Thoughts on home preparations

[GypsmJim]

Google says exactly that also.

However, building codes require (in Ohio) that in a garage connected to a dwelling, the garage floor must be 4" lower at any doorway into the dwelling (some cities require 12"). It may be associated water vapor, but something make the combustion fumes heavier than air at our altitude. That may be because Air is 79% nitrogen and only 20.9 % oxygen. The real world isn't composed of pure anything. Fire fumes are hot so they rise (which is why smoke detectors are on the ceiling) and most fumes from hot water tanks and furnaces are too. But fumes from pilot lights will sink to floor level due to less heat. 95% efficacy furnaces don't have enough heat left in the fumes to make them rise, so there is an exhaust fan to move those fumes outside. Why because they will fall to the lower areas and that will kill you.

Ivan

Garages sometimes house cars, thus a gasoline leak is a potential problem. Gas fumes are heavier than air. You don't want a gas fume to enter the kitchen and come into contact with the stove.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Yes. We live in the country so I could be a long ways from a electrical outlet if running fence, thawing a stock tank or fixing a outbuilding that doesn’t have electricity.

Short answer is $,$$$ or maybe $$,$$$...

Points taken. "The buck stops here...", and "here" is usually a lot closer to the bottom of the barrel than we think.

 

[jrd1976]

I hope my preparations will help others because of our recent experience. We survived the cold weather last week a lot better than our Texas neighbors. We have gas logs in the living room and we have a small gas space heater in the master bath. The propane tank was 68% full. I've had a 5000 watt Black Max pull start generator since about 1996 when we were without power and the temperature was below freezing for a week. Last summer just after the hurricanes, I upgraded to a 7500 watt Black Max with an electric start Honda engine, which was probably more power than I needed. It hooks up to the breaker box which allows us to power the whole house, except for any 220 appliances with heating elements.

We lost power from Wednesday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. It ran a total of 95 hours and powered two freezers, two refrigerators, and everything else in the house on 110. Everything worked normally. We were able to use 2-3 1500 watt countertop appliances (microwave, George Foreman, air fryer, etc.) at a time with no overload. We washed clothes and hung them up on the shower curtain rods to dry.

My only concern was that an exterior faucet might freeze, but that did not happen. I started out with 24 gallons of gasoline, but will have more for the next event. I got about 10 hours per 6 gallon fill up. Except when we were preparing meals or when the clothes washer was going, it ran at less than 35% capacity.

During hurricane season I have a small window AC unit that I can install in the master bed room.

 

[Llance]

Not only do i have a generator but i also collect and repair old camping stoves and lanterns as well as Coleman table lamps. A few of my heating devices are shown below. I have plenty of fuel for both propane and Coleman fuel type stoves and lanterns. As well as many repair parts.

The first picture is of a space heater made by Coleman for train station waiting rooms in the upper mid-west. The second picture is of a trio of my table lamps, and the third picture is of a German made military/camping cook stove. The fourth picture is of my Range Rover at a local canal about a mile from my house and i went there to cook my breakfast so as not to wake my wife. And the last picture is of the canal looking to the west about twenty minutes after the one of my breakfast. This is one of my fav pictures. Llance

 

[Greyman50]

Having lived in hurricane zones most of my life, think I’m prepared. Have 2 generators, Mr. Buddy heaters cooking stove and lanterns that run off 1 # propane bottles, and Co2 detectors. One reason of moving here is little or NO cold weather. Enough freeze dried food, 1st aid supplies and assorted radios. Best is maybe the roll around AC unit that vents out a window. Assorted alarm devices for a perimeter.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Something I remembered about draining pipes.

I worked for a rental home company for about a month (16 years ago now), They got homes read as soon as they emptied, then they were ready for "Instant Move-in". All utilities were shut off at the meters, so squatters wouldn't be comfortable, and neighbors couldn't steal electricity with a power cord!

As winter approached they would prepare them for sub zero temps. They had lots of expierance and did things I never thought of.

Where the water pipes come out of the wall then head to the toilet or faucet, there is a compression fitting, usually with a shut off. These work like a drain trap and hold water that will freeze and burst the pipes! This company had the winterizing team unscrew every one of these fittings
on the lowest floor and drain the water. Then you have to remember to hook them back on before restoring water pressure.

Just thought I would give you something else to think about.

Ivan

 

[gjgalligan]

Now is the time to do anything you have thought about for future winter problems.
No hurricanes yet this year so generators should be available if you decided to buy one.
And now would be good time to do any plumbing changes that you have thought about.

Or procrastinate and hope for the best.

 

[ditrina]

Got It !!!!

It will run the whole house, A/C, Electric Stove, Etc..

To many years in Florida to take any chances.

 

[mick1213]

Ive went through a few hurricanes, last was Sally. We only were out for five days and I used this small 1400watt generator to power the fridge, a few lights, tv and fans. I have a 5kw but didnt use it. (I’ve since converted it to dual fuel using a 100 gallon lp tankas i have a lp stove and water heater). I decided I could sacrifice some comfort for not having to store large amounts of gasoline or having to try to locate a operational service station and staying in long lines . I went the 5 days on less than 10 gallons of gasoline. About 10 hours/ gallon.

 

[arjay]

That reminds me! For the first time in my life,I need to order some firewood (I’m beyond cutting and splitting now) We lost power for a day last winter in subzero weather and I used up most of what I had left. It takes a lot of wood to heat up the stonework in a fireplace..

 

[MRB1]

Last year was quite an education for us. We've taken corrective action where necessary, and can only pray that something new doesn't pop up. Unlike last year, we now have a community watch program that looks after property and all the seniors on my road have our number and know they have a place if they need.

 

[Spajohn]

Old way is best way.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Old way is best way.

Blast from th past Dunno about the Geiger counter but the "communication" gear looks a bit iffy.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I'm ready for anything.

 

[Onomea]

About a month ago, I asked dealers/reps/installers for Generac, Kohler and Cummings to come out to my place for a site survey and estimates, installed, for a whole house/back up generator as advertised on their manufacturers sites.

About a week or so later, the Kohler rep showed up and did his thing. I got his estimate two weeks or so after that, last Monday. If I were to contract with them today, would be able to get a Kohler installed by winter or maybe early spring, they guessed.

Cummings rep took longer to get here. Maybe two weeks after I called. I'm still waiting on his estimate. If memory serves, he said that once I signed a contract, install would be eight to 12 weeks. (I think he was being optimistic.)

Generac, whose rep called me maybe a week after the Cummings guy was here, said best they could do would be to schedule me for a site survey at the end of December...

Would be a great business to be in nowadays. Not a good time to be a customer though.

 

[GaryS]

Check to see if there are any Briggs and Stratton dealers near you. It might not be faster, but I have a B&S whole house "Fortress" generator. I originally looked at portables, but the Mrs pointed out that if I were away when we lost power, she would not be able to lug it out of the garage, set it up, and get it started.

The other things I do during hurricane season is make sure that we have food and bottled water. With the whole house generator we'll have power and can run the microwave. And of course I can always grill something.

Before winter comes, I do my annual maintenance on the snow blower and make sure that the roof heating cables are in working order.

Even though I live in a suburb and crime isn't out of control here, we live near a small city with a big crime problem. So, I also make sure I have at least one firearm loaded and on me.

About a month ago, I asked dealers/reps/installers for Generac, Kohler and Cummings to come out to my place for a site survey and estimates, installed, for a whole house/back up generator as advertised on their manufacturers sites.

About a week or so later, the Kohler rep showed up and did his thing. I got his estimate two weeks or so after that, last Monday. If I were to contract with them today, would be able to get a Kohler installed by winter or maybe early spring, they guessed.

Cummings rep took longer to get here. Maybe two weeks after I called. I'm still waiting on his estimate. If memory serves, he said that once I signed a contract, install would be eight to 12 weeks. (I think he was being optimistic.)

Generac, whose rep called me maybe a week after the Cummings guy was here, said best they could do would be to schedule me for a site survey at the end of December...

Would be a great business to be in nowadays. Not a good time to be a customer though.

 

[GaryS]

The same goes for snow blowers. Back in 2009 we had a very snowy winter and you couldn't find one for love nor money. Mine was on it's last legs and I spent more time getting it to run than actually clearing snow.

I spent several months looking at various models and decided on an Ariens 28 inch deluxe. It never fails to start and does a good job. I keep up on the maintenance because as a guy I know who repairs power equipment says, "The way you put it away at the end of the season is how it will start the next time you need it."

There's nothing worse (to me) than having a couple of feet of snow in the driveway and a snow blower that won't start.

Now is the time to do anything you have thought about for future winter problems.
No hurricanes yet this year so generators should be available if you decided to buy one.
And now would be good time to do any plumbing changes that you have thought about.

Or procrastinate and hope for the best.

 

[Spajohn]

There's nothing worse (to me) than having a couple of feet of snow in the driveway and a snow blower that won't start.

Reminds me of this sentiment from a bathroom stall:
"Here I sit with a broken heart,
took a handful of pills and my Hog won't start.

 

[Golphin]

I don't think freezing is a problem where I am. I would also think anyone living in Michigan should be able to deal with any freezing weather. Of course if you loose power it could be a problem so do as we do here in Florida and get a generator.

 

[GaryS]

The difference is that in Florida you can always open the window and turn on a fan to cool things off a bit. You can't do that during winter in the north.

I don't think freezing is a problem where I am. I would also think anyone living in Michigan should be able to deal with any freezing weather. Of course if you loose power it could be a problem so do as we do here in Florida and get a generator.