BS: ICE - the winter kind

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 12:30 PM

BTW.... many roofers will actually try to get away with not installing "eave protection". I swear it's the truth. I have seen it many times, even on NEW houses! Make sure your roofer installs it and does it right.

Of course, eave protection is really just a backup. Proper insulation and ventilation is the key. Again, CMHC has lots of good info on how to do things right... and wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 12:24 PM

But... don't use plain old salt. Use the stuff that doesn't harm asphalt (many packages say "concrete"... that is perfect). Many are just called de-icer.

Place the socks/pantyhose or even just the "salt" every four to five feet. The objective is to make a drain through, or even under, the ice so water can drain.

If you are using only de-icer, it's nice if you can make an "indentation" in the ice at the upper edge of the ice so the de-icer can lay in the indentation. Just try not to damge the roofing.

There's lots of good info at CMHC.ca

Oh... of course, if all you have is regular salt, it's better than thousands of dollars of repairs.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:51 AM

gotcha
clever idea

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:45 AM

Alice, you take an old pair of panty hose and stuff them with rock salt, throw them up onto the roof where ice dams happen and they will melt the ice. I use old socks because I don't wear panty hose.

"Rudolph the red nose reindeer has a very shiny nose he has a drinking problem, now he's wearing panty hose..."
(Eric Bogle)

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:33 AM

let it snow... Let It Snow... LET IT SNOW!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:23 AM

Pantihose? I missed the pantihose advice... how does that work??

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 10:00 AM

Wha??? My last post was in response to a GUEST post which has been removed. ??? It asked when winter starts... it was from UK, I believe, as it said that winter starts in UK about mid-Jan.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 09:32 AM

Tami, the Good, shovelled out my back porch and walkway only to discover the hated ice dam. Thanks to gnu's advice I was at the ready with salt and pantihose. Nature helped with rain and 40 degree temperatures. Strange - this happened on a section of the roof that has never dammed before.

And once again I have what appear to be human limbs stuck up on the roof.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 09:08 AM

So far, October, November and December.

Case in point... forecast is -20C tonight, -10 tomorrow, +10C with rain on Sunday. Then, winter will start again.

Oh, yeah.... Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Haven't mentioned that lately.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 07:25 PM

It was a dark and stormy night...

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: maeve
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:52 PM

Hip hip huzzah, Allison!

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:49 PM

Hallelulia! Hallelulia!
Everything is Illuminated!
Oh, glory how happy I am!
How can I keep from singing?

Yes, to wood stove, but hooray for lights on the tree, music on the stereo, hot water for washing dishes, and my folks coming HERE for Christmas dinner (but better yet- since they assumed they'd be cooking it, they're cooking it and bringing it here!).


Am I giddy yet?

Wheeeeeeeeee!!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 03:34 PM

I've been trying to reach some of the neighbors on my street to see if we can pitch in together to pay for an ATV plow to do snow removal on the sidewalks this winter. Our town tickets your house and fines you a heavy fine for not shoveling within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall. I'm not there enough to do it myself, and Ryan lives too far to get there every day. Someone on the block hired a person to run a little plow up and down the sidewalk (a 2 block neighborhood) and I'm trying to find that guy to see if we can pay for it as a group this winter.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 03:17 PM

I have a Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire) Eliminator 800

That sucker will keep you in touch with the world. Or power a 13W light for a long while. And, you can charge one to full capacity from your vehicle in several hours. Or from a generator for SFA loss while the gennie is running other things.

I highly recommend them. Unfortunate that the price of them has gone up in the past while. But, since I make my living by being on the world wide communication networks, I gotta have em.

Right now, I gotta split some more kindlin for the stove. Keeps me warm.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:49 PM

You have a wood stove, right? Geez - no heat, lights, TV, wait a minute - you're on a computer. Hmmmmm...DOH at the cafe.

Sorry Allison.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:17 PM

The local electric company is congratulating themselves on a good job almost well done. ALMOST- I'm part of the exclusive club still without power in New Hampshire!

It's a 19th century Christmas season. The Solstice has never held such meaning for me before!

Send me some electrons, please, Catters!

Allison-at-the-cafe

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 10:19 AM

Oops... I posted IT several hours ago...

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 10:18 AM

Where's my post? I posted this several hours ago. It WAS here. I read it. Skidded off the road and into the ditch?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:20 PM

Wot?! I coulda meant tree limbs! (Not, I know, I know! Guess I'll join Kendall in the cellar.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 06:16 PM

Oh my.... you spake the unspakable... LINN! Stay IN!!!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 06:01 PM

Knock on wood, Linn...no broken limbs this year!:-)

Stay safe and warm, folks!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 05:00 PM

The weather is nasty.

It took me an hour to drive what normally takes me 30 minutes home. While it was only slow and tedious at first, once I got through Lee Traffic Circle, my wipers started to freeze up. By the time I turned onto Freeman Hall Road, I could barely see. Stopped and de-iced in the Baptist's car park and thus made it safely home.

Realized as I was walking down the driveway (that's DOWNhill) that white on white while walking down hill makes me dizzy.

Needed a hot buttered rum to de-dizzify myself.

Really glad I came home instead of going to the Press Room session, but missing the Press Room session seriously sucks since we had to miss last week.

The good news is, tomorrow should be fine weather for the sea music/seasonal/ballad monthly session. Which will make us feel better (a little bit, maybe) if we have to miss Sunday's music party because of the expected Nor'easter.

Geez, it isn't even Christmas and I'm sick of winter.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 02:28 PM

A fell impulse on your part, good Gnus. :D


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 02:21 PM

"... consolatio." I am soooo tempted.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 11:13 AM

The storms are stacked up across the country, one winter front following another. The new one with more below zero temps and more snow is moving in here today.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: maeve
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 11:13 AM

Amos: Gratias ago vos pro vestri consolatio.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:40 AM

Yesterday the predictions for the large storm headed to the northeastern section of the US were all over the radios and news. For our specific area they said the storm would start around midnight. I was up at 1:30am. Nothing. I went back to bed and decided I would have to teach this morning and we would have an early dismissal. THe phone rang at 5:45am. It was the person ahead of me on the snow chain and she said, "Enjoy your 3 day weekend." I giggled, said thanks and called the next person on the list. I went downstairs and looked outside. Still, NOTHING. Hm. It's now a few hours later and I can't see much beyond our barn for the fine, yet heavy downfall of snow. It is quite beautiful.

    Like many who live in our region, as long as we can stay home, we're good. We have plenty of food, heat (wood stove as backup)and plenty of candles and flashlights should the power go out. The only thing that would be a pain is the water. We have plenty of it stored, so it's really only a pain and not a problem. DH is on the move this morning stacking extra firewood and making sure the critters have enough food and straw to stay warm. Personally, I'm about to hop in the shower and start some laundry so if the power does go, we have all clean clothes and I'm all clean! Ok, and yes, a new pot of coffee too! :) Also, the french press is ready to go, should we need it!

    I hope that any of you who are being hit by this storm are fortunate enough to be able to stay home, snuggle in with a loved one or a good book and enjoy the day (or maybe days!).

Stay warm and safe.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 09:52 AM

Give 'em hell, Yankees!! Non nocens tempestas carborundum.

A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 09:36 AM

Advice from an electrician:
When the power goes out, turn off each circuit braker then the main switch. When it comes on again. Open the main switch and each circuit breaker in turn watching for overloads. It can save an appliance or two and possibly your life.
The power company here insists they are not responsible for damages - several people at work had similar experiences to CamiSu.
Power outages expected tonight according to the news at least in Southern Maine and NH. Massachusettes has already declared a state of emergency. Last year around this time they hesitated and school children spent eight hours trapped in school busses.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 08:25 AM

Sheesh!

Just when I REALLY need a Press Room fix, it looks like the elements are conspiring to make me turn home (and hope to get into the driveway) after work rather than towards Daniel Street.

At least it should be clear for tomorrow's shanty/seasonal sing.

But...(there's always a "but", isn't there?) they're predicting a Nor'easter on Sunday. (When there's a music/holiday party scheduled.)

Sigh.

Just hope we don't lose power again.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 07:01 AM

Stand by New England, we have another major storm bearing down on us.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: CamiSu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 05:23 PM

Amos--

I use snowbanks all the time, as well as my porch, the woodshed, even the utility room can be a walk-in fridge. Works great for eggs except in the summer. Squirrels, mice. rats can all raid if you don't take care. I have several gallons of cider frozen on the porch right now. When the freezer on the fridge decided to work in reverse I loaded all its contents into a laundry basket and stuck it in the woodshed. The outside temp promptly went to 57. So much for THAT!

But the real reason we live here? The neighbors! (and everyone else for that matter) They're there when you need 'em and we enjoy doing for each other. And the past year I've needed that.

CamiSu

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 05:04 PM

10'? So, Global warming is gonna make the size of your new water pool a lot bigger?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 04:04 PM

Ah, so. THis is the time of year to celebrate for all those poor mortals who turn to Southern California for hope and redemption.


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 03:34 PM

{{{{{{Cami-Su}}}}} Sorry about your kitty; it's so sad when we lose them.

Really glad you knew what to do in the surge, but wow, wish they'd noticed so you wouldn't have lost all of your appliances! I'd say they pay the deductible, too!

Has anyone heard any more from Barry? Wondering if he finally got power back up? Barry, ya there?

Amos, you call 2,000 feet high??!! Heck, we're more than double that here in the l-o-w point of Colorado.**bg** And, even here it sometimes surprises me. It's the Banana Belt of CO, but we've had snow off and on for a few days now and it's actually sticking around, plus they say it is supposed to get as cold as zero Fahrenheit on Sat. night, which is unheard of here!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 03:03 PM

The Las Vegas Valley lies in a relatively high-altitude portion of the Mojave Desert--the city is at around 2,000 feet, where the recent rains have turned to snow as low as 1300 feet in these parts. We did have snow in great measure up in the eastern pass that leads to Yuma. My own altitude is probably 10 feet. So I won't worry yet. The rains have passed, for now, and the day temp is in the 60's, which we find a bit cool.

A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 02:38 PM

The temps got up over zero here yesterday and today, but the next wave of below zero weather will arrive probably tomorrow and go deep into the minus numbers for the weekend.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 02:24 PM

Maeve.... we really sidestepped the storm here. We did have a whack of ice and then wind, but the wind we got was so warm that the ice was gone in jig time. Along with a half dozen shingle tabs. However, those tabs were all along the edge of the southern eave (3 foot eaves), so I should be okay as long as the rest of the winter stays cold... or we don't get high south winds when it's warm.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 02:13 PM

Amos might be next!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: maeve
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:54 AM

My husband and I do use snowbanks when we need to. Since this was the first real storm of the season around here, there wasn't enough snow to make snowbanks and the freezing rain followed by the widely fluctuating outside temperatures made it challenging. I did put the newly baked bread outside in a cooler under the roof overhang to avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.

We also regularly use the cold spot by the back door, the unheated front hall, the cool bathtub, the farm truck (with cap), and the root cellar as is appropriate. Mostly though, we unplug all appliances to avoid a surge and keep the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible while the power is out. We didn't lose any food, and I am thankful for that.

While it is both wise and responsible to prepare for extreme weather situations and power outages, there are different challenges depending upon each person's housing, local weather conditions, physical health, and finances. That's why it is important for each household and community to prepare as well as possible for household needs and for sharing. That's why we check up on families, friends, and neighbors: we look after each other.

I'm very glad to know that Linn and Tom, CamiSu, Jeri, ranger 1, Sinsull, Kendall, gnu, and the rest have been able to cope in their own ways. I'm glad we Mudcatters can help and encourage each other, and that we have done so as we are able.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:54 AM

Coyotes, cats, dogs, birds, skunks, raccoons, bears, squirrels, and the fact that except for Saturday night, it wasn't all that cold outside and I'd have to keep moving food so it was out of the.

Oddly enough, stuff in my freezer which I did NOT open, didn't thaw completely in the nearly 5 days my power was out. I still had ice cube shaped ice cubes in the ice bin. I suppose the cold temps in the house helped with that.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:29 AM

Dogs and cats

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:27 AM

Because the temperature outside fluctuated between 12 and 40 degrees and there are no snowbanks. Just a thin sheet of ice.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:26 AM

Lions and Tigers and Bears.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:25 AM

Neighbors.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:18 AM

Coyotes.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:16 AM

One thing puzzles me. When the entire outdoor world is an icebox, why don't you move the stuff that is thawing from your deadened freezers into a snowbank until power is restored?

A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 08:55 AM

I am sorry, CamiSu. It is hard to lose a good friend.

But I am glad you came throught he power surge safely. Holy Crap!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 05:43 AM

Oh my, CamiSu... thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: CamiSu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 01:45 AM

Finally got the post to take....

But the sad part, now, my old cat was failing and I think the lower temp was too much for him, and he died this morning. I'll think of him every birthday from now on...

Gotta go hug the one that's left, and go to bed.

CamiSu