February 20Feb 20 I run my sprinkler all year round, but in the winter I only run it in the zones with trees, and manually turn it off on weeks with rain. I have ten bald cypress in my front yard that I do not want to die. We are also limited to only one day a week watering schedule and it is enforced by auto notifications at the water company if you water outside of your one allowed day.
February 20Feb 20 5 hours ago, Js1 said: How will we survive without our bidets? Go scoot our asses across the backyard snow?? That's what curtains are for, duh!
February 20Feb 20 29 minutes ago, Orange&White said: I have ten bald cypress in my front yard that I do not want to die. Beautiful trees, but damn they litter up the ground in the fall. We had one big one and I would rake all the time - can't imagine ten. They are gorgeous when they turn that reddish/golden orange.
February 20Feb 20 2 hours ago, Spaulding Smails said: PEX is far superior for freeze protection. That study that Risinger did was very informative. A properly built house should have PEX insulated on all exterior walls BEFORE spray foam or batts insulation. It's a belt and suspenders approach, but it makes a huge difference. And, I agree on the manifolds @drt. They're cool, but not practical. I'm also a big fan of running hose bibs on a separate loop. This allows you to shut off water to the bibs an drain them completely prior to a freeze, and it allows you to put a loop in for a softener to the house without it affecting water for irrigation. Lastly, I'd highly recommend a leak detection system. Phyn is my favorite, but Moen makes a good product as well. Some insurance providers are actually offering rebates if you install one, and rumor has it Chubb, Pure and a few others may require these to be installed to maintain coverage. It's <$4,000 installed and worth every penny to prevent a catastrophic flood. Phyn's technology is pretty amazing. It's programmed using sonar and can detect minor leaks, let you know exactly where they are, and allow you to shut off water to one area or the whole house remotely via the app. https://phyn.com/products/phyn-plus-smart-water-assistant-shutoff-v2 I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but I do own a plumbing company in Austin. We install several per month, and the reviews are fantastic. Dunno how to save or favorite posts on the app so I'm quoting you for future reference.
February 21Feb 21 When I restored a vintage Airstream travel trailer, I replaced all of the "copper" with PEX. I laughingly call it copper, because it was actually a massive collection of busted copper connected to galvanized pipe connected to PVC connected to electrical conduit (yes, electrical conduit) with a hilarious collection of heater hoses and rotting steel hose clamps making most of the transitions. I replaced everything with clean runs of PEX and from then on the only winterizing I ever had to do was open the faucets, open the low point drains, and drain the water heater. Oh and also I was no longer worried that the water in the trailer was going to kill my entire family.
February 21Feb 21 13 hours ago, utee94 said: I replaced everything with clean runs of PEX and from then on the only winterizing I ever had to do was open the faucets, open the low point drains, and drain the water heater. Oh and also I was no longer worried that the water in the trailer was going to kill my entire family. And, they also make great crappie/bass habitats. Just built four more. Look just like these
February 22Feb 22 So I’m thinking that today is probably going to be the last “cold” day of the year. We may have a few more freezes at night, but starting tomorrow we are in the 60s/70s through March. Or, at least, that’s what I’m hoping for
February 24Feb 24 On 2/22/2025 at 10:27 AM, irishtexan said: So I’m thinking that today is probably going to be the last “cold” day of the year. We may have a few more freezes at night, but starting tomorrow we are in the 60s/70s through March. Or, at least, that’s what I’m hoping for Yeah, my wife asked me to get some more starter logs from HEB yesterday, and I decided not to as my way of willing us past our winter weather.
February 24Feb 24 It unnerves me a bit. I wouldn't rule out a nice 3-4 day cold event about 2.5 weeks into March. Probably right after I start planting my garden.
February 24Feb 24 1 minute ago, Trey3216 said: It unnerves me a bit. I wouldn't rule out a nice 3-4 day cold event about 2.5 weeks into March. Probably right after I start planting my garden. When working at a nursery the rule was wait until Easter for your tomatos.
February 24Feb 24 We're gonna be planting some Arizona Cypress trees in our backyard in the next 10 days. That should guarantee at least one more brief cold snap.
February 25Feb 25 If we have a better day in '25 I'll need to see. Simply gorgeous out today. Nothing short of it.
February 27Feb 27 Saturday 2/22: 45 and raining all day long. Saturday 3/1: High of 82 and sunny. Late Winter in Texas y'all!
February 27Feb 27 53 minutes ago, Storm the Field said: Saturday 2/22: 45 and raining all day long. Saturday 3/1: High of 82 and sunny. Late Winter in Texas y'all! oh well, what we do know is someone on here is going to bitch one of them.
March 4Mar 4 Electricity keeps flickering on and off here in North Austin because of the wind. That Texas Republican Controlled gov’t sure hasn’t learn a lesson on the whole grid thingy. But at least we will no longer call NY Strip Steak by its name here in Texas. Assclown Tx Gov’t FTW.
March 4Mar 4 14 minutes ago, Al Czervik said: Electricity keeps flickering on and off here in North Austin because of the wind. That Texas Republican Controlled gov’t sure hasn’t learn a lesson on the whole grid thingy. But at least we will no longer call NY Strip Steak by its name here in Texas. Assclown Tx Gov’t FTW. You can eat your Texas Strip as you celebrate that darkness means the freedom is working.
March 9Mar 9 Getting every flavor of March weather this week ahead. Overcast, brisk and windy today. 2 gorgeous Spring days tomorrow and Tuesday, then it's suddenly summer Wed-Fri with highs close to 90 before it turns back into Spring next weekend.
March 12Mar 12 On 3/9/2025 at 11:38 AM, Storm the Field said: Getting every flavor of March weather this week ahead. Overcast, brisk and windy today. 2 gorgeous Spring days tomorrow and Tuesday, then it's suddenly summer Wed-Fri with highs close to 90 before it turns back into Spring next weekend. We will have a nice week next, which means all the Californians and other outs-of-staters in Austin for SXSW will think it wouldn’t be bad to move here. Edited March 12Mar 12 by atomheartbevo
March 12Mar 12 2 hours ago, atomheartbevo said: We will have a nice week next, which means all the Californians and other outs-of-staters in Austin for SXSW will think it wouldn’t be bad to move here.
March 12Mar 12 On a related note, this is probably the latest spring bloom that I can remember. I usually see the first bluebonnets popping up the last week of February, but almost always within the first week of March. I've seen no bluebonnets, indian paintbrushes or mexican hats pop up. The trees are still barren for the most part. It's kind of confusing because the winter wasn't particularly cold, we've had mostly warm spring-like days since mid-February, and we got some rain this winter. Not sure why the plants aren't popping.
March 12Mar 12 5 minutes ago, rage-a-holic said: FUCK EVERYTHING Predicted for later….. August 13 - 118/102 August 14- 121/108
March 12Mar 12 1 minute ago, irishtexan said: On a related note, this is probably the latest spring bloom that I can remember. I usually see the first bluebonnets popping up the last week of February, but almost always within the first week of March. I've seen no bluebonnets, indian paintbrushes or mexican hats pop up. The trees are still barren for the most part. It's kind of confusing because the winter wasn't particularly cold, we've had mostly warm spring-like days since mid-February, and we got some rain this winter. Not sure why the plants aren't popping. That last cold spell was probably the reason. I would not rule out one more freeze this year either.
March 12Mar 12 The bluebonnets in our neighborhood have 1 or 2 blooms. I also think the last freeze confused the shit out of the plants.
March 12Mar 12 10 minutes ago, Steamboat1874 said: Predicted for later….. August 13 - 118/102 August 14- 121/108
March 12Mar 12 30 minutes ago, drt said: The bluebonnets in our neighborhood have 1 or 2 blooms. I also think the last freeze confused the shit out of the plants. Yep. My new sod that I put down in the fall is not looking like it wants to come back. Dammit.
March 12Mar 12 I drove through Hill Country yesterday, and everything looks dry as a bone, ready to go up in smoke at a moment’s notice. I didn’t notice a single wildflower of any kind. No bluebonnets, no Indian paintbrushes. Most of the live oak looked sickly AF. It’s bad out there in a 2011 kind of way.
March 12Mar 12 It's the lack of rain that's keeping the wildflowers at bay. Then it'll be the heat. Then the fires. Then the rabid monkeys.
March 12Mar 12 2 hours ago, rage-a-holic said: FUCK EVERYTHING The only benefit I can see is my pool may hit 70deg under those conditions on Friday afternoon. I can swim in that when it's 90deg outside
March 12Mar 12 8 minutes ago, Wiler77 said: The only benefit I can see is my pool may hit 70deg under those conditions on Friday afternoon. I can swim in that when it's 90deg outside fuck that noise. I dont get in my pool anytime its under 80 unless I'm trying out a new wetsuit
March 12Mar 12 36 minutes ago, miguelito said: It's the lack of rain that's keeping the wildflowers at bay. Then it'll be the heat. Then the fires. Then the rabid monkeys. Really wondering how much I want to plant this year for veggies. It saddens me to see them just struggling.
March 12Mar 12 Grass is just starting to green up in our hood, but no wildflowers yet. One half decent rainstorm ought to do it.
March 12Mar 12 Just now, Samson's Wig said: Grass is just starting to green up in our hood, but no wildflowers yet. One half decent rainstorm ought to do it. Yeah....best I can do is the neighbor's dog pissing on 1 square foot of your lawn on his evening walk.
March 12Mar 12 12 minutes ago, Brisketexan said: Yeah....best I can do is the neighbor's dog pissing on 1 square foot of your lawn on his evening walk. That'll have to do I guess. I'm not carrying this yard back to the car.
March 12Mar 12 1 hour ago, Wiler77 said: The only benefit I can see is my pool may hit 70deg under those conditions on Friday afternoon. I can swim in that when it's 90deg outside 1 hour ago, rage-a-holic said: fuck that noise. I dont get in my pool anytime its under 80 unless I'm trying out a new wetsuit I agree, ain't no way I am jumping in 70 degree water. But at 90 degrees outside, my heat pump can have my 11k gallon pool to 80 degrees in a day.
March 12Mar 12 Probably going to the river today. A nice 72 degrees at the source above all the Bobcats pissing in the river.
March 12Mar 12 41 minutes ago, Orange&White said: I agree, ain't no way I am jumping in 70 degree water. But at 90 degrees outside, my heat pump can have my 11k gallon pool to 80 degrees in a day. Kid dropped something in the damn pool a few weeks back that I couldn't get with the net. Hopped in; water was a crisp 50+ degrees. All you polar plunge psychos.....no thanks.
March 12Mar 12 14 minutes ago, BabaYaga said: Kid dropped something in the damn pool a few weeks back that I couldn't get with the net. Hopped in; water was a crisp 50+ degrees. All you polar plunge psychos.....no thanks.
March 12Mar 12 58 minutes ago, Orange&White said: I agree, ain't no way I am jumping in 70 degree water. But at 90 degrees outside, my heat pump can have my 11k gallon pool to 80 degrees in a day. Have you never been to Barton Springs? Or swam in the Comal? 70 degrees is brisk, but it's definitely swimmable--as in, I'm going to swim, use the diving board, play with the kids, etc. I wouldn't just stand in the water.
March 12Mar 12 Author 7 minutes ago, Wiler77 said: Have you never been to Barton Springs? Or swam in the Comal? 70 degrees is brisk, but it's definitely swimmable--as in, I'm going to swim, use the diving board, play with the kids, etc. I wouldn't just stand in the water. You're doing it completely wrong. When it's cold you stay in it so you get used to it. Every time you get out to dive back in you refreeze.
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