I've been using a trash can to cover the plugs for heat tape... because having a nuisance trip on GFI circuit causing burst pipes (buried!) ain't so cool, no pun intended. I've seen people using foam and gaffer's tape to cover the gaps. I guess this makes sense too! One gotcha on heat tape is to NOT use it inside or leave parts of it curled up. One thing I found that really helped with those sewer hoses was to buy some 4-inch PVC pipe and use it to make sure they're always straight and slightly tilted. It also makes lifting them to be sure they're fully drained after a flush, much easier to be sure you got it all. Beware sun rot. Flexible hoses are not really meant to be used for long-term use, so us full-timers have to either cover it with tape, or place it under the skirting/trailer, or place it inside sacrificial PVC. Oh, and always have some Gorilla Tough & Wide or 4" vinyl(i.e. Scotchrap) handy for ...well you'll know the reasons when they happen! XD
reminder for those who are just joining this webcomic. Riley's Patreon can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/Jrileymc ...Oh and don't forget to click the "You Like This" button in the lower right hand corner of the comic
I saw an interesting development in the news today, one of the muppets in Sesame Street is dealing with homelessness: https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/12/health/sesame-street-homeless-muppet-bn/index.html
you are prepared for everything in the winter. i hope you can keep the warm. i hope that you got a nice thick blanket to wrap yourself in and a cup of warm tea or chocolate.. and watch something on your laptop if you still got one it is. i wish you the best.
When I was living on Vashon Island (Washington State) winter temperatures often got down to -20f at the time we were running a 1 Inch pvc plastic pip along the ground to provide water to fill our 1000 gallon holding tank. This pipe broke five times that I remember. so my Stepfather and I had to trace the pipe to the break. the pipe was held together with Pressure Clamps so we could change out sections of the pipe quickly. We had to remove up to eight feet of ice from the pipe from both sides of the break.
I would suggest keeping the water flowing at at least a trickle to keep every thing flowing. Dammaged pipes in a camper are no fun.
Go to this address to see what red cross has to say about the potential of freezing water pipes.
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html
I've customized plastic boxes for power cords like you have. The problem I ran into is that the plastic turns brittle and cracks after about a year outdoors. I hate adding more waste plastic to the environment. I bought a SockitBox about 4 years ago and it's held up well (it's left outside year round). The color has faded, but the rubber seals and plastic clips are still intact and flexible. The rubber seals mean it's watertight without having to drill holes and seal them with tape/epoxy.
All these things homeowners take for granted, like water that doesn't freeze, are more complicated for people in mobile homes. I'm going to send over a ceramic heater for Christmas, in case you need a backup for the propane for whatever reason. It has safeties on it to automatically shut down if it falls over or its fan shuts off, so it should be safe to use when you're not at home.
There are places near the tree line that freezing is a common problem even for homeowners. Main thing with those heaters is to not have them anywhere near anything flammable, and they shut off if knocked over, yeah. Pets and kids are the usual exceptions to that rule, of course. There's a type that mounts on a strong metal hook on the ceiling, that I used when renting a cabin in Victor, Colorado. Those types of space heater are basically foolproof, safetywise.
The irony is that back in the days when everyone got their water from the public well, it wouldn't freeze in winter because it was deep enough to be below the frost line. We had to start piping water above-ground before winter freezes became a problem.
alphamule at 3:22PM, Feb. 15, 2019
I've been using a trash can to cover the plugs for heat tape... because having a nuisance trip on GFI circuit causing burst pipes (buried!) ain't so cool, no pun intended. I've seen people using foam and gaffer's tape to cover the gaps. I guess this makes sense too! One gotcha on heat tape is to NOT use it inside or leave parts of it curled up. One thing I found that really helped with those sewer hoses was to buy some 4-inch PVC pipe and use it to make sure they're always straight and slightly tilted. It also makes lifting them to be sure they're fully drained after a flush, much easier to be sure you got it all. Beware sun rot. Flexible hoses are not really meant to be used for long-term use, so us full-timers have to either cover it with tape, or place it under the skirting/trailer, or place it inside sacrificial PVC. Oh, and always have some Gorilla Tough & Wide or 4" vinyl(i.e. Scotchrap) handy for ...well you'll know the reasons when they happen! XD
Nowhereman10 at 5:16AM, Dec. 13, 2018
reminder for those who are just joining this webcomic. Riley's Patreon can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/Jrileymc ...Oh and don't forget to click the "You Like This" button in the lower right hand corner of the comic
felonimayhem at 6:45PM, Dec. 12, 2018
I saw an interesting development in the news today, one of the muppets in Sesame Street is dealing with homelessness: https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/12/health/sesame-street-homeless-muppet-bn/index.html
alphamule at 3:23PM, Feb. 15, 2019
Uhm... Wasn't that the entire point of the Grouch?
Mr Kaos at 11:23AM, Dec. 12, 2018
you are prepared for everything in the winter. i hope you can keep the warm. i hope that you got a nice thick blanket to wrap yourself in and a cup of warm tea or chocolate.. and watch something on your laptop if you still got one it is. i wish you the best.
itsune9tl at 6:14AM, Dec. 12, 2018
When I was living on Vashon Island (Washington State) winter temperatures often got down to -20f at the time we were running a 1 Inch pvc plastic pip along the ground to provide water to fill our 1000 gallon holding tank. This pipe broke five times that I remember. so my Stepfather and I had to trace the pipe to the break. the pipe was held together with Pressure Clamps so we could change out sections of the pipe quickly. We had to remove up to eight feet of ice from the pipe from both sides of the break. I would suggest keeping the water flowing at at least a trickle to keep every thing flowing. Dammaged pipes in a camper are no fun.
itsune9tl at 6:02AM, Dec. 12, 2018
Go to this address to see what red cross has to say about the potential of freezing water pipes. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html
Makaira at 2:51AM, Dec. 12, 2018
I've customized plastic boxes for power cords like you have. The problem I ran into is that the plastic turns brittle and cracks after about a year outdoors. I hate adding more waste plastic to the environment. I bought a SockitBox about 4 years ago and it's held up well (it's left outside year round). The color has faded, but the rubber seals and plastic clips are still intact and flexible. The rubber seals mean it's watertight without having to drill holes and seal them with tape/epoxy.
kyoshiro at 8:53PM, Dec. 11, 2018
Stay warm Riley!
man in black at 6:34PM, Dec. 11, 2018
Great page
felonimayhem at 9:21AM, Dec. 11, 2018
All these things homeowners take for granted, like water that doesn't freeze, are more complicated for people in mobile homes. I'm going to send over a ceramic heater for Christmas, in case you need a backup for the propane for whatever reason. It has safeties on it to automatically shut down if it falls over or its fan shuts off, so it should be safe to use when you're not at home.
alphamule at 3:28PM, Feb. 15, 2019
There are places near the tree line that freezing is a common problem even for homeowners. Main thing with those heaters is to not have them anywhere near anything flammable, and they shut off if knocked over, yeah. Pets and kids are the usual exceptions to that rule, of course. There's a type that mounts on a strong metal hook on the ceiling, that I used when renting a cabin in Victor, Colorado. Those types of space heater are basically foolproof, safetywise.
Makaira at 2:40AM, Dec. 12, 2018
The irony is that back in the days when everyone got their water from the public well, it wouldn't freeze in winter because it was deep enough to be below the frost line. We had to start piping water above-ground before winter freezes became a problem.