Winter 2019/2020

[Robinjopo1]

Decided to start a thread about what preps we are doing this Winter etc.

We can keep up wi th weather etc. I'll start......

Today I finished wrapping my coop with Corning underlay that I had left over from the new roof. I also loosely wrapped 3 sides of my hives. I must say this is against the advise of my mentor. I can just see those little bees freezing. It's my mommy instinct.

I removed the leaves on top of the netting that covers the run. My thinking is that if they get wet and freeze, the weight will collapse the netting and then critters will get in and eat my chickens.

I did all of this before 9 a.m.

Arctic, it's 30 here and my hands are frozen even wearing gloves. I don't see how you do it. 30° is probably swimming weather for you.

 

[GaRp58]

Really do not have anything to do in Germany for winter except to put the GBH and winter survival bag of warm clothes, food, water and stuff back into the Renault, in case we get stuck in a traffic jam.
I just really hate that I could not make it to Hungary this year. My brother-in-law had to repair the roof on the garage quickly after a storm pulled off some of the tarpaper and shingles. Plastic with cross boards and nails are not the most waterproof roofing materials...Hope it holds thru the winter! GP

 

[Maverick]

This what I use to check long range

http://www.longrangeweather.com/weather-forecasts/US-City.aspx

 

[GaRp58]

Wow, good stuff Maynerd. Only I can watch how the weather is in Austin Tx. and warn my mom to close the windows...
Maybe I could find something like this for Germany. How reliable has/have the forecasts been in the last years?

 

[Maverick]

Wow, good stuff Maynerd. Only I can watch how the weather is in Austin Tx. and warn my mom to close the windows...
Maybe I could find something like this for Germany. How reliable has/have the forecasts been in the last years?

Good enough to pay them $145 a year for daily subscription. Weather is important to us here.

 

[Robinjopo1]

This what I use to check long range

http://www.longrangeweather.com/weather-forecasts/US-City.aspx

Thanks. I always use NOAA. I'll check it out. Oops can't do $145. Our locals have been so wrong the last 2 year's. More so than years past. It's seems that grandpa's bursitis is more reliable than high tech radar.

 

[Maverick]

Thanks. I always use NOAA. I'll check it out. Oops can't do $145. Our locals have been so wrong the last 2 year's. More so than years past. It's seems that grandpa's bursitis is more reliable than high tech radar.

You can still use it lol, the $145 is for a daily report not using the web site I should have made that clear

 

[Robinjopo1]

Just tried to blow some if the fallen leaves and my blower goes for a few minutes then dies. I tried blowing all parts with carburetor cleaner but didnt work. Guess I'll have to use an old fashioned take until my brother can come look at it. He's supposed to come fix the collapsing coop floor.

 

[Robinjopo1]

You can still use it lol, the $145 is for a daily report not using the web site I should have made that clear

Thanks. I'm poor

 

[Maverick]

Just tried to blow some if the fallen leaves and my blower goes for a few minutes then dies. I tried blowing all parts with carburetor cleaner but didnt work. Guess I'll have to use an old fashioned take until my brother can come look at it. He's supposed to come fix the collapsing coop floor.

how old is it, 2-cycle gas blowers have an MTF (means time to failure) after certain amount of hours before needing rebuilt or replaced.

 

[GaRp58]

Try to check the little filter in the gas-tank. If it runs shortly and then goes out, and this repeats itself, the motor and carb are OK. It's running, just not getting a constant flow of fuel, the filter plugs up and when it goes out, the dirt drops back away from the filter till it gets sucked up again. Might be wrong, might be right...GP

 

[Maverick]

using fuel with ethanol is hard on the rubbers in these types of engines.

 

[Maverick]

https://www.foxnews.com/us/artic-surge-record-cold-temperatures

 

[Robinjopo1]

Try to check the little filter in the gas-tank. If it runs shortly and then goes out, and this repeats itself, the motor and carb are OK. It's running, just not getting a constant flow of fuel, the filter plugs up and when it goes out, the dirt drops back away from the filter till it gets sucked up again. Might be wrong, might be right...GP

Thanks. Any ideas work for me.

 

[Robinjopo1]

https://www.foxnews.com/us/artic-surge-record-cold-temperatures

I hope we get snow this year instead of the cold rain we had all last Winter. It made me miserable. If it's cold, I want snow.

One model is showing 13° one night this week, but another has it 19°. Either is cold.

 

[Silent Earth]

WINTER PREP CHECK LIST (2014 version)

Prevention is better than cure keep your house and vehicle etc properly maintained at all times.

House / retreat

Winter fire wood obtained / cut / dried and accessible when snow has fallen

Coal / Oil stocks ordered? Delivered and stored properly

Gas bottles changed and empty ones refilled / replaced

Gutters cleaned, drain traps cleared of debris

Fencing and posts checked for integrity and stability

Check security lights (Bulbs, Clean lenses, Clean PIRs)

Window seals checked (black and green algae scraped off seals / drain points)

Boiler (furnace) serviced and certified

Set thermostat on heating to prevent freezing of system

Bleed Radiators

Doors /windows draught proofed

Drains free flowing and clear of debris

Locks and hinges oiled

Spare candles / flashlights / Chemical Light Sticks / lanterns etc,

Emergency heating kit checked

Snow shovel / ice scrapers to hand

Pre-salted sloping access roads / drives?

Spare fuses/ circuit breakers

Boarding up shuttering for broken windows set aside (with fittings)

Weather warning radio working and tuned in to local service

Sweep Chimney if you have wood / coal stove, check ventilation - drafting

Clean solar panels, check wiring / battery bank / specific gravity/ fluid levels.

Check and maintain external aerials TV / CB / Cell / Ham and cable connectors

Check & replace bottled gas regulator and hose if over 3 years old

Defrost and clean out freezers if heavily iced up

Clean, oil and maintain power tools like Chainsaws etc

Garden furniture brought in or covered up

*Check on neighbour’s well-being? *

Livestock / pets sorted out

Animal feedstock got in.

Greenhouses cleaned and disinfected, glass checked for integrity

Tools cleaned, disinfected, oiled and put away

Sheds / Garages/ Stores checked for weatherproofing and security




Personal / family

Extra food stocks got in case of snow / ice storm / whiteout

Rotate food stocks if necessary to ensure freshness

Prescription medicines got in if required by family members

Winter clothing got out of storage cleaned / aired and reproofed if necessary

Boots weatherproofed and cleaned

New script eye glasses obtained if necessary

Cans / foods rotated

Water filters cleaned / elements changed

Caches checked, updated etc

Bug out routes reccied

BOB’s checked and updated if necessary

Contact plans / pick up plans arranged for family members stranded by weather at school or work etc.

Personal security equipment cleaned / oil / checked etc







Vehicles

Get the latest Council winter road gritting map and plan your commute / BO routes accordingly

Check CB / Ham radio installation

Top up / change antifreeze

Tighten /adjust drive belts

Tyre condition /pressures

Jet wash underside, valet / polish bodywork

Check hoses for cracks, splits and tightness of hose clips

Lube locks

Change wiper blades (normally bi-annually)

Replace HL bulbs if over 5 years old (they have lost 20% of their brightness)

Check M & S tyres condition if still in store

Check your tyre chains

Fit thinner oil if you live in very northern climes.

Check battery condition and leads

Check demister / de-icer systems

Degrease windscreen inside and out

Radio set to accept weather and traffic news reports

Update Satnav data / Get new road map

Sleeping bag/ survival blanket

Chemical light sticks / flashlights/spare batteries

Candle/ matches

Snow dye

Survival kit

Shovel

Snow mats

Short wave radio / batteries

Hot drink making kit




Vehicle spares,

bulbs & fuses,

belts,

plugs,

leads,

oil,

coolant,

hose clips,

hose repair kit,

exhaust repair kit,

cable ties & duct tape

snow chains

wheel brace

spanners / sockets and screwdrivers

sockets

tyre levers & tyre pump

 

[Robinjopo1]

WINTER PREP CHECK LIST (2014 version)

Prevention is better than cure keep your house and vehicle etc properly maintained at all times.

House / retreat

Winter fire wood obtained / cut / dried and accessible when snow has fallen

Coal / Oil stocks ordered? Delivered and stored properly

Gas bottles changed and empty ones refilled / replaced

Gutters cleaned, drain traps cleared of debris

Fencing and posts checked for integrity and stability

Check security lights (Bulbs, Clean lenses, Clean PIRs)

Window seals checked (black and green algae scraped off seals / drain points)

Boiler (furnace) serviced and certified

Set thermostat on heating to prevent freezing of system

Bleed Radiators

Doors /windows draught proofed

Drains free flowing and clear of debris

Locks and hinges oiled

Spare candles / flashlights / Chemical Light Sticks / lanterns etc,

Emergency heating kit checked

Snow shovel / ice scrapers to hand

Pre-salted sloping access roads / drives?

Spare fuses/ circuit breakers

Boarding up shuttering for broken windows set aside (with fittings)

Weather warning radio working and tuned in to local service

Sweep Chimney if you have wood / coal stove, check ventilation - drafting

Clean solar panels, check wiring / battery bank / specific gravity/ fluid levels.

Check and maintain external aerials TV / CB / Cell / Ham and cable connectors

Check & replace bottled gas regulator and hose if over 3 years old

Defrost and clean out freezers if heavily iced up

Clean, oil and maintain power tools like Chainsaws etc

Garden furniture brought in or covered up

*Check on neighbour’s well-being? *

Livestock / pets sorted out

Animal feedstock got in.

Greenhouses cleaned and disinfected, glass checked for integrity

Tools cleaned, disinfected, oiled and put away

Sheds / Garages/ Stores checked for weatherproofing and security




Personal / family

Extra food stocks got in case of snow / ice storm / whiteout

Rotate food stocks if necessary to ensure freshness

Prescription medicines got in if required by family members

Winter clothing got out of storage cleaned / aired and reproofed if necessary

Boots weatherproofed and cleaned

New script eye glasses obtained if necessary

Cans / foods rotated

Water filters cleaned / elements changed

Caches checked, updated etc

Bug out routes reccied

BOB’s checked and updated if necessary

Contact plans / pick up plans arranged for family members stranded by weather at school or work etc.

Personal security equipment cleaned / oil / checked etc







Vehicles

Get the latest Council winter road gritting map and plan your commute / BO routes accordingly

Check CB / Ham radio installation

Top up / change antifreeze

Tighten /adjust drive belts

Tyre condition /pressures

Jet wash underside, valet / polish bodywork

Check hoses for cracks, splits and tightness of hose clips

Lube locks

Change wiper blades (normally bi-annually)

Replace HL bulbs if over 5 years old (they have lost 20% of their brightness)

Check M & S tyres condition if still in store

Check your tyre chains

Fit thinner oil if you live in very northern climes.

Check battery condition and leads

Check demister / de-icer systems

Degrease windscreen inside and out

Radio set to accept weather and traffic news reports

Update Satnav data / Get new road map

Sleeping bag/ survival blanket

Chemical light sticks / flashlights/spare batteries

Candle/ matches

Snow dye

Survival kit

Shovel

Snow mats

Short wave radio / batteries

Hot drink making kit




Vehicle spares,

bulbs & fuses,

belts,

plugs,

leads,

oil,

coolant,

hose clips,

hose repair kit,

exhaust repair kit,

cable ties & duct tape

snow chains

wheel brace

spanners / sockets and screwdrivers

sockets

tyre levers & tyre pump

Great list. One thing I didn't know until lately....mm I was told to keep the fan running in my heat/AC unit to continually filter air. Now, I have been told by a tech that if you do, it can cause moisture buildup and cause mold. I've been doing it wrong for years.

 

[Silent Earth]

Great list. One thing I didn't know until lately....mm I was told to keep the fan running in my heat/AC unit to continually filter air. Now, I have been told by a tech that if you do, it can cause moisture buildup and cause mold. I've been doing it wrong for years.

And Legionaires disease as well.

 

[Danil54grl]

I have noticed how thick the hair on my goats are so I am expecting a cold winter this year. We are already using the wood stove. . . last night it got too hot though and woke me up a couple times. After waking up at 2 am I figured I would just go ahead and go into to work which worked out for me. The truck that we were expecting on Wed finally showed up today. It was a 10 hr day to get it all done. I was told Mon I am up 40% in sells from last year so I am happy about that, that means job security.

 

[Robinjopo1]

I have noticed how thick the hair on my goats are so I am expecting a cold winter this year. We are already using the wood stove. . . last night it got too hot though and woke me up a couple times. After waking up at 2 am I figured I would just go ahead and go into to work which worked out for me. The truck that we were expecting on Wed finally showed up today. It was a 10 hr say to get it all done. I was told Mon I am up 40% in sells from last year so I am happy about that, that means job security.

Nothing like job security.

One of my hand is molting. What terrible timing.