With the mild winters we've had over the past several years, we've had to re-learn an old Southern tradition during cold snaps. Leave a drip going. This is the hardest winter we've had in several years, and water pipes freeze up and burst when left unattended. For example, as well as our house is, we have one wall that catches the full north breeze and cools very quickly. Our water pipes go through that wall, and our water heater is on that wall. I've learned that if the temps get down to the low 20s, it is prudent to leave drip going in the kitchen sink. We haven't burst a pipe yet, but we have frozen a few.
Belle is of the opinion that hot water is a vital necessity. She insists on bathing in hot water every day. I have tried to tell her that she only needs hot water once a week or so, that using hot water ever day is frivolous and extravagant, but she's a woman of the modern era. She wants hot water on demand.
So, with the temps predicted to be in the low 20s tonight, I think I'll leave a drip going in the kitchen sink this evening. It's a small price to pay for marital harmony. And, as we all know, if Momma ain't happy, no one is happy.
Yep, doing the same thing up here. In the teens/single digits, I'm NOT taking a chance...
ReplyDeleteYep, a water bill increase of a coupla bucks vs. cost of fixing burst pipe. If you want to be frugal, place a gallon jug under the drip to catch it for later use. Waste not want not and all.
ReplyDeleteI'm hard up against the Rio Grande River waaaay down in south Texas (RGV) and Tuesday was a mite brisk. Snow flurries even - that is rare down here.
Try and stay warm and have a pleasant weekend.