Beginning a tradition of holiday photo shoots, here's two pictures of Speedy enjoying Xmas with me. Merry Christmas everybody!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Xmas 2008
We have a white Christmas today. Thanks Doug and Kristen for a wonderful Xmas eve party last night.
Beginning a tradition of holiday photo shoots, here's two pictures of Speedy enjoying Xmas with me. Merry Christmas everybody!
Beginning a tradition of holiday photo shoots, here's two pictures of Speedy enjoying Xmas with me. Merry Christmas everybody!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Storm Preparations
NOTE, THIS IS IN DRAFT FORM, BUT PUBLISHING ANYWAY. This post may be updated several times in the next two months, too much to write at one sitting.
Well, here in Snoqualmie we've had some terrible weather, very high winds of 40-60 MPH sustained, and gusts as high as 87 MPH reported. Lots of reports of frozen pipes, a cracked window, power outages, and garage doors blown in. This posting lists some of the things I did to prepare for the storms, some things I should do.
One thing to remember, if you have time, it may be your last chance for a while. Last chance for a hot bath, wash clothes, cook, wash dishes, vacuum, so better do it while you can.
SAFETY FIRST / COMMON SENSE THINGS...
Smoke detector working
Carbon monoxide detectors working
Fire extinguisher in kitchen and/or garage. Recently charged.
Clean the house, you never know who will need a place to stay :). Especially clean near potential problem areas for ease of access and to ensure it stays dry in case of failure, example is to ensure cutoff valve is not blocked by household items, garage door may leak so don't have things on the floor that would be damaged if they get wet.
PREPARATIONS FOR COLD TEMPERATURES / SNOW
Primary concern is for frozed water pipes.
DONE
Check the crawlspace for insulation around all water pipes.
Open all cabinet doors to allow heat under sinks
Block exterier crawlspace vents with cardboard (consider styrofoam in future)
Temperature inside house steady 69F, even at night. Waste of energy, but cheaper than frozen pipes.
Slow but steady drip to prevent freezing.
Disconnect hoses, including any adapters which may void the frost free feature
Insulate exterier faucets.
Some people have option to drain hose line, I don't, but is good if you can.
SHOULD DO
Insulate around pressure relief valve.
Tape a few water lines that are semi-exposed.
Buy humidity meter with thermometer for crawlspace.
Anti-humidity pellets for crawlspace
Sweep crawlspace of garbage, vacuum later.
PREPARATIONS FOR POWER OUTAGES
Recharge flashlights or buy batteries for them.
Keep cell phone charged.
Stock up on food / water for a few days
Ensure generator works, refamiliarize with starting procedures
Generator hookup to house with special switchbox and 40 Foot high voltage power cord.
Have cables and locks handy to secure generator (theft is a big issue!)
Fill spare gas tanks for generator
Fill gas tanks for car, as power outages affect gas pumps
CO Carbon Monoxide detectors (2 minimum) - check batteries and test!!!
Turn pilot light on for gas fireplace, so easier to have backup heat.
Clean particles in gas fireplace to reduce asthma.
PREPARATIONS FOR CAR OR OTHER TRAVEL
Car - Hand pump to adjust for lower pressure due to cold
Car - sand in back in plastic bucket (cat litter container optimal, as it has a pour spout).
Car - shovel in back
Car - Chains - check if they fit and test putting them on.
Car - fully fueled up
Bus - see if bus service is an option, likely unreliable in icy conditions
KNOW YOUR SYSTEM
This section to include graphics of where to find things, such as emergency shut off for gas and / or water and electricity. Obviously, a work in progress...
PREPARATIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD REPAIRS IN CASE OF DAMAGE.
Note: personal notes below, not an endorsement or disparagement of anybody, just my experiences.
List of plumbers
Beacon Plumbing. I think I'm going to use them next, I heard good things about them, and I've seen their trucks driving on the Ridge a lot after the last storm, so they seem to be favored locally.
Clifford Knopp - don't like him. He was unprepared with parts, so I had to pay him hourly rate as he went shopping for basic plumbing parts. He did not insulate PRV after completion. He started the process of applying cement to the pipes after shopping, so had to pay him to wait even longer, he should have started that and then gone shopping, to minimize down time. Expected bill around a hundred dollars, was triple that due to charging me for his wait time. Would have been nice if he could have scheduled other clients to service while waiting for the cement to dry.
List of general contractors
List of furnace / hot water technicians
Bob's heating - they seem fine, somewhat lukewarm about them. May try a different company next just for comparison, but overall I would hire them again.
Fast - their name is on the hot water heater.
List of electricians
List of locksmiths
OK, kind of unrelated, but I really like Brian of Big Brian's Locksmithing.
http://www.govlink.org/storm/prepare.asp
Well, here in Snoqualmie we've had some terrible weather, very high winds of 40-60 MPH sustained, and gusts as high as 87 MPH reported. Lots of reports of frozen pipes, a cracked window, power outages, and garage doors blown in. This posting lists some of the things I did to prepare for the storms, some things I should do.
One thing to remember, if you have time, it may be your last chance for a while. Last chance for a hot bath, wash clothes, cook, wash dishes, vacuum, so better do it while you can.
SAFETY FIRST / COMMON SENSE THINGS...
Smoke detector working
Carbon monoxide detectors working
Fire extinguisher in kitchen and/or garage. Recently charged.
Clean the house, you never know who will need a place to stay :). Especially clean near potential problem areas for ease of access and to ensure it stays dry in case of failure, example is to ensure cutoff valve is not blocked by household items, garage door may leak so don't have things on the floor that would be damaged if they get wet.
PREPARATIONS FOR COLD TEMPERATURES / SNOW
Primary concern is for frozed water pipes.
DONE
Check the crawlspace for insulation around all water pipes.
Open all cabinet doors to allow heat under sinks
Block exterier crawlspace vents with cardboard (consider styrofoam in future)
Temperature inside house steady 69F, even at night. Waste of energy, but cheaper than frozen pipes.
Slow but steady drip to prevent freezing.
Disconnect hoses, including any adapters which may void the frost free feature
Insulate exterier faucets.
Some people have option to drain hose line, I don't, but is good if you can.
SHOULD DO
Insulate around pressure relief valve.
Tape a few water lines that are semi-exposed.
Buy humidity meter with thermometer for crawlspace.
Anti-humidity pellets for crawlspace
Sweep crawlspace of garbage, vacuum later.
PREPARATIONS FOR POWER OUTAGES
Recharge flashlights or buy batteries for them.
Keep cell phone charged.
Stock up on food / water for a few days
Ensure generator works, refamiliarize with starting procedures
Generator hookup to house with special switchbox and 40 Foot high voltage power cord.
Have cables and locks handy to secure generator (theft is a big issue!)
Fill spare gas tanks for generator
Fill gas tanks for car, as power outages affect gas pumps
CO Carbon Monoxide detectors (2 minimum) - check batteries and test!!!
Turn pilot light on for gas fireplace, so easier to have backup heat.
Clean particles in gas fireplace to reduce asthma.
PREPARATIONS FOR CAR OR OTHER TRAVEL
Car - Hand pump to adjust for lower pressure due to cold
Car - sand in back in plastic bucket (cat litter container optimal, as it has a pour spout).
Car - shovel in back
Car - Chains - check if they fit and test putting them on.
Car - fully fueled up
Bus - see if bus service is an option, likely unreliable in icy conditions
KNOW YOUR SYSTEM
This section to include graphics of where to find things, such as emergency shut off for gas and / or water and electricity. Obviously, a work in progress...
PREPARATIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD REPAIRS IN CASE OF DAMAGE.
Note: personal notes below, not an endorsement or disparagement of anybody, just my experiences.
List of plumbers
Beacon Plumbing. I think I'm going to use them next, I heard good things about them, and I've seen their trucks driving on the Ridge a lot after the last storm, so they seem to be favored locally.
Clifford Knopp - don't like him. He was unprepared with parts, so I had to pay him hourly rate as he went shopping for basic plumbing parts. He did not insulate PRV after completion. He started the process of applying cement to the pipes after shopping, so had to pay him to wait even longer, he should have started that and then gone shopping, to minimize down time. Expected bill around a hundred dollars, was triple that due to charging me for his wait time. Would have been nice if he could have scheduled other clients to service while waiting for the cement to dry.
List of general contractors
List of furnace / hot water technicians
Bob's heating - they seem fine, somewhat lukewarm about them. May try a different company next just for comparison, but overall I would hire them again.
Fast - their name is on the hot water heater.
List of electricians
List of locksmiths
OK, kind of unrelated, but I really like Brian of Big Brian's Locksmithing.
http://www.govlink.org/storm/prepare.asp
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