frigophobia ?

[Freighthauler]

Now that you brought that up Mazzy and dude ours was under 2" of dirt this weekend... I'm wondering now how the water company reads the meter...

Lets ask them and find out

[Nolena]

 "Luckily it's a slow drip."

I think I dated him years ago.

[ChattyCathy]

Speaking of the meters being covered, when the plumber went to turn off my water at the street, the meter was covered with dirt and pine needles and certainly did not appear to be looked at recently.  We even had a discussion about it - his assistant said the water company must use the figures from last year, as nothing appeared to be touched for sometime.

I'm still without hot water.  After replacing my water heater, by turning off the water from the street, everything froze again.  I also learned that all of my pipes are under the house, and not one of them is insulated.

[makgirl]

From Nolena yesterday:
"The water meter reader left the gate open." and off went her dogs.

Well, we know the water company is reading HER meter....but I guess not many more....

[tach18k]

Now that you brought that up Mazzy and dude ours was under 2" of dirt this weekend... I'm wondering now how the water company reads the meter...

From what I remember they just guess at it.
a friend of mine from Missisippi, lost his total house in the Katrina thing. He got a bill from Edison saying he owed over $300. He ask how they checked the meter. they stated the meter checker couldnt find it so he guessed at the numbers from the last reading. then he told them the hose wasnt there anymore, they responded and saying, you still owe us even though the meter is missing.

[tlc]

Found out about a pipe wrap that turns on when the temp reaches 37 and keeps the pipes warm with trickle heat. Had to go to Olsons way out off 1-15 and Stoddard Rd to get some. Just plugs into a 100 outlet under the house. Mountain Hardware was out of it but may have it in now. I bought extra that i am returning on my way into WW on Friday. I have 2, 6' and 2, 15' lengths in case someone wants to buy them from me instead of me returning them. They are $35+.

Still in a quandry - leave the water dripping, drain the pipes, turn off at main - done 'em all and still have the pipes freeze. Our main to the house broke and the hot water line broke too. Thank goodness for C Ford Plumbing and their great crew!

[ChattyCathy]

Woo-woo, I've got hot water!  I would recommend Raul Ramirez very highly!  He did a terrific job, and I would venture to say that his prices are more reasonable than his competition.  He lives in Wrightwood, too.  His number is 760-317-3049. He'll come to your house and give you an estimate of your problem - there is no service call fee.

[gypsywolf]

Yippeee ChattyCathy!!

I am trying a portable heater behind the washing machine to see if I can thaw it out.

[gypsywolf]

Well, Hubby has heard his favorite words, "You are right!".

The portable heater is not making any progress with the frozen washer just as he predicted.

Looks like I get new undies and a couple pair of jeans

[Chesslike]

[michael]

Well, Hubby has heard his favorite words, "You are right!".

The portable heater is not making any progress with the frozen washer just as he predicted.

Looks like I get new undies and a couple pair of jeans

When things thaw find the hose bib furthest from the supply and let it run the thickness of a pencil all night and you won't have a repeat of your problem.

Be ready with your water shut off key.  A freeze of this nature is going to damage unprotected pipe systems.

Good luck to all of you. 

[ChattyCathy]

I would suggest that everyone check with their neighbors that they have water, especially older folks or shut-ins.    Also, when everything thaws, be looking at weekender homes for water leaks.  And for those without water or without hot water, let's share with our neighbor.  I had many offers of a hot shower when my hot water was off. 

I am currently with hot water and my washing machine is in working order - pm me if you'd like to wash some clothes or take a hot shower.  I also have a few electric heaters that I'm not using now if anyone needs them to thaw out pipes, etc.  They are small, but they may help.

I was very lucky to get immediate plumbing help and now have all of my pipes thawed and insulated - I feel very lucky.  PM me if you want my plumber's info - I've listed it above in this threatd, but I don't know if he's been inundated with work.

[BikingBrian]

Are things starting to thaw?  Just trying to see if it's worth coming up this weekend to assess any damage.

[ChattyCathy]

It's barely above freezing right now, but if I were you, I'd get up here to prevent any damage if you do have frozen pipes. 

[michael]

Are things starting to thaw?  Just trying to see if it's worth coming up this weekend to assess any damage.

If your water system was on throughout this little Ice Festival it is damaged.   Pipes that are full just freeze and break in this condition.  It has been that cold. 

[Wrightwood]

Wow..... hold on there in your blanket assessment.

There is potential for water pipes and fixtures to be damaged but to say all would be damaged is stretching things. Way too many variables involved.

If I had a weekend cabin I surely wouldn't hesitate on getting up here as the potential for increased damage is definitely there. 

If your water system was on throughout this little Ice Festival it is damaged.   Pipes that are full just freeze and break in this condition.  It has been that cold.

[ChattyCathy]

I agree that not all homes will have busted pipes - especially if they have been insulated.  I hear the east side of town has a lot of frozen pipes - but then again people right in town, too.  Although most of my pipes were frozen under my house, none of them burst - although my water heater was another issue.  But I would certainly get up here and take any preventative measures to prevent any damage from occurring.

[ChattyCathy]

I've got a water heater insulation wrap with instructions FREE to whoever wants it.

I just remembered I had it.  Someone gave it to me back in July.  Had I used it, I probably would not have had to replace my water heater!

It looks brand new, but the box it's in is very beat up.  It says it's a fiberglass blanket, 48" x75" x 1 1/2 " thick.  It says it fits most gas and electric heaters up to 60 gallons.

Free to whoever PM's me first and you can get up here to get it (upper East Canyon)

[BikingBrian]

My water meter is at the street, then the pipe runs underground and pops up in the crawl space, under the kitchen sink.  There's also valves under the sink to drain all of the piping in the house (although I didn't use it this time, as I thought I was going to make it up before the cold snap).  Most of the piping is short runs from where it pops out of the ground, but there's a long run to a hose bib on the other side of the house.  I'm glad that when I moved in a couple of years ago I did all of the following:

- Insulated all of the pipes running under the house
- Put foam covers on the two hose bibs outside
- Put an insulating blanket on the water heater
- Put electric heat tape on the 12" or so of pipe under the house that can't be drained
- Keep the house at 50 degrees when I'm not there
- Open the cabinet doors for the kitchen and bathroom sinks

We'll see how well that worked out.  My major concern is the long run of pipe to the hose bib on the other side of the house.  Hopefully, the electric heat tape and insulation should have kept everything else warm enough.

[angelwolf326]

me me me