Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper
Frankly, I am a bit disappointed that after Katrina, winter storms, tornados, etc. we have not had more first person accounts of what worked, and didn't work, what was good advice, and bad, etc.
Those who did share, thank you very much. It is appreciated.
TR
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Although our topic has switched to tools, in light of The Reaper's post I'll add my recent experience with my furnace (AKA my boiler).
Spring has been late in coming to my area of the NE and last week Thursday I woke up in a VERY chilly bedroom. My home was built in 1941 and still has the original hot water boiler and radiators for its heating system. I was puzzled because I could hear that the system was 'running' so I knew the thermostat had kicked it on.
I walked down the stairs to the basement to find that the copper coil, that is the 'innards' of my boiler and which is heated by natural gas jets on the base of the boiler , had cracked and was now leaking water all over the floor as well as swamped the gas jets and pilot light.
1). I believe there is a 'safety' mechanism that shuts off the gas, even though the furnace was calling for it. Nevertheless, I have several Carbon Monoxide detectors properly located so that was not a problem. After having a 'scare' several years ago I believe that every home should have several and buy the good ones - carbon monoxide is not an area to pinch pennies.
2). I had no idea how to shut the water off to the boiler to stop the leaking all over the floor. Had to call a friend to come do that. ( Note to the other ladies on PS.com........make sure you find out about all the simple stuff as a home owner , like where shut off valves are for everything related to water - water to the toilet, to the outside hose connection, to your hot water heater, to your furnace if it involves hot water, etc. etc.)
3). Once the leaking water was taken care of, I knew I had to find a source of heat for the next few days and the forecast was calling for an overnight low of 0* !!
I have one of those electric sealed space heaters that has oil inside it, and it has a multiple setting thermostat. It actually looks like a radiator - you've most likely seen them.
I don't have a fireplace.
No little children around any longer, but I do have pets so whatever I use has to be 'pet' safe.
Because of that, one other older electric space heater I owned was not going to be 'safe' to use. The heating elements were too exposed for my peace of mind.
A friend loaned me another type of space heater that does have heating elements (rather than the 'oil' ) but it was much safer than the one I had. Mine is going in the trash.
The weather has gone from frigid on the night the boiler died, to 60* yesterday, and tonight we have a weather advisory for 3 - 6 " of snow once again.
So, I guess this story is about what to do if your home heating source kicks the bucket, in very cold temps, and you can't just pack up and go stay with friends or family because your pets will freeze.
It's not the standard problem when all power is lost during a blizzard, but having SAFE alternate heating sources on short notice for back up is worth thinking about BEFORE you need them.
RC201