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Author:
BigReg1500 (CT)
So where I am in southwestern CT, people are starting to panic big time about hurricane Irene coming through - the prediction is for it to come right across this area. As I get stuff together to be prepared, I had a question that I wanted to throw out to you guys.
I know this might be overkill, but I was thinking of filling a handful of 5 gallon buckets with water to use for toilet flushing if the city water supply gets hit for any reason. I know I can just use them to fill the tank and flush the normal way.
I've never had to do the 5 gallon test that you recommend for people with slow toilets (mine all work fine). How much water do you pour in, and how fast do you pour it to flush a bowl? Maybe I just have a little too much time on my hands today...
I'll put the disclaimer that these buckets will NOT be for cooking/drinking - that supply will be coming from a cleaner source.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
SMSPlumbing (PA)
It would be easier to fill the tanks, and flush like normal. That way you do not have to use all 5 gallons to flush.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
You need to hold water in your tubs.q a plastic bag full of water over the drain.the water is good .if you do not have a generator.top of the list.you can boil road water. a box fan and power for the coffee pot?2004 price less.yes the grill works.got lp gas?do not flush.the build up will be less worrisome than no communication.feel the electrical want as the comfort you most need!I will never again.Funny I have fifty gallons of gas and do not need them again yet.they go in the car in a few months.fifty gallons of gas is 40 hours of power.I have had longer power outages but have been able to get to non effected area's to get more.Hope you just see the long rain and few tornado.They are the worst of the ten hour thunderstorms!
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Author:
Fixitangel (NC)
That's easy. If your toilets are 1.3 or 1.6 gal use about a quarter of a bucket if you are not filling the tank. A filled bathtub will come in handy. Hope you dodge the bullet.
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Author:
BigReg1500 (CT)
thanks everyone. i do have a generator for the essentials. got it last winter and of course waited until now to wire in a transfer switch
My toilets are 1.6 so sounds like it will be better to just fill the tanks as needed to flush.
i have plenty of water for drinking and cooking already, but maybe will fill the tub just in case.
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Author:
jimmy-o (CA)
Dont forget that your water heater is a source for 40 to 50 gallons of potable water.
By the way, as far as I know, hurricanes and tornados, and even earthquakes, RARELY cause loss of city water supply in the short term. Most city water in place I have lived...the pressure is gravity from high storage tanks and locations.
Loss of electricity to sewage transfer pumps can be a problem!
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Author:
jimmy-o (CA)
I don't want to sound like a soapbox..... but folks who just realized TODAY that they should have a little food, drinking water, first aid supplies, batteries, etc. set aside....you're not paying attention to mother nature and the world!!!!!!
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Author:
BigReg1500 (CT)
Jimmy - you're right. I imagine you guys out west are generally more prepared since the potential for disasters seems greater.
I'm pretty sure my town is fed by a gravity system, but there have to be pumps to lift the water up to the tank initially, right? It just seems like a good insurance policy to have some extra cooking, drinking, and flushing water on hand.
I think a lot of folks on the east coast have gotten complacent lately. The most we have is a snow storm here or bad rain every once in a while. At the most you're stuck inside for a day. At present, there's not a single "D" battery on a store shelf in my entire town. That should tell people something.
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Author:
jimmy-o (CA)
quote "Author: BigReg1500 (CT)
At present, there's not a single "D" battery on a store shelf in my entire town.
I keep a few dozen in my frig. Can I make a killing on those right now????
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Author:
Royboysc (SC)
Just a thought,but there is a prediction for a huge storm surge. If this happens in your area, the sanitary sewers would fill up and you couldn't flush ANYTHING!
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Author:
RWP (SD)
If it's yellow, let it mellow.
If it's brown, flush it down.
Let it mellow with some clorox in the water. It kills the odor.
- - - - - - - - - -
Retired after 50 years of plumbing and heating.
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Author:
mark (LA)
Be very carefull about where you locate your generator it produces carbon monoxide an odorless, colorless and extremely deadly gas. Run it outdoors only and chain and lock it to something immovable.
Mark- South Louisian
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Author:
BigReg1500 (CT)
Hey everyone - we made it through. A lot of my town sits on LI Sound and had to evac, and the more inland parts got trashed by trees coming down. But having a generator standing by and plenty of provisions was a good bet.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
Saw some ugly, but seems mother nature was easy on us this time.I will be watching every start from the African coast across.just have to. Hope we all have a better year.
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