Severe Wx?

[Jess from VA]

I hope they show up for ya.

I went to work myself at noon, they showed up at 1P, with one old shovel.

I gave them a walk-around of the work I want, asked them if VA minimum wage of $13 an hour was OK (it was), gave them proper tools, and they kicked ass all day.

They kept calling me boss and sir, and I told them to call me Jess.  They bummed a few of my cigarettes, but one of them was underage so I gave them to the older guy (telling him I couldn't contribute to the delinquency of a minor, which got a big laugh).  In 4 hours they roughly cleared about 2/3s of my walk and the bus stop, and I chopped and cleared about 60 feet of my driveway (only a 2.5 feet wide clean walkway, not the whole thing).

We were all whipped (especially me), and called it a day, and they'll be back tomorrow.  I paid them double what I agreed, they earned it, and I had the idea they might not eat without getting paid.  

I am too tired to eat or shower, so later.  Coffee is good.

I am too old for this sh!t!!!!  

[scooperhsd]

Jess - probably good motivation for the young men.

We're in the process of getting the water problem in the house fixed. Step 1 is to get a plumber decommision the galvanized supply pipe and replace it with PEX. - tomorrow.
Step 2 will be to have the foundation guy (ex Coastie) put in some piers, put in another sump pit, and some trenches going to the new sump pit. THat will be in about 2 weeks.

I might be able to help the plumber, but I think I would be more help to stay out of his way. We've had this company / plumber here before, and I trust him to do a good job.

[Jess from VA]

Scott, I also had foundation/ water problems at my old house after I bought it.  I ended up with a crew that brought jackhammers into the basement (lower level 3-level spit) and cut the floor out 18" from the exterior walls, dug down to the footers, carried muddy buckets out of the house, replaced the drain field, back filled with heavy gravel, re-concreted the floors, and replaced the sump pit.  Quite the ordeal while living in the house.  Like 30 years ago.

And I also just had a plumber in just 2 weeks ago to fix a few small problems and new hose bibs.  All my previous plumbers came with a helper (plumber in training?).  This guy was on his own, and I offered to be his helper, but he said he needed no help.  I said I liked to watch so I might learn something, but was not trying to irritate him or second guess his work.  He told me to watch all I wanted, it didn't bother him.

What I did do was go around before he showed up and moved everything out of the way of his pending work (emptied a kitchen and bathroom cabinet), uncovered the wall panel for a hose bib, set up led lights in dark work spots, and gave him good coffee and ice water.   I watched some of the work but stayed out of his way mostly.  

It'll be another full day of chopping and shoveling ice outside in the cold.  I can hardly wait.  

[HayHauler]

Sounds like you got a good work out!~!  Hopefully didn't injure yourself in the process.  I like a good workout every now and then, like helping friends build a wooden 8' fence in the summer time.  A good sweat makes me feel pretty good.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Jess from VA]

Sounds like you got a good work out!~!  Hopefully didn't injure yourself in the process.  I like a good workout every now and then, like helping friends build a wooden 8' fence in the summer time.  A good sweat makes me feel pretty good.

Hay  
Jimmyt

I like to work too Jimmy, in decent reasonable weather.

But standing out in the cold using both arms to chip frozen ice with a long handle scraper (hard), then shoveling it off, over and over for hours on end, is not my idea of a good time or workout.

My guys said they'd be here at 9am, and at almost 10 they are not here.  I hope paying them yesterday (just for yesterday's work) was not a mistake.

Having a couple go-getters making good progress working with you is a good stimulus for me to get out there too.  The remaining work to do is still way beyond my ability alone.  If they don't come back, I may stay inside and wait for the thaw (which could be a long time).  

School has reopened at least for the bigger kids, the little ones who queue up on my corner were not here at 9am.

EDIT:

Well, the little kids were on a 2hr delay, and the parents were very grateful I had the bus stop cleared off for them.

My guys showed up late, but are back at it again kicking ass.  I'm a very happy camper.   

I'll be back out there with them in a few minutes. 

[HayHauler]

Good deal.  Just be careful!

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Jess from VA]

Well, all finished for now.  No accident or injury to anyone.  Although it was a good thing no one was standing underneath my basement walkout awning when the ice all slid off at one time. 

The ice around my truck in the driveway was especially thick and I used the digging bar on that (last place that was a slip and fall hazard).

The two guys worked their asses off for me and everything I wanted done is done.  It's not all bare pavement, but it will be after the continued thaw for the next couple days.  I walked around with my 600 Stihl blower and cleaned off everything.

Now it's lunch and some old western on TV with my feet up.   
 

[HayHauler]

Good to hear....  FYI, Spring has returned to Houston this week.  Current temp is 72F and rain storms.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Jess from VA]

Good for you (72*), but I don't want any precip of any kind.  I've had enough of that.   

[Rams]

Although we are currently surrounded by “ice fog”.  The temps are in the forties.   Interesting Wx.

But Friday we’re being forecast to hit sixties and into the seventies next week.

I bribed Mother Nature.   Don’t ask how….

Rams

[vanagon40]

. . . . I offered to be his helper, but he said he needed no help.  I said I liked to watch so I might learn something, but was not trying to irritate him or second guess his work.  He told me to watch all I wanted, it didn't bother him. . . .

[Jess from VA]

. . . . I offered to be his helper, but he said he needed no help.  I said I liked to watch so I might learn something, but was not trying to irritate him or second guess his work.  He told me to watch all I wanted, it didn't bother him. . . .

I've seen that before.  

Van, the noteworthy thing about this plumber was, he was slow and meticulous.  Unlike my previous plumbers who were always production minded and blasted through the work as fast as possible.  I think most plumbers charge by the job and not the hours, though time spent is still relevant to the bill.

I was very happy this young guy was taking his time measuring, cutting, bending, sweating, but I was afraid my watching would make him think I was concerned about the time, so after 20 minutes or so, I found other things to do.  My bill for 4+ hours wasn't cheap, but about half what I would have expected from my usual guys (who I will never call again).  

My new neighbor friend runs a big crew of men in home remodeling, but also has guys in every trade (not on his crew) on call that he uses when he needs them who are completely skilled and reliable and tries to give them all the work he can.  When he calls them (for friends, neighbors, etc), he gets top of the list service.  One of them is this plumber, who is now my plumber for life.  

When winter is over, he's going to get me a concrete foundation guy/outfit for a job I need done right.  

[Jersey mike]

So while I was talking with a friend about stuff the recent storm came up and I had said I think it’s time for a new snowblower that a little bigger. He suggested getting an ATV with a small snow plow. I never thought of it or even knew that those machines can push a deep snow.

Last night I YouTube’d the topic and see it’s a real thing.

I really don’t need a brand new ATV and it seems a 500cc machine (or maybe even a little smaller) can get the job done but one thing that was kept being stressed was to ne sure it’s a 4x4. I thought all those types of machines were 4x4. I’ll have to look into this a little more.

I’d certainly rather sit and plow the heavy stuff and maybe save some time.

[scooperhsd]

We don't usually get "24 inches" of snow (but it does happen once in awhile), so I got a SnoJo 120vAC electric snow blower for what I need to move snow. MIL didn't like the idea of it, but I was the one clearing the snow. It does help preserve my back instead of shoveling / lifting snow. I've also got some electric mats to keep a "semi-clear" path to the closest car in the driveway - it was another good thing to get. I don't think I need something like an ATV with a snowplow blade.

[Jess from VA]

I've been thinking a lot about better snow and ice equipment myself.

But when it only happens 3-4 times in 35 years (at my house), it's not worth it.

And there's young guys to hire who need and want the work. 

My guys ran me $280 total for a couple days of very hard work.  I was happy to pay them (and feed them), and that snow equipment (beyond my little 5hp gas Toro) would cost a lot more than that, and I'd be the one using it. 

"Call us anytime Jess, for any work you might have."   Will do guys.   

[Rams]

I've been thinking a lot about better snow and ice equipment myself.

But when it only happens 3-4 times in 35 years (at my house), it's not worth it.

And there's young guys to hire who need and want the work. 

My guys ran me $280 total for a couple days of very hard work.  I was happy to pay them (and feed them), and that snow equipment (beyond my little 5hp gas Toro) would cost a lot more than that, and I'd be the one using it. 

"Call us anytime Jess, for any work you might have."   Will do guys.   

Rams

An excellent decision Jess.
I have a snow blade for my Kubota but it needs some welding done on it so it didn’t get used to clear driveways.   May try to get that done this summer but who needs a snow blade in July in TN…….   

[f6john]

My end of Kentucky is getting more snow and I haven’t seen my driveways for two weeks!

[Jess from VA]

Well, I just got in from chipping and shoveling ice from my driveway (I did not have my guys do because it was not part of the more important work doing my eighth mile of public sidewalk, bus stop and pathways all round my back yard concrete walks and driveway).  And that was not the whole driveway, just the part in front of my van to the apron/street (say 15 X 25 feet of 4-5" ice).  

It wasn't essential since my big van made it up and down the front driveway with no trouble on that ice, but the mid 30s the last couple days made it possible with a scraper and shovel.  Slow and steady for 3 hours, and only one shoulder is sore (and I didn't slip and fall once  ).  

I still have two pathways in back that never get sunlight that are slick and icy, and impossible to clean (without a flamethrower or dynamite).

40s next week, and 50s the week after, but it may be June before this crap and piles of ice everywhere (esp where the streets have been plowed) actually all thaws out and goes away.  

[Serk]

Was just about out of biltong and a few other essentials, so headed out after work (If you haven't yet had biltong, don't. That stuff is addictive!).

Only upper 60's with a slight nip in the air so I did need to put on a light jacket, but otherwise quite a refreshing ride.

Did find one pile of ice still in existence so had to stop and get a pic right quick...

[Jersey mike]

Well, I just got in from chipping and shoveling ice from my driveway (I did not have my guys do because it was not part of the more important work doing my eighth mile of public sidewalk, bus stop and pathways all round my back yard concrete walks and driveway).  And that was not the whole driveway, just the part in front of my van to the apron/street (say 15 X 25 feet of 4-5" ice).  

It wasn't essential since my big van made it up and down the front driveway with no trouble on that ice, but the mid 30s the last couple days made it possible with a scraper and shovel.  Slow and steady for 3 hours, and only one shoulder is sore (and I didn't slip and fall once  ).  

I still have two pathways in back that never get sunlight that are slick and icy, and impossible to clean (without a flamethrower or dynamite).

40s next week, and 50s the week after, but it may be June before this crap and piles of ice everywhere (esp where the streets have been plowed) actually all thaws out and goes away.  

Jess, I’ve been reading all about the chipping, scraping and shoveling but one thing that I don’t see is any usage of any type of ice and snow melting products such as rock salt on asphalt surfaces. You may know this already but just in case, don’t use rock salt on anything concrete it will destroy it.

For years I’ve been using magnesium which works fantastic on concrete and is safe for concrete, wildlife/pets and any vegetation and with just a little bit of the sun’s help it does a very good job.

This year I did not stock up on the magnesium, it got harder to find as the concrete plant that I use to buy it from had closed and the ACE hardware store I bought it from previously was only carrying a potassium & urea mix product which I thought worked ok.

[Jess from VA]

Mike, I've used salt, sand and other stuff before, but I have a beautiful 30yo landscape (I work my azz off on) I don't want to pollute, and a mile of nice concrete (no asphalt) I don't want to pit, and sand makes a big mess, so I use nothing anymore.  And where I live rarely gets enough snow or ice to worry about, not counting this big terrible ice storm.

With my hired help and own hard work I now have good (mostly clear) pathways, sidewalks and driveway with big piles of snow/ice on the sides, and now just need to wait for the thaw that will come eventually.  As that happens, I will go out with my big blower and shoot the melt to the sides daily, so it doesn't refreeze at night.

I knew there was something (magnesium?) that was safe for use, but I never went looking for it.  But thanks for the heads up. 

I've only had my truck out twice for food close-by, but am trying to not get it covered with salt and chemicals.  And not wanting to turn a hose bib on/off to hose it down underneath, and make more ice. 

The snow and ice are gone from the forecast, but I'm really getting sick of the cold and wind (and housebound). 
 

[Jersey mike]

Mike, I've used salt, sand and other stuff before, but I have a beautiful 30yo landscape (I work my azz off on) I don't want to pollute, and a mile of nice concrete (no asphalt) I don't want to pit, and sand makes a big mess, so I use nothing anymore.  And where I live rarely gets enough snow or ice to worry about, not counting this big terrible ice storm.

With my hired help and own hard work I now have good (mostly clear) pathways, sidewalks and driveway with big piles of snow/ice on the sides, and now just need to wait for the thaw that will come eventually.  As that happens, I will go out with my big blower and shoot the melt to the sides daily, so it doesn't refreeze at night.

I knew there was something (magnesium?) that was safe for use, but I never went looking for it.  But thanks for the heads up. 

I've only had my truck out twice for food close-by, but am trying to not get it covered with salt and chemicals.  And not wanting to turn a hose bib on/off to hose it down underneath, and make more ice. 

The snow and ice are gone from the forecast, but I'm really getting sick of the cold and wind (and housebound). 
 

I understand that, was trying to ease the stress.

For future reference;

https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/how-to-melt-ice.html

This is my first year using the potassium mix and I’ve read both positive and negative sides of it.

For over 20 years I use to get my ice melt from a local concrete block company that made paving stones and those hardscape decorative blocks and that usually was either magnesium chloride or calcium chloride, whichever they had in stock at the time. They closed several years back and I used up everything I had so this storm I had to try the potassium/urea mix which was ok but not as good in my opinion.

It’s just food for thought that’s all. Stay safe out there.

[Jess from VA]

Well, my local Walmart says they stock the magnesium stuff on line (if they still have any left in the store?).

And I'm bored so may run up and look for some later.

I've seen every John Wayne movie from the 1930s to present, and that's getting old.  I'm not a big TV guy, but there's not a heck of a lot else to do.  

[Jersey mike]

I have never used anything with a “coloring” to it.

This potassium mix I bought makes a pink- reddish color which has left some areas of my concrete colored, I think it will wash off when we get some rain.

Some of the people in my neighborhood use products that create a blue or even green effect when it makes contact with the snow/ice. I have no idea what products they are using.

My experience with calcium and magnesium has alsways been zero discoloration with maybe a whitish residue where some “puddling” had occurred as the sun dried it up but nothing ever permanent.

With the calcium and the magnesium there is no difference between flakes and pellets with the exception of how it spreads. I get 50# bags and use a large can and simple spread it by a soft throw and don’t use excessive amounts all in one shot. I spread it thin but do get coverage.

[Jess from VA]

Well, I drove out there, and Walmart, Home Depot, Harbor Freight stops had no ice melt of any kind.  Nothing!!!   They laughed at me.

A week after the big storm....What was I thinking?   

One guy said that a store over in Maryland might have some.  Like I'm driving to MD.  No thanks.

And when I get home, I discover a new six inch crack in my giant Promaster 2500 windshield, and that's not repairable, and next Thursday I get a new one put on in my driveway for only $550 (aftermarket, not RAM).  Son of a Beoch!!!

[Jersey mike]

Well we’re in for an unusual deep freeze for our area that’s suppose to start anytime now.

Currently it’s 26 by 10am it’s suppose to drop to 12 degrees w/ windchill at -6. We will be under a wind advisory for winds of 15-20 with gusts up to 50. Thankfully the wind forecast has been reduced from 25-35mph.

Tonight it will drop to 4 degrees w/ windchill of -12

There’s a marine advisory through noon Sunday recommending boats stay in port and freezing spray alert of 2cm per hour or greater.

I don’t remember the last time I saw a freezing spray alert for our area.

I know this isn’t the severity of some of you guys experience out west but it’s really unusual for our area.

[Jess from VA]

You're up as early as I am.  

Light dusting of snow yesterday, but no big deal.

We're only going down to 19 today, but winds 25-30 until Sun night (please, no trees down on the power lines).  Then mid teens tomorrow with winds down to 15.  

I'm not leaving the house until Tues when we'll finally have 40s for the rest of the week, and 50s the following week.  


Totally off topic, but a Valk riding buddy of mine from down in Fredricksburg VA (hour+ south of me I rarely see) calls me yesterday evening and says he's up this way and wants to drop over with some great news.  He walks in and says he just came from a MD casino, and won $17K on a dollar slot.  Pulls out stacks of crisp new 100's in cash and throws it on my table.  He's not a big gambler but just drove up to the casino out of winter boredom.  

[Jersey mike]

I fell asleep about 10pm, woke up for the call of nature and couldn’t fall back asleep.

As I sat and read I heard my daughter in her room who’s has a bug coughing and blowing her nose so I put the kettle on for her and made some tea and toast.

Barbara had an appointment at 7:15am for bloodwork so I just stayed awake. She was sleeping peacefully and I didn’t want to wake her. She had to leave by 7am, I started her car for her at 6:50, by the time she was leaving the winds came in like out of nowhere. There was a light dusting of snow last night, just enough to make the roof and driveway white and you could see the snow blowing down the street like apparitions haunting the neighborhood.


That’s great news for your buddy. $17k is a nice chunk of change to win out of boredom. 

[Jess from VA]

I live by routine Mike.  Bed at 10P, up at 5A (give or take a few minutes).  Hour on treadmill after morning coffee (already done).

My house is pretty tight with Tyvek house wrap, R2 underlayment, vinyl siding, all good double pane windows (and 4yo/new HVAC), but in these cold days and winds I have to keep my thermostat at least 5* higher than normal winters not to freeze my azz off (actually just too chilly, in spots).  Sitting here at my computer, I hear the wind roaring and crap out out the trees hitting my house.  It's really ripping out there.   

My buddy needed the money as he is recently out of work (for a while), but I told him what I've been saying for years.... "The lottery and gambling casinos are a tax on the stupid my friend.....  I hope you don't make this a bad habit. "   "OK mom"   

The one dollar slot was his 70th dollar before the big hit.