Tired of ICE (new house, camp, living)

[tcrackly]

Did ya get much snow where you are? When we have an extended period without power we are able to either melt snow or haul water fro the nearby pond. Sorry you are in such a fix. I always figure it gives us more appreciation how so much of the global population has to live like that every day.

[inthetrees]

Originally Posted by American girl

Did that. Ran out.

Consider getting a new toilet.
We got a new toilet last year, uses just a bit over a gallon per flush and never need to flush twice. We had 18 gallon Rubbermaid in the bathtub filled with water, didnt even go thru half of it. Edit: also, if you have a working stopper, just fill your whole tub, we dont so we went the rubbermaid route.

Then again our power was only out for 12 hours....But still the old toilet used about 4 gallons per flush!

edit: nearly our whole street is without power tonight, except for us and a few other houses. Guessing one of the big trees overhanging the lines snapped.

[Maine Writer]

We drove from the Topsfield area to Bangor and back today. We have a lot more ice out here. By the time we got to Lincoln there was very little. The trees on Rt 6 from Springfield to Topsfield are leaning more this evening than were early this afternoon. I filled the bathtub again to be on the safe side. It's going to be a long winter. It's nice to be on the snowmobile and snowshoes already but I'll be hoping for an early spring.

[221B]

Originally Posted by inthetrees

Consider getting a new toilet.
We got a new toilet last year, uses just a bit over a gallon per flush and never need to flush twice. We had 18 gallon Rubbermaid in the bathtub filled with water, didnt even go thru half of it. Edit: also, if you have a working stopper, just fill your whole tub, we dont so we went the rubbermaid route.

Then again our power was only out for 12 hours....But still the old toilet used about 4 gallons per flush!

edit: nearly our whole street is without power tonight, except for us and a few other houses. Guessing one of the big trees overhanging the lines snapped.

I heard it is not good for the well pump to be without power for an extended period of time. I think something to do with contamination. Can anyone add detail to this, and if so, ways to deal with power outages and the effects with the well pump system? Thanks.

[Brodels]

It doesn't seem so bad to the north. I went to Presque Isle on Tuesday and came back yesterday, and the roads were fine. I haven't had any trouble getting around Bangor, either, but I know a lot of people are suffering. I know several folks who have been without power since Monday and have been trying to keep the pipes from freezing. Hopefully Saturday's warmer temperatures will melt some of the ice on the trees.

As bad it has been for some folks, I do have to say that the ice-covered trees are really quite beautiful. It certainly doesn't make up for the frozen pipes, carbon monoxide poisoning, car accidents, etc., but the trees are nice to look at right now.

[maureenb]

Not sure about well water 'contamination'. This time of year the water is cold enough I personally wouldn't think about proliferation of bacteria, but that's just me.

One thing that can happen to your well water system following a power outage is:

You (I) space out and keep using your (my) household water system, dropping the water level in the well expansion tank - below the low pressure level that would normally cause the electrical switch to kick the pump on, recharging the tank with water. You (I) then have to manually reset the pressure switch.

[Pretzelogik]

Originally Posted by 399083453

Weather is different every year. Its what makes new england, new england. If I wanted sunny and 85 degrees everyday without any variation, I'd move to Los Angeles, CA

There is one constant about weather...it is always changing.

[Radio Flyer]

Look at Sunday's forecast, kids.

A few more weeks of this nonsense and I'll be one of those folks you see interviewed on the news saying, "This is it. I can't take another winter. I'm moving to Florida!"

Just kidding. I think.

[221B]

Originally Posted by maureenb

Not sure about well water 'contamination'. This time of year the water is cold enough I personally wouldn't think about proliferation of bacteria, but that's just me.

One thing that can happen to your well water system following a power outage is:

You (I) space out and keep using your (my) household water system, dropping the water level in the well expansion tank - below the low pressure level that would normally cause the electrical switch to kick the pump on, recharging the tank with water. You (I) then have to manually reset the pressure switch.

I see; that explanation helps a lot! I think I need to start a list of "To Dos", based on different weather situations. I suppose it becomes second nature after a few seasons, though.

[akambuda]

This thread is actually really encouraging for me. I'm really looking forward to moving to Maine from Alaska next year.
Ice is like dirt for me now. The whole world is white for at least 7 straight months every year here. We haven't been much above -15 for weeks. The trees are ALL ice trees here ALL winter long. The snow in my yard averages 4 to 9 feet for about 6 months of every year. Our days are just over 4 hours long right now.
I personally kind of thrive on the miserable cold. It makes the wonderful summer warmth that much more enjoyable.
Sounds like I'll still get my share of winter
Stay warm and safe everyone!