Time to get the home ready for winter. Here is a checklist of things you should do. Winter Preparation, Winter Preparation Checklist - Bob Vila
I noticed on the list above they didn't mention putting film over the windows. We have done this in the past but I am unsure if it really keeps the cold out or saves money.Any opinions on if this saves and helps with heating. One thing we did was invest in insulation and we insulated between the floor joists. We actually noticed that our floors were warmer. Plus while under the home, we wrapped all the pipes to insulate them.
wen doin the pipes dont forget about the hose bibs...{the part that sticks out of the wall that you hook your hose to} they sell little styrofoam thingies to put on them... and make sure your hose is empty ... If u need it and it has a slug of ice in it .. it aint gonna do u any good
If you have sinks on outside walls with cabinets and doors underneath when you get a cold snap run the water before bed and open the doors overnight or let it run with a small stream but opening the doors is cheaper. Frozen pipes are a pain.
We use the fancy new Plastic Heat Tape, to wrap our copper and Galvanized Pipes. It delivers 3watts per foot, and then we over wrap the pipes with foam Pipe Wrap, and the encase the whole thing in a Split PVC 2" Pipe, held together with Stainless Hose Clamps, and buried 3ft below the surface.... That keeps things liquid, down to -20f, with no power, and down to -50f when powered, Even when there is no Snow Cover on the ground. Ours is powered from the WellHouse, and only runs when the GenSet is running. We always pray for Snow, before the really Cold Wx arrives, as it helps insulate the ground from the extreme Cold...
For those Monkeys that live in Apartments and also home owners, here are some tips for keeping you apartment warm. How to Keep Your Apartment Warm | Apartment Prepper Some of the comments are helpful also.
Window films & plastic helps mostly by stopping drafts. We have cheap double hung windows and I've found putting blue painters tape along the horizontal edge where the upper and lower sections meet stops the little bit of draft we get. If you can feel a draft from the perimeter of the window then I'd put up the "window film" and that should stop the draft. We insulated the underside of the house when we moved in a couple years ago but had a frozen pipe when the crawl space got too cold because we insulated the floor. So I put heat tape & insulated wrap on the pipes closest to exterior walls and insulated everything else. No more frozen pipes even during a four day -20 cold snap.
I have had a hand in building a couple of vacation homes in cold climates. Big fan of pex pipe. If someone is going to build themselves a retreat or whatever in a cold climate only use PVC for waste lines and vents. Only use copper on stub-outs. Using PVC for water lines is just asking for trouble not to mention it is not code. Done right you should never have frozen pipes. Btw at this point in my working life i have installed miles of pex pipe and never had a fail if it is installed correctly, never.
Bump to remind people it is time to start getting your homes ready for winter. I also just found a prepper version of how to prepare for winter. Fall/Winter Preps: 10 Tips to Get Ready Fall/Winter Preps: 10 Tips to Get Ready | The Modern Survivalist
All ready started this last week! LOL Had 200 gallons of Jet-A delivered, and 2500 gal Diesel fuel. Drug out the Tucker and did a full inspection and track service ( I.E. cleaned out the grousers) got the fuel heaters drained and new filters installed, The Tucker also gets a nice detail and wax to keep the HoarFrost from building up, and new winter wiper blades! Had the Wife's car serviced and drug out the snow tires. The Jeep is all set and the tire chains were checked and repaired last season's end. Home is insulated and plumbing is all good, shop is the same. Gen Set is serviced and tested and is ready to go. Yard work never ends, all trees have been trimmed back, and the garden is just about done. Fruit trees are still producing until late Oct, so those will wait. Lower field is finally getting cattle now that my Bear has called it quits on the berries and moved on! LOL Need to bring the neighbors goats over for a few weeks to "trim" back the blackberries along the south side of the stream. Just put in the first of three orders for meat, one full beef butchered and packaged to specs, and two pig's butchered end of the month. Two more sides of beef later on. Got my Muzzle Loader tag's and will hope to fill both before Christmas! Wife also has a Rifle tag for Deer, so that should fill the freezers good!
I LOVE the winters here, Actual real winters with snow and all! LOL I come from Orygun, all we ever get is rain, rain, and more...............you guessed it, Rain! Once in a while, maybe a little snow, many times ICE!!! Seriously, Up here in the mountains, it's ether summer, or winter, nothing else really!
Those of you who live in snow country. Ever find an old set of tire chains or garden hose with your snow blower. Best pick that kind of stuff up while you can still find it. It can be pretty tough on sheer pins.
No, but have found rocks on occasion. Living on a dirt road and gravel drive will do that to you -- (Thanx for the reminder, I need to pick up a couple spare shear pins.)
I am hoping next weekend is nice out so that I can get my lawn and garden stuff done. Currently everything is soaked from the mist we have been having.
Probably a good time to go through your go bag ,or the one you keep in the primary vehicle in the event the unexpected occurs. Seeing all the radical weather we've had on the east coast , it is prudent to expect to share some of that misfortune. We will any way, with the price hike on gas , which means no matter where you are the price is going up, improve your reserves .
I don't think I saw anything about backup heaters, generators or chain saw, if you live in ice storm prone areas where the power gets knocked out and have to deal with downed trees.
