[dinonz]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Sorry to hear this. Good luck.

So far I may be lucky - I've noticed the pool level hasn't dropped, in fact it's probably increased. So I'm hoping that means nothing cracked, but then might not know till it all thaws out.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

I don't know...surely one of your Lambos is shaped more like a plow than the others...just take that and go for it.

Might need a little detailing after, but it'll buff right out. As an added bonus, this gets you more time with the detailer, who will find a new and creative way to get your hopes up before she stomps all over them again.

But at least you'll have milk for your lattes.

The Diablo would be the obvious choice - very wedge front end, low to the ground, and AWD. Perfect!

And the detailer would be wearing so many clothes the only one who might get excited would be the Michelin Man.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

If had time, I'd write a song called Tears in My Latte.

dinonz I've got nothing but love for you sir.

If I had talent I'd write a song, but sadly I have a voice like Louis Armstrong gargling on razor blades.

But given snowmageddon here in Texas, time is something I do have. Just not always power, or heat. But for lack of heat, I have scotch

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Ugh.

I highly recommend a Generac. A natural gas connection is preferred, as well...usually the last thing to go out in a disaster.

A neighbor mentioned he has one, I've looked, and I WILL have one in the new home. Whole house, including pool and guest house. I have to decide between propane (on tanks) or diesel because where the new home is I am not sure I will have natural gas sadly.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by dinonz

So far I may be lucky - I've noticed the pool level hasn't dropped, in fact it's probably increased. So I'm hoping that means nothing cracked, but then might not know till it all thaws out.

I hope so.

These are not good surprises. We had a crack in a main waterline of a 386 unit apartment complex. NOLA sent us a water bill for $150K USD for one month of service. The accountant went into cardiac arrest when he opened the bill. Luckily one of the partners was an attorney and we negotiated it down to 10% over the nominal monthly billing for the past 12 months with them repairing the main.

Cold weather in places that aren't accustomed to it really sucks. I wish you good fortune in this!

Cheers-mk

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

InstaCart or Shipt might be best bet whenever stores and roads are open. If it’s anything like post-Hurricane shopping, stores suck. Good luck.

I could, but I figure if I'm not prepared to risk my life and car on the roads, why should others? So I'll hang out till Friday when I think the temps will be well above freezing again.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by dinonz

A neighbor mentioned he has one, I've looked, and I WILL have one in the new home. Whole house, including pool and guest house. I have to decide between propane (on tanks) or diesel because where the new home is I am not sure I will have natural gas sadly.

That's the way to go.

How far out are you building? I have a sorta ex gf that built pretty far out and ran into the same problem.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Agreed! We have a Generac with natural gas, first time the power went out and it kicked on....oh it made it all worthwhile. And every time after that I still sort of smile, got lights, heat, water, do whatever I want pretty much and its like I'm unaffected.

We went away one time during an ice storm and gave our neighbours the key so they could shower and cook in our house - good thing too because apparently the power didn't come back for about 3 days. Shortly thereafter, they invested in a generator. Specifically, the wife told the husband they were getting a generator or else.

FIL had a full natural gas generator installed after CT suffered a really bad ice storm in October, 2011. They lost power for over a week then. Since he's had the generator, it's kicked on once for a short power failure. I think he paid around $6K-$8K for it. But he still swears it's been worth every penny to know he's set if he ever loses power like that again. Plus, that's an investment that'll come back to him if/when he ever sells that house.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

I hope so.

These are not good surprises. We had a crack in a main waterline of a 386 unit apartment complex. NOLA sent us a water bill for $150K USD for one month of service. The accountant went into cardiac arrest when he opened the bill. Luckily one of the partners was an attorney and we negotiated it down to 10% over the nominal monthly billing for the past 12 months with them repairing the main.

Cold weather in places that aren't accustomed to it really sucks. I wish you good fortune in this!

Cheers-mk

Thanks - I think I'd go into cardiac arrest at that bill too!

This has really made my builder and I re-think a lot of things - he emailed, and listed stuff he's going to do on all future homes to help people get through things like this, and I've been looking at generators and frost free bibs as well - anything that helps.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

That's the way to go.

How far out are you building? I have a sorta ex gf that built pretty far out and ran into the same problem.

I'm only about 6 miles from a small town, but with just 19 homes in the community of about 300 acres, I doubt the gas company will be racing out there.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by dinonz

I could, but I figure if I'm not prepared to risk my life and car on the roads, why should others? So I'll hang out till Friday when I think the temps will be well above freezing again.

Fewer people on the road and in stores if shoppers are out there for multiple people instead of everyone going to the store. If they are out shopping, they will be out whether you order from them or not.

[dscabra]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Ugh.

I highly recommend a Generac. A natural gas connection is preferred, as well...usually the last thing to go out in a disaster.

After loosing power for many hours after a storm, I installed a 17kw Generac auto-standby generator. It runs on natural gas and can operate for 200 hours before requiring a shutdown for maintenance (oil change). Late last year, we had a 14-hour power outage in the neighborhood and I'm sure my neighbors were envious of my house with lights and heat!

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Thanks - I think I'd go into cardiac arrest at that bill too!

This has really made my builder and I re-think a lot of things - he emailed, and listed stuff he's going to do on all future homes to help people get through things like this, and I've been looking at generators and frost free bibs as well - anything that helps.

The Tesla Power watchmacallit is a battery back-up for homes that's pretty cool even though it's pricy. They quoted me $57K for 7 battery cells and $16K for solar cells for the roof of a 3200 square foot home.

Generac makes a similar system, as well.

https://www.ecodirect.com/Generac-PW...nds%20-%20Misc

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by dinonz

I'm only about 6 miles from a small town, but with just 19 homes in the community of about 300 acres, I doubt the gas company will be racing out there.

Therein lay the problem. I'd still aggravate the crap out of them!!

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by dscabra

After loosing power for many hours after a storm, I installed a 17kw Generac auto-standby generator. It runs on natural gas and can operate for 200 hours before requiring a shutdown for maintenance (oil change). Late last year, we had a 14-hour power outage in the neighborhood and I'm sure my neighbors were envious of my house with lights and heat!

Good endorsement for these systems. (I don't sell them, I just believe in them.)

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by dinonz

The Diablo would be the obvious choice - very wedge front end, low to the ground, and AWD. Perfect!

And the detailer would be wearing so many clothes the only one who might get excited would be the Michelin Man.

True, but wouldn't it be impolite of you to not offer her the opportunity to soothe her aching muscles in the hot tub immediately after she has finished?

You aren't a Texan, I do understand that, but still, Texas hospitality and all, yes? And you are only doing it out of the niceness of your heart.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

The Tesla Power watchmacallit is a battery back-up for homes that's pretty cool even though it's pricy. They quoted me $57K for 7 battery cells and $16K for solar cells for the roof of a 3200 square foot home.

Generac makes a similar system, as well.

https://www.ecodirect.com/Generac-PW...nds%20-%20Misc

Solare I am not sure is worth the cost - takes years to recover that, but the battery backup could be a consideration.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

True, but wouldn't it be impolite of you to not offer her the opportunity to soothe her aching muscles in the hot tub immediately after she has finished?

You aren't a Texan, I do understand that, but still, Texas hospitality and all, yes? And you are only doing it out of the niceness of your heart.

I doubt she will ever get in...

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Solare I am not sure is worth the cost - takes years to recover that, but the battery backup could be a consideration.

Agreed.

If it is a new construction and one could use tax credits (sic) to recover some of the initial capitalization, it may be something to consider. Otherwise...the numbers would be something for Al Capone's accountant and we know how good ol' Al ended up.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Agreed.

If it is a new construction and one could use tax credits (sic) to recover some of the initial capitalization, it may be something to consider. Otherwise...the numbers would be something for Al Capone's accountant and we know how good ol' Al ended up.

It is new construction, but the cost even with credits is high, and the benefits are low.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by dinonz

It is new construction, but the cost even with credits is high, and the benefits are low.

Makes sense!

[UncleWede]

About this time last year, the thermo-coupler went out on the water heater. I contacted the manufacturer, and it took 4 days for them to ship me a replacement under warranty, then the next day to get the plumber to install.
Last night the pilot went out again, and there is no restarting it today. A) I order another one from the manufacturer, hope it gets thru the snow to Cali, and then in 3-5 days I get another shower. B) I call said plumber and he brings me a new 50gal for about $1300, and they stock the parts for the future.
In this consideration, since I helped my brother oil his cabinets before the owner-inspection today, he let me use his shower. Today is the last workday of the week for me.

Yeah, I'm on the phone now for a replacement. . .


Joekerr does latte milk in bags even fit in a wedge-Lambo???