We’re out of water
Posted on Jan 03, 2009 under Water | 2 CommentsWe’re trying to use less drinking water this year, but a small disaster happened which will not make it very easy to get a lower water bill this year. When we came back from celebrating the new year with family, I did my usual inspection round through the greenhouses. Upon entering the greenhouses I was greeted by the sound of splashing water and the floors where flooded.
While we where out the temperatures dropped to about -10 and this caused some of the water supply pipes in the greenhouse to tear wide open. It’s amazing how much force freezing water has. Steel pipes ripped open and water faucets cracked right off. Once the ice had started melting the next day, the pipes sprayed water into the greenhouse like crazy.
The previous owner always kept the greenhouses heated throughout the year, so he never had problems with the above-ground water pipes in the greenhouse.
The total amount of water we have lost to this little disaster is 18,000 liters, about the amount we would normally use in 45 days time. We where actually thinking about staying with the family a day longer, I’m just glad we decided to go home after all.
I’ll probably be busy most of tomorrow, trying to get some running water into the house again.
January 4th, 2009 at 5:01 am
My heart goes out to you after my own recent weather related disaster. We lost power due to an ice storm, which ended up breaking our water heater and freezing my hydro table and aerogarden solid. I wish you a speedy (and inexpensive) recovery!
January 7th, 2009 at 1:56 am
We have water in the house again. I have insulated the above ground pipes and will bury them before next winter. A lot of pipes in the greenhouse have to be replaced, but I’ll look at them when winter is over.