The Campfire Trail: December 19 - DIY Homestead - The Testing of the Water System

December 19, 2022

Day 444 of the Adventure

Tomorrow, we leave to see family out west.....WAY out west. I still feel like there will be something I've missed regarding the cold that's due in two days. I used to dread cold weather because most of the cabins we had were built for warm weather. They typically had pipes far too exposed for winter-time use. It stresses the importance of planning when beginning a homestead, off-grid or cabin in the woods. In our territory, they tell us that 12" is deep enough in the ground for water lines. I like to think that 24" is better. No matter, if you choose the frost line or double the frost line, making sure everything is protected very well is essential. We even took a secondary step on the water shut off valves. There is one where the main crosses onto the property. One inside the cabin where the water comes up through the concrete floor. Plus, there's one final one outside the cabin entrance where water to the cabin can be shut off and then drained for winterization purposes.

It's all about planning ahead. Not just for bad weather, but also for other failures in the system. The ability to isolate problems if they occur is a luxury when trying to fix or repair a problem. As much as we try to think of all potential issues, I guess you never can tell whether you've been a success until they are properly tested. In the case of outdoor water lines, cold does that best.

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “There is no experiment like experience.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost up the Creek (Sumatra)

SNEAK PEEK of our Upcoming OFF-GRID project

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