Preparing for Winter V

Eenymeeny

Minus 3 and sunny here this morning. Not expected to climb above 1 degree at lunchtime! The first really chilly day and a sharp reminder of what can be on it's way. Thanks for the reminder about the water butts Pattypan4. I will check the outside taps for insulation while I'm there. (Bubble wrap still on from last year around the pipes so worth checking and maybe an extra layer added. I reuse the interiors from postal packets over the taps once I know that I'm unlikely to be using the taps until Spring)
I swept the paths and hard areas yesterday as they can get slippy so nice to know that's done.
Quite pretty today as everything is covered in frost and the sun is shining. Lots of birds in the garden, will top up feeders while I'm out there too. Stay warm everyone :snow_grin

mardatha

Would anybody in here know of a good way to insulate the valve at the top of a propane cylinder? The only way I know to thaw it is to run warm water on it but of course that then freezes up again. Tried wrapping it in wool, that just draws moisture in - which freezes.

greenbee

Bubblewrap? Or the silver space blanket stuff?

A quick google suggests that it might be an issue with the quality of the propane, and also that putting the cylinder up high so that the gas is running downhill from the regulator as you draw it off might work. There also seems to be a way of using two regulators so that the condensate falls back into the cylinder.

Try posting on oil/lpg etc board as there is bound to be someone technical there!

silverwhistle

Eenymeeny wrote: »

(Bubble wrap still on from last year around the pipes so worth checking and maybe an extra layer added. I reuse the interiors from postal packets over the taps once I know that I'm unlikely to be using the taps until Spring)

Ooh thats a good one.


I demolished half a pallet and chopped a bit of kindling this morning and brought some firewood in. It's seasoned but need to get the ready ammunition locker stuff inside out of the damp cold. Grabbed a couple of newspapers from the bins at mum's flats: the Daily Mail is a well known inflammatory rag so quite appropriate for fire starters.



When is it going to be a dry day again? I'll put my snow tyres on then, even if I don't really need them on the south coast. Got them for skiing holidays a few years ago and they do add a layer of safety.



Mardartha, not sure about propane: had an external gas bottle on the balcony in the Alps for many years and no problems, but perhaps that was butane? Maybe wrap around a discarded top for more insulation? Don't let ashes hand around inside in a bucket: classic cause of CO poisoning but I suspect you know that.


Somebody mentioned cereal bars for the car. Put me in mind to make a batch of flapjacks. Must remember to shove a hat in with my football kit: we all got very cold and (very) wet at training last week, and some of the smaller lasses aren't quite as well insulated as others..!


Off to light the stove and prep a private lesson I'm giving tonight. It doesn't seem so much like work when I'm sat in front of the flames..

pattypan4

mardatha, a poly bag full of fluffed up wool. placed over the valve and tied on with string

mardatha

Ahhh. I have some unused loft insulation... eureka!:D;)
It's not the gas that freezes, its the regulator when it gets moisture in it. I might be better getting a wee wooden box made for it..

Novice_investor101

Yesterday started with a crisp, hard frost. First really cold day of winter this year. I was highly impressed with my £20 decathlon puffy jacket, very warm considering the temp was -1c.

The house seems to be staying warm, too. Currently unable to sleep & I'm slightly too warm in bed.

pennypenny123

Best way to clean glass door, I find, is damp screwed up paper dipped in ash and rub. Comes up sparking. X

Lucy5781

It really was cold last week, jumper and new puffy, thigh length coat whilst pushing the buggy and I didn't overheat (and I'm in the home counties barely 20mins up from North London!!). Bit warmer this week but damp and overcast.

Should get cold and frosty again by the end of the week. Both kids now going to bed wrapped in fleece blankets I bought back in the spring from Aldi.

3yr old DS needs socks in bed, 19mth old DD doesn't.... Amazing how different they can be!

Novice_investor101

It was briefly cold up here (south Yorks) last week, but has now gone back to wet & dull. I'd like dry & cold back again, tbh.

House holding up well in terms of keeping the heat in. Dips to around 15c when the heating is off & quick to warm up when it comes in at 5pm.
I've got the winter duvet on & wearing PJ's to bed, with a blanket over the top. Nice & cosy.