/21
AG
DrSocrates said:
Picard said:
JSKolache said:
....
exterior pipes wrapped (w/ pipe heat cable on the main)
....

Tell me more about this please. Looking for recommendations on some way to do more than just wrap the hose spigots in the future...some sort of heated option other than the C9 incandescent Christmas lights I used.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EasyHeat-AHB-24-ft-168-Watt-Pipe-Heat-Cable/1065635

available in different lengths.


Thank you!
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docb
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10:06a, 2/20/21
AG
Thankfully I was well prepared. I will definitely keep a better stock of plumbing supplies on hand. Didn't need more than what I had but I really only had leftovers from previous jobs. I will also buy a 40 gallon propane tank to keep in reserve and make sure I keep about 15-20 gallons of gas and diesel at the house. Maybe pick up a few heat lamps to put around notoriously problematic plumbing even though it is well insulated. And that being said I'm going to install a propane house generator and put in another 2000 gallon tank. Lastly I'm going to get my crap better organized in the garage so I'm not digging through a bunch of crap to find a plumbing fitting!
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BrazosDog02
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In reply to Comanche_Ag • 10:11a, 2/20/21
AG
Comanche_Ag said:
AlaskanAg99 said:
The number of people who do not understand wood burning fireplaces are essentially for decoration only.

They are not designed to heat your home.

https://hearthandpatiostore.com/know-shopping-replacement-fireplace/
I don't think fireplaces are the most efficient heat source, but they do work. We were completely out of power for 3 days. We hung up a couple of sheets to block the doorways and our full masonry fireplace did a pretty good job of heating the room.


They've been keeping people warm since before Homo sapiens even entered stage left.
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Build It
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10:17a, 2/20/21
AG
My 15000 watt generator was stuck in storage by my office. I could not get there. Transfer switch will be added to house and generator will be stored in garage before hurricane season starts. I've a rain barrel and a pool so water situation is good. My double pane windows were a life saver. Fireplace and stove top kept the house at 64 degrees. No battery powered radio was a problem. Wife was about to drive me crazy. My hurricane lamps were awesome. Highly recommend you get some and the oil stores for years.
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JSKolache
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In reply to DrSocrates • 10:30a, 2/20/21
AG
DrSocrates said:
Picard said:
JSKolache said:
....
exterior pipes wrapped (w/ pipe heat cable on the main)
....

Tell me more about this please. Looking for recommendations on some way to do more than just wrap the hose spigots in the future...some sort of heated option other than the C9 incandescent Christmas lights I used.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EasyHeat-AHB-24-ft-168-Watt-Pipe-Heat-Cable/1065635

available in different lengths.


Exactly what I bought at lowes last Friday. I got a 6ft for like $25. Wrapped main line in and one adjacent hose bib with it. Covered with std foam pipe wrap and some bubble wrap.
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AggieGunslinger
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In reply to hopeandrealchange • 10:42a, 2/20/21
AG
I am confused by your post, after this debacle you want more govt. control?
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Ulrich
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10:54a, 2/20/21
Single paned windows. I swear the wind blows right through them.
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hopeandrealchange
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In reply to AggieGunslinger • 11:01a, 2/20/21
Absolutely not.
I apologize for not being clear. I was in a hurry and did not communicate my point at all.
I would support many gas powered plants. To replace the worthless subsidized wind energy.
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mm98
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11:09a, 2/20/21
AG
Did very good. Generator was put into use the first time and ran for about 15 hours. Ran 3-4 space heaters, refrigerator, several electronics, and never got over 65% capacity.

Next investment will be a professionally installed transfer switch and a gas stove. Also Need to DIY some insulation around the door frames, bay windows, and behind some electrical boxes.

Prob need to buy more emergency water. And restock some beer.


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BQ_90
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11:11a, 2/20/21
AG
I didn't lose power but now thinking I'm not sure how I could get power from generator outside to heater inside without leaving door open. Normally I'm thinking of summer time losing power so having window or door cracked for extension cord isn't a bid deal. But in winter they would be huge issue

Anyone know of kit to put access hole in door going to garage to allow for extension cord to go the door into the house?
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htxag09
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In reply to BrazosDog02 • 11:15a, 2/20/21
AG
BrazosDog02 said:
Comanche_Ag said:
AlaskanAg99 said:
The number of people who do not understand wood burning fireplaces are essentially for decoration only.

They are not designed to heat your home.

https://hearthandpatiostore.com/know-shopping-replacement-fireplace/
I don't think fireplaces are the most efficient heat source, but they do work. We were completely out of power for 3 days. We hung up a couple of sheets to block the doorways and our full masonry fireplace did a pretty good job of heating the room.


They've been keeping people warm since before Homo sapiens even entered stage left.

The amount of people lecturing others that fireplaces don't heat your whole home has been hysterical to me. No ***** Most people aren't wanting to hear their whole homes. The rest of their house is at or near freezing. They want to to have a fire to sit/lay in front of it and not freeze to death.
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JSKolache
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In reply to BQ_90 • 11:43a, 2/20/21
AG
BQ_90 said:
I didn't lose power but now thinking I'm not sure how I could get power from generator outside to heater inside without leaving door open. Normally I'm thinking of summer time losing power so having window or door cracked for extension cord isn't a bid deal. But in winter they would be huge issue

Anyone know of kit to put access hole in door going to garage to allow for extension cord to go the door into the house?

Transfer switch for a generator wires directly info your breaker panel so you can run whole circuits and don't need to run cords. Might work for you
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BQ_90
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In reply to JSKolache • 11:57a, 2/20/21
AG
Looking for less expensive option. No doubt that will work
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Ulrich
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In reply to BQ_90 • 12:30p, 2/20/21
I think that electricity is one of those things where the cheap option tends to be more expensive and a lot more dangerous over the long run.

Sincerely,
a homeowner who has discovered some horrifying things behind the walls.

Plumbing and exterior materials are the other two. My house was originally built like a tank, but 30 years of slipshod maintenance and workarounds left some doozies for me to spend tens of thousands of dollars fixing.
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fire09
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12:34p, 2/20/21
AG
I needed one more 50' extension cord, 3 more seasons of deadliest catch, and a space heater. Other preps were sufficient.

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BQ_90
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In reply to Ulrich • 12:59p, 2/20/21
AG
Ulrich said:
I think that electricity is one of those things where the cheap option tends to be more expensive and a lot more dangerous over the long run.

Sincerely,
a homeowner who has discovered some horrifying things behind the walls.

Plumbing and exterior materials are the other two. My house was originally built like a tank, but 30 years of slipshod maintenance and workarounds left some doozies for me to spend tens of thousands of dollars fixing.
I don't want to wire my generator into my electrical panel. Not sure the generator is big enough to power much

I want to run fridge in summer and fans then space heater and lights in winter

My generator will do that. My issue is running extension cord from outside to inside without have door open

I think I can install RV cable box from garage to utility room to run extension cord

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BGJWA2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MCSJJG4BD9KJA35FW83P
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DavisGary88
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1:04p, 2/20/21
We did well. Played lots of board games by the fireplace. I have 5 Anker power banks that I bought for a trip to Disney. They came in handy this week as we had no power for 48 hours. We had plenty of food and water.
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SW-14
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9:12p, 2/20/21
AG
Did fine with food and water, clothing, batteries, candles, flashlights, etc., We've got a propane tank with gas stove so cooking was not an issue. The thing I was really starting to worry about was the lack of a heat source. Just moved into this house thanksgiving and it doesn't have a fireplace. When we lost power the furnace went out, even though we had the propane to run it. With no generator we were stuck in a rough spot, but fortunately the power came back on before it got too cold.
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FBG_Ag78
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11:14p, 2/20/21
AG
1. Transfer switch at the meter. Trees on the line so will be without power til co-op pulls a bucket truck in with a dozer. In the meantime welder plugged into 60 amp receptacle in the garage powers the house but not the pump house. Have gravity flow water from cistern but pressure and volume would be handy.
2. Firewood. Let the supply get low so we had to ration this week until restocking today.
Everything else was pretty well handled.

My self sufficiency score card shows room for improvement.
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docb
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In reply to SW-14 • 7:55a, 2/21/21
AG
A Mr Buddy heater and a 20 gallon propane tank will provide a lot of heat. I went through the whole tank this week. My other tank was empty when the week started which was my own fault. Gonna do better at refilling when they run out versus right before I need it.
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Drip99
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8:51a, 2/21/21
AG
I was well prepared. Stocked food, wood, gas in truck, pool pump covered and running , exterior hose bibs covered and heated. Then the power went out...and stayed out. After about 6 hours I came to the conclusion that it was not coming back on and drained the pool filter, pump and chlorinator which likely saved me from broken pipes.

Only issue so far is two ceiling fans that for some reason quit working...odd.
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LRHF
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9:41a, 2/21/21
AG
We did well, 7/10

TLDR- need to buy some pex and shark bite fittings. Would be nice fix my stuff or help neighbors in the future.

We live in Houston Heights and have a garage apartment without heat. Used a space heater and industrial work lamps to maintain heat until electricity went out. These devices overloaded the breaker and I had to use extensions cords through the window to the main house to split the load. No breaks but next time would just simply drain.

House- we never dripped below 50 in then living room with stove top and natural gas insert fireplace and have plenty of warm clothes.

Travel trailer- brought to the house as a backup. Watched movies at night using my 1000w Honda generator. Bought the Honda for a 5 month camping trip this summer, love it! Winterized my trailer then helped two neighbors who just bought trailers and were absolutely clueless on what to do. One popped the pressure relieve valve and opened low point drains and thought he had done pretty well...

We did end up with a copper line break below the house despite streaming water and flowing aggressively as needed. The break occurred where the copper line dripped down about 4" to drop below a beam. There was much less insulation at this spot and the cold found the weakness. I can now see more insulation under the house that needs to be carefully out back into position... should have caught this earlier.

We waited a couple of days after getting the copper line fixed to restore water (waiting on the last freeze). Had a good plan for flushing the lines and checking for leaks. A good friend of mine didn't think through this process critically and flooded his garage apartment (there was a break in a copper line in the attic). Betting he will have a $30k insurance claim.
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AGricola08
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In reply to 91AggieLawyer • 3:21p, 2/21/21
AG
Sorry quick question on the candles that don't put out much light. You mentioned you hope you solved with a purchase, are there special candles that are brighter? Again not being a smart a$$, just curious.
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Run N Shoot
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5:55p, 2/21/21
AG
-More/better power bank. The one I had ran a heating pad but It would not charge USB items simultaneously.
-Sleeping bags. Never replaced the ones I got rid of so that falls squarely on me.

Food, water, flashlights, batteries, matches, candles, etc. were good but if we did not go to my parents house with power it would have been a long three days. I know nothing about generators but after this I am going to read up and learn more about them.


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aggieforester05
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6:04p, 2/21/21
AG
I needed tire chains, snow shovel, propane brush clearing torch, rock salt because my steep driveway was solid ice under the snow. It took me six hours of breaking ice to get my wife's rwd car up the driveway.
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PA24
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6:14p, 2/21/21
AG
Never lost electricity but water lines froze up. Should have had the bath tub full of water in preparation of storm but didn't which could have been costly.

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Gilligan
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7:37p, 2/21/21
AG
Lots of great information on this thread.

It will be interesting to see who follows through with their plans.
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AlaskanAg99
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In reply to Gilligan • 8:26p, 2/21/21
AG
Gilligan said:
Lots of great information on this thread.

It will be interesting to see who follows through with their plans.


If in Houston to not be prepared is dumb. The big fear is a hurricane and if we get a massive wind event, power lay be lost for days/weeks. The winter event caught everyone by surprise but at least we weren't sweating.

Thr big eye opener for me was how much water is needed just for cleaning/sanitary needs.

Right just have to wait for supplies return to shelves to get busy.
aTm '99
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DeBoss
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8:50p, 2/21/21
AG
One thing I didn't mention but was the best was a reverse osmosis tank for drinking water. We went under a water boils for 3 days but because of RO, we always had easy clean drinking water and for brushing teeth. We use it daily for drinking water no matter what, bit I was even more thankful this time since it doesn't run in electricity and worked 100%.
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