Winter Weekends Without Water? Two Hints...
 

Islanders have previously brought up the subject. This year, neighbors tell me I have four-feet of snow collected in my otherwise steep and difficult driveway! :eek:

Personally, I'm a newbie at this, and have spent only one winter-weekend at the cottage; however, I picked up a couple of hints.

• After firing up the heater—and just before bedtime—heat up clean frying pan(s) on the stove. Pull back the blankets, and rub the frying pan over the sheets. That one hint makes overnighting extremely acceptable. :)

• The other consideration is use of the toilet, which was most recently reported last year.

While lake water can be trudged uphill to the cottage, try storing water before "closing-up" using 5-gallon buckets. (Add RV antifreeze—store in the shower).

While 2½ gallons per flush was suggested previously, toilets vary in design. I've since discovered that only 2 quarts directed at the bottom nearest you will yield a satisfactory flush.

One should be concerned with displacing all the water (between the arrows below), and pour with one quick motion. The inherent design of a toilet's unseen siphoning action will do the job.

:look:

Antifreeze impact on environment
 

Isn't antifreeze toxic and harmful to plants, animals and the lake?

http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/long...ifreeze_08.pdf

ApS - If your camp is close to the water try pumping the water up the hill. Drill a hole in the ice with an ice auger then use a small submersible pump and garden hose to pump the water up the hill. Fill your water jugs then drain hoses and pump. You will still have to carry the jugs into the house but you don’t need to carry them up the hill. Works for me.

I use my camp in the winter somewhat this way except besides the submersible pump, I attach the pump to a heated water hose which keeps it from freezing. The submersible has no problem pumping up hill. I use the submersible to fill a 20 gallon plastic holding tank kept outdoors. I use a small submersible bucket heater to keep the water in the tank from freezing. I can then use a portable on demand propane water heater (Zodi) which works excellent in my outdoor shower. Stays nice and steamy even when very cold outside.

Submersible Pump: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Heated Hose: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bucket heater: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dan

RV anti freeze isn't. It's the same antifreeze you would use to winterize your boat.

Dan – I like the idea of the heated water hose. I will need to try it. Thanks,

not automotive anti-freeze
 

RV anti-freeze is not the same as automotive radiator anti-freeze... Not that you should pour it directly in the lake or drink it as an evening cocktail... but below are the deets...

starting the melt melt melt chants for an early ice-out -PIG

SPLASH® RV & Marine Antifreeze RV & Marine Antifreeze from SPLASH® is now made with renewable resources.
Designed for use with recreational vehicles, boats, spas, pools, and vacation homes
Formulated for -50°F burst protection
Convenient, ready-to-use solution
DOW® USP propylene glycol
DOW® USP corrosion inhibitors
Proprietary plant-derived additive
Improves user safety when compared to ethylene glycol-based products
Safe for incidental contact with people, pets, and wildlife
Readily biodegradable and non-toxic to aquatic life
Available in a blended formula

You can also get pet-safe anti-freeze. It costs more but you have the option if you want it.

I don't winterize my pet. I leave him in the house when it's too cold.:D

Now back to heating up the bed sheets with a hot frying pan. I suppose that a big bed cat would also work. However......

We have dual control heated mattress pads both on the island and at home. If you have a cold bed, turn them on about 15 min ahead and all will be toasty.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-Premi...in%3A362282011

I like the submersible pump idea.

I know in the water troughs at the barn she has changed to airation pumps instead of heat pumps, or a combination. Saves a lot of electricity, but of course that's stretched over a long NE winter.

ishoot38, always wanted to try this. How far is your water source to the water tank. I have a 4-5' rise from water to land and then its up hill from there. I'm about 140' from the Lake. Would going to a bigger submersible(1/3hp) be the right answer. I'm worried about "lift" of the pump. Also what o you do with the submersible, do you pull out of the water since the electric hose is attached.


Thanks Dave M

I think you will be fine with that kind of rise. I have pumped through three heated hoses, from the end of my breakwater to my water tank so approximately 150'. I am going to guess and say I have about a 12' rise end to end. My pump is a 1/4 HP and it will pump 510 gallons per hour at a 20' discharge height.

I used to leave the submersible pump in year round under my dock attached to the heated hose without issues. Two years ago I decided to take it out and now I will just drill a 10" hole with a power ice auger when I want to use it. If you don't have a power auger I would leave it in just make sure its not sitting on the bottom so you don't suck up any mud and such or do what I did and put inside a 5 gallon bucket with a cover and drill 1/4 holes all around the bottom and sides of the bucket. This will keep leaves and junk from clogging it up. Keep it at least a foot off the bottom however.

Dan