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I wonder if that heat tape thing would work on pipes in my pump house. Need to find some way to get outlets working in there again to keep stuff from freezing and busting.

Heat tape would work well, no pun intended. They don't draw a lot of amps so a good extension cord would work if the pump house is within 100' of the outlet. I used them on the hose and frost free hydrant when I was living in my trailer while building the house. I put the heat tape on the hydrant and hose and then used the big thick pool noodles to insulate above the tape. Cold, rain, and snow didn't bother it and they only heat to about 50* before the thermostat cycles them off, usually they cycle on at 40*. They don't get hot enough to cause a fire concern.
For best results block any air gaps in the pump house to retain as much heat inside as possible. If you use your water regularly, or drip a faucet, the water from underground would be warm enough to prevent freezing on most days, but it is better to be safe and prepared for the cold spells.
 
I have survived 8 straight days of work. I've been on blizzard duty in the Des Moines rail yard since Tuesday night. The company has been putting me up at a hotel near the yard because the roads have been treacherous. I got back to my home for the first time since last Thursday morning, to find my water lines had frozen. I turned my heat up to 80° and put a space heater in my bathroom, and opened each faucet up a tiny bit. About 1:30 AM I woke to the sound of running water! Now I have to be worried about the possibility that there is a split somewhere in the water line between my place and the insurance office below it. But, for now I can finally take a shower. There doesn't seem to be a loss of water pressure. I've got the kitchen faucet trickling and the sound of it is annoying!

I have worked 5 straight 12 hour days. Today should be the last day of that. The snow has set up hard as concrete now. We got the "Air Forced 1" jet blower truck from our rail yard in Kansas City. It is a flatbed truck with a diesel turbine on the back and hyrail gear on it so it can maneuver on the tracks. The turbine blows air nearly 600 mph and there is a duct over the cab with an adjustable nozzle. It will blow hard packed snow out of the switches in the yard, and since the snow has set up it won't blow back in. Hopefully we will finish in the yard by this evening. Tomorrow should be my last day of work in Des Moines before I report to my new position on a switch tie gang in Kansas next Tuesday...
 
Another dusting of snow here before it froze. Husband took son to work, but the roads are fine he said. Yesterday was my first full day up so other than coughing I'm on the mend- lung muscles hurt I didn't know I had lol.
Spent the morning doing the stupid little things I do rarely; relining kitchen drawers for instance. Getting rid of some very dodgy old cookware - another step at downsizing. Instead of the roll of stuff everyone uses here for lining I'm using some place mats I found on sale. They don't shift and curl and one and a half fit the drawer perfectly.
Restocked battery and light bulb boxes, and my 'house' toolbox with WD40 and a few bits. Cut up old towels for rags and picked up some pet feed storage. We have an old broken restaurant food warmer that looks like a huge fridge, with a great seal, that we keep the unopened bags in, but I needed something more for the opened stuff in the garage.
Today will be tackling the hotpress and getting the spare room ready.
 
Working from home today, we got about 6"s of snow last night, pretty to look at. This afternoon, when I get off my calls, I will have to get out and clear everything. Tomorrow is expected to be a bright sunny day, so I may try to clean off the solar panels too...

We had tacos last night, all the casseroles we have in the freezer are beef based so I need to find something else we can have for supper tonight...

Out of time, my meetings start in 30 and I'm not quite ready.
 
17 degrees at 5:30 this morning!

Pretty much staying home, today.
If it's clear and not icy, I might walk over to Courthouse and get DH's tag renewed.
DH is out of bananas, but may be out until tomorrow, if I am unable to walk to store.
I'm considering pressure canning some dried tortellini with spaghetti sauce if I am bored.
 
I am enjoying my new 4 month old kittens (adopted them last week).

I never thought that trying to adopt kittens that were rescued would be so hard.

We were rejected from a Cat Rescue organization for ..... are you ready for it??? Being to old to adopt kittens. They said that younger families are more stable and better for kittens, as the kittens may live 20 years indoors.

I do not consider 60 to old. I have a longevity in my family history.... 90 and 100 year olds.

I will post their picture soon.
 
I am enjoying my new 4 month old kittens (adopted them last week).

I never thought that trying to adopt kittens that were rescued would be so hard.

We were rejected from a Cat Rescue organization for ..... are you ready for it??? Being to old to adopt kittens. They said that younger families are more stable and better for kittens, as the kittens may live 20 years indoors.

I do not consider 60 to old. I have a longevity in my family history.... 90 and 100 year olds.

I will post their picture soon.
I'm so happy you were finally able to fill that empty kitten space. The best days are when babies, puppies and kittens come home.
 
I am enjoying my new 4 month old kittens (adopted them last week).

I never thought that trying to adopt kittens that were rescued would be so hard.

We were rejected from a Cat Rescue organization for ..... are you ready for it??? Being to old to adopt kittens. They said that younger families are more stable and better for kittens, as the kittens may live 20 years indoors.

I do not consider 60 to old. I have a longevity in my family history.... 90 and 100 year olds.

I will post their picture soon.
Can't wait to see the pictures!! Congratulations!!😺
 
Supposed to be 17 by daybreak. 3 by daybreak Wednesday. not yet but its on the way. We are having a 2nd cold spell this weekend after a warm up to 28 Friday
According to your thermometer, looks like you are holding up well
you have almost the same weather we have but ours is a little colder not much , but you are in the State right next door so that makes sense

I am happy to report our stove stayed on, just fed it this morning and it was nice and warm in the kitchen.
 
Hearbroken: there is no electric in his house , so the heat tape would not work. He has an extension cord ( under the road LOL) to run his computer and a ligth, but runnig something like that would probably melt the thing its plugged into
but thanks, something to keep in mind
( our house really does in no way have proper utilities, it's what it is, it's why we could afford to buy it)

It's still dark out so not sure how much more snow we got, but the concrete path to the house is stll cleared ( I cleared it yesterday afternoon but it is in the sun and was melting anyway) . I wonder if it will have a sheet of ice tomorrow morning, so far it looks ok. We don't use ice melt, it's bad for the ground ( road is in between the pastures and next to garden )

So today we are going to take care of the animals. I let the sheep out yesterday morning for about a few hours while we cleaned and fed and watered the goats, let the barn dogs out for that time also, so I will do the same today. They can be out in the cold for a little while anyway. The real cold is supposed to start overnight today
 
my babies
 

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Heat tape would work well, no pun intended. They don't draw a lot of amps so a good extension cord would work if the pump house is within 100' of the outlet. I used them on the hose and frost free hydrant when I was living in my trailer while building the house. I put the heat tape on the hydrant and hose and then used the big thick pool noodles to insulate above the tape. Cold, rain, and snow didn't bother it and they only heat to about 50* before the thermostat cycles them off, usually they cycle on at 40*. They don't get hot enough to cause a fire concern.
For best results block any air gaps in the pump house to retain as much heat inside as possible. If you use your water regularly, or drip a faucet, the water from underground would be warm enough to prevent freezing on most days, but it is better to be safe and prepared for the cold spells.
Hmm.. I'd have to see where I could plug in. Not sure if anything in the shed works. Right now the water is out. Not sure if anything broke or if its just frozen. 18°F out.
Haven't been able to sleep because of the mucus. I can feel it in my chest and it really sucks. News said the road into town is closed and temps aren't expected to get over the 30s range. Really hoping they open up so I can go get Boo from the vet.
I feel cruddy but at least Rupert is snuggling me.

PumpkinSpice, I'm so happy for you that you adopted kittens. They look adorable!
 
I wonder if that heat tape thing would work on pipes in my pump house. Need to find some way to get outlets working in there again to keep stuff from freezing and busting.
I put a propane heater in my pump house to keep everything from freezing. We live off grid so the only electric we have at the pump house is when the generator comes on. I bought a little wall mounted heater with a thermostat from Northern Tool. Even on below zero days it keeps the pump house at about 37 degs. On warmer days down to about 12 degs, just the pilot light alone will keep the pump house above freezing.
I don't know if this would work for you in your pump house, but it doesn't depend on electricity to keep everything warm.
 
Last day if my unwanted vacation. My Tuesday couple live in town and their water meter at the street is frozen, so they have no water. I'll squeeze them in Thursday. They have cases of water so they are warm and drinking coffee! The city is coming to their block shortly to assess the situation!🙄 I'm back inside drinking coffee after feeding the outside critters! Ready for the upper 20's and some sun!!
 
you have almost the same weather we have but ours is a little colder not much , but you are in the State right next door so that makes sense

I am happy to report our stove stayed on, just fed it this morning and it was nice and warm in the kitchen.
Similar for sure
I'm not sure but the way you talk it sounds like you are at a higher elevation than we are. We're right at 1000'.
 
Similar for sure
I'm not sure but the way you talk it sounds like you are at a higher elevation than we are. We're right at 1000'.
we are around 3000 ft so yes higher, but it is not much warmer in town either which is much lower ( but it does get much hotter there during summer)

Glad we have wood stoves today, it's nice and warm in the house and I only have the kitchen stove on. But did keep it on overnight
 
I’m a bit whiney today. Still no water from the kitchen and guest bathroom faucets. And now, the stove is flashing an “F11” error and the oven won’t turn on. Hubby looked it up and the oven needs to be pulled from the wall, the back opened up and the contacts for the buttons cleaned. So, I can only use the stove top. I heated some water and did some dishes last night but my kitchen is getting messy and it’s driving me nuts. My cooking ability is getting limited but I might make some chicken rice soup in the Instant Pot or on the stove top. Or……maybe I’ll ask Hubby to take me out but it’s COLD out.
 
Well..I dont see any water gushing from anywhere but if its frozen I guess I wouldn't see any water untill it thaws?
If you have plastic pipes they shouldn't burst, just swell a bit, all hot water stoped?, like closes taps to hot water tank (I see you already said no hot taps at all above)
 
Well..I dont see any water gushing from anywhere but if its frozen I guess I wouldn't see any water untill it thaws?
My buddy had a similar issue last year. He verified he had a supply to the heater but no water out. Turns out there was a clog in the input filter to the tank.

Better than replacing a gas heater. They eun about $800 round here.

Ben
 

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