Gettin er Done at Home

Gettin er Done at Home

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

How To Prevent Your Water Well From Freezing


I had recently written a blog on "How To Prevent and Fix Your Water Pipes From Freezing" as posted below. Addressing the serious needs of many throughout the United States who are currently suffering from the serious Arctic temperatures we have been experiencing this winter. In response I have received many inquires for "How To Keep A Water Well From Freezing." Not everyone has a municipal water supply. To the contrary, many have wells located several feet outside their homes. Especially in mountainous and  southern regions.

Typical Well Head
Well Head w Outside Pressure Tank

Typical Well Cross Section

Preventing damage to pipes from a frozen water well is one of the responsibilities of getting water from a well in lieu of from a municipal water provider.

PREVENTION
  • Purchase an insulated well cover  ( Several types are available)

Insulated Fiberglass Cover w 4 x 4 Frame w Gravel
Simulated Rock Covers

Wood Shed Style Cover
 Lowe's and other major suppliers have a large selection of water well covers:                             Lowe's Water Well Covers

    •  Wrap heat tape every 1 to 1 1/2 inches around the supply pipe coming from the well. Then using pipe insulation wrap the pipe covering the heat tape.  Then using an exterior grade extension cord plug the heat tape into the nearest outside outlet. Make sure you purchase the better grade heat tape that has a built in thermostat to enure you do not waste electricity.














    • The most effective and old school trick to preventing you water well from freezing is to take a small desk lamp or hanging utility light, or simply a bulb socket with a corded end and 60 Watt light bulb and hang it in a plywood box or equivalent.  Using this box to cover the well. You can quickly make a wood box out of scrap lumber or via pre-cut plywood pieces sold at you local home center. Using drywall screws to secure all sides. Plug the light into an outdoor extension cord leading to to an outlet nearest the well. The simple heat from this bulb will ensure that the temperature of the water coming from the well to the pipes stays above freezing. Turn the light on when the temperatures are at there coldest.
    •  Wrap a thermal blanket around the pipes coming from the well into the well pump.  Wrap it in two thick layers. That is, wrap several pieces one on top of each other. This simple dressing especially in warmer regions will help to insulate the water well from freezing during those quick drops in temperature.
    •  At night before going to bed, leave the faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms dripping "warm" water. This will keep the hot and cold waterlines moving thus, preventing the main water supply from the well from freezing. 
    EMERGENCY FIXING / REPAIR

    If your water well line becomes frozen please follow this link for detailed information on how to immediately fix / repair the pipe: "How To Prevent and Fix Frozen Water Pipes"

    If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me at gettinerdoneathome@gmail.com or through our web site:  http://www.scottbinsackgettinerdoneathome.com/
    Thank you,
    "Scott Binsack"


    Monday, January 27, 2014

    "Gettin er Done at Home" How To Library: Scott Binsack : New Web Site Launch "Gettin er Don...

    Scott Binsack : New Web Site Launch "Gettin er Done at Home": "Scott Binsack" has launched the web site to host his new home improvement show "Gettin er Done at Home." The show will be premiering this spring with an hour long premier and then half an hour episodes weekly. Join him as he shows you what other home improvement shows dare to show you. You can also view the shows How To Library from this site or directly from library's blog. Scott will be uploading new how to videos bi-weekly.  Stay tuned ~~~~~
    Click this link to see the full site:
    Gettin er Done at Home Web Site


    Saturday, January 18, 2014

    A Quick Glimpse Of Our Current Project Being Filmed "Before / After"

    Here is a quick glimpse of what is coming up on the show when it premiers in April. Join master builder and host "Scott Binsack" as he takes you through every step of transforming this 10 x 12 bathroom in an early 1900's home in Central Pennsylvania. 
    This bathroom had been previously poorly remodeled in the late 60's. Scott completely gutted the space, removed a linen closet - making more space for a custom cherry built in makeup and linen area with quartz top accented with a full wall mirror (not shown in the photos below due to the show's up-and-coming  premier). Installing all new wiring - recessed lights, bath fan GFCI receptacles, rough  plumbing, insulation and sheetrock. Installing new PEX water supply lines and Nickle finished single lever shower body, with  a new fiberglass Jacuzzi Brand whirlpool and porcelain tile with glass  mosaic accents in the shower. He  removed the old floor and pored new self leveling floor leveler and topped it with 12 x 12 porcelain tile a new cherry vanity,  sink and Kohler Toilet.
    Tune in to see this incredible  transformation take place and see the other areas of this great makeover not shown below. To see a preview of this show and the work taking place follow this link HD Preview High-End Bathroom Remodel 
    ( "The final episode of this project is still being filmed" )

    Before

    After
















                  
    Before
    After
    Before
    After



    Thank you "Scott Binsack"

    Sunday, January 5, 2014

    How To Prevent And Fix Freezing Water Pipes

    With current sub zero and way below average freezing temps sweeping the United States the first thing that many homeowners   suffer from is frozen water pipes. The best way to deal with this is to prevent them from freezing in the first place. But if the freezing takes place, you'll have to act fast to minimize the damage and thus, the costs of repairs.


     Areas in red will be below 32 degrees Tuesday morning January 6, 2014. The country will basically be an ice cube. Coldest winter outbreak since 1996. 

    Map as of 01/06/14
    • Know Where Your Water Main Shut-Off Valve Is Located 
    Everybody should know where there Water main shut-off valve is located.


    This is a very important need to know that if you do not know where it is now you need to locate it and ensure it can easily be turned off. The sooner you can shut off the water in an emergency, the less it will cost you in damages later. The two most common types of shut-off valves are:

    Gate Valve
    Ball Valve




    Not Only should you know where your main is located, you want to check to see if it functions well; that is, turns on and off with ease. If it does not, then you will want to call a plumber to replace it or do it yourself.  As such, if your your home has the older gate-style valve, it will be worth the investment ($250.00 - $400.00) to have it replaced with the more reliable ball valve.
    • Preventing Frozen Water Pipes 
    1.  Let the Water Slowly Drip 

    This is the old school way and best prevention to avoid having a frozen water pipe in your home when the temperature drops down low. You should not have to let all your faucets drip, only the ones that are prone to or possibly may freeze. 
          2.   Insulate the Water Pips

    You can purchase pipe insulation that is especially made for water pipes. This type of foam insulation is inexpensive and readily available at your local home center or hardware store. It comes in lengths and rolls as well. The lengths are round and they have a slit on the side so they can be cut down to size and slid over the pipe. One type has an adhesive edge that you can simply pull off the protective strip and squeeze the seams together, making it a seamless instillation.

     The other is the same it just does not have the adhesive strip. Thus, you will have to use  duct tape or insulation tape to wrap around the insulation to secure it. I prefer the adhesive type, but still use tape as required at ends and joints.




          3. Install Heat Tape on Exposed Pipes

    This product is also readily available, but much more expensive. It also takes much longer to install. However, in some situations it is the only choice. I am not a huge fan of heat tape.
    Make sure you purchase a high quality "UL Listed" product. More importantly, ensure you are plugging it into a grounded receptacle or GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). If using an extension cord,  again use a high quality "UL Listed" product. You can also use a surge protector strip to plug in the tape as well. Once installed you then want to wrap it with a rolled type fiberglass pipe insulation also available at any home center or hardware store. Strictly follow the manufactures directions.

          4. Leave Cabinet Doors Open
    Try to leave the cabinet doors open under bathroom vanitys and kitchen sinks to allow the heat to reach the pipes.

    • Why Freezing Pipes Burst 
    Not all freezing pipes burst. However, when a pipe does burst, it is the result of water expanding when it freezes, putting serious pressure on the plumbing pipes. That pressure can cause a tiny leak at a fitting joint or  a horizontal crack on a length of pipe, unleashing the full flow of water inside your home.

    The damage from a bursting pipe is one of the most common home owners insurance claims. With an average claim cost of about $5,000.00.
    • Identifying Freezing Pipes
    A pipe coated with frost or swelling like a snake just ate a hearty meal is a good sign that it is frozen. However, not all plumbing pipes are visible. Creating a serious problem if they do freeze behind the walls, floors and/or ceilings.

    If your faucets are running slow or won't flow  and/or your toilets won't refill following a flush. that's a good sign your pipes are frozen.


    • How To Thaw A Frozen Pipe 
    As stated above, before doing anything, shut of the water main or the water supply to that section of plumbing. Because the real problem begins after the thaw. For, in some cases, the frozen water main may be acting as a stopper,  preventing the water from streaming out the crack / hole in the pipe. Accordingly, when that stopper is thawed, water comes streaming out. Thus, I recommend that you be prepared prior to beginning the thaw with towels a bucket and a mop just in case.

    Using a heat gun, hair dryer or space heater slowly thaw the length of frozen pipe.

    You can also wrap the pipe with as stated above, thermostatically controlled heat tape. It is very effective and easy to do.The one thing you do not want to do is use a propane torch to thaw pipes it presents a fire hazard.Once the pipe has been thawed out you can repair it.

    If you do not have any real plumbing experience I recommend that you call a professional plumber. Doing it your self can also be done by using new readily available quick connect fittings such as Shark Bite http://www.sharkbite.com/or the equivalent. A simple tube cutter can cut the section of damaged pipe out and then you can quickly snap on the quick connect fittings.

    • What To Do If A Pipe Bursts
    If you come home or wake up and find Niagara Falls, the first thing you want to do is shut of the main water supply as discussed above. Second, call your local plumber or get prepared to fix it yourself. Frozen pipes are very common in the winter and especially common in a season we are having currently with extremely below average temperatures. This is not a problem you want to wait on or procrastinate about, you want to rectify it at its early stages. The damage to your home can be serious and therefore costly.




    If you have any questions or a situation you need advice on please email me direct at: gettinerdoneathome@gmail.com or on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/GettinerDoneatHome

    Thank you "Scott Binsack"