Life On and Off an Acreage

In-sights into moving from an Acreage back to Town, plus a few things I find of interest.

Two things that horses are scared about:


1. Things that move
2. Things that don't move




Old enough to be eccentric, but not rich enough

March 2, 2011

Good News and Bad

Sorry there aren't any pictures this week as we are in survival mode. We learned that we can survive for a week with no running water, 3 horses, 2 dogs  and 40 chickens. It wasn't easy! We did borrow our son's shower in town a few times, but did survive on 3 cases of bottled water and about 5 gallons of melted ice per day for doing dishes  and manually flushing.

Our man with the well experience showed up and found the problem pretty quick. It was not the pump that failed, but the controller. he also was a real good teacher on the care and feeding of a well. The electrician didn't pick up that the controller had failed, but the well tech said that was pretty normal.

So the good news is, we have running water again with a cost of $640. We should be replacing the pump next summer as he figures the time in the well is about max. I pray that it lasts till then.

We also found that our well was not under the trailer, but about 300 feet away, and a lot easier to pull when the time comes. That is a LARGE blessing!

Now for the downside. For that last week, the daytime high has been below -23C (-7F) with the nightly lows at -30C (-21F) With wind chills, it approached -40C (-40F). The result was the water from egg washing, dish washing etc, did not make it to the septic field. There are 80 feet of 3 inch sewer line that is full of ice!

So we have water, but no place for it to go.

The options are to call in a steamer truck at $150 per hour, minimum  4 hours, or cut the pipe and  replace it for about $120. I am choosing the latter and my goal today is to get at least one bathroom functional. The kitchen end is planned for tomorrow. It is a much longer run.

Currently, I am inside warming up.

Bring on SPRING!

12 comments:

  1. Oh dear lordy. How terrible! Trying to push warmer air your way!!!

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  2. Ugh! I'll bet you are looking forward to spring. I have a well, now I'm wondering if maybe I should have someone come out and look it over/ service it!
    Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Whatever you do, don't overdo it!

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  3. Sorry to hear about all of this and praying for you that it all gets resolved. This too shall pass!!!!

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  4. Wow, your are really getting temperature swings. The Commander wants to get a hand pump for our place as a water source backup, have you ever considered one?

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  5. Oh, Ian.
    What a schmozzle. I didn't realize it was so cold there - I won't complain about our -15 forecast for tonight and tomorrow!
    Too bad about the well. We have a well, too, and it is a pain when you have animals. Even being without water for a day is a chore.
    I hope your temperatures warm up soon! Good luck with the pipe tomorrow!

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  6. Hate to hear about all the problems,seems like you all are having more than your share. I hope things get better soon. Spring won't be long in coming.Take care and hang in there. Blessings jane

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  7. Ian..I have never been in that cold of weather! The coldest temperature my wife and I had to endure was when we lived in Pendleton, Or., where it got about -10F. Black ice was the problem then and I had to put a heater on the engine of my car at nights so I could start it the next morning. My prayers go out to you and your family for warmer weather and hopefully for no more big repair bills. God bless, Lloyd

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  8. Thanks for your comments! Life has been real interesting on the acreage this last week or so.

    We will get through it!

    Our water level in the well is 80 feet below the surface, so well beyond the reach of a hand pump. It is brought to the surface by a multistage deep well pump.

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  9. Ian, I hope you get all your problems fixed ASAP. Maybe some of the Canadian government bureaucrats can offer a little help :-)

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  10. Hoping there a break in the temps soon for you.

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  11. hey Ian... stop by my place when you get a chance.. I have something for you
    :-)

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  12. Hey Ian, I'm visting from "Truimp and Tears",I enjoyed reading your testimony.
    And I'm thankful we serve a mighty GOD, he will watch over you and yours for sure.
    "The Lord never promised an easy walk, but he sure promises us a place in heaven".
    We want have to worry about water,food,etc.. and no more pain.
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

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