H2O Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share Posted January 3, 2014 Add to that people generally can't drive in snow in this area due to lack of experience and there ya go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw baltimore wx Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I've got some pretty big icicles forming on the southern side of my house. Several years ago I had insulation blown in to the original attic, so I may have to go up there during the upcoming thaw and make sure it's vented along the eaves properly. Damn. I hate messing with insulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Gawd bless telecommuting. Staying off roads/away from idiot drivers is great, but main thing is I'm running on fumes after staying up till 3. I has a snow hangover. No regrets though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WxUSAF Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/01/03/snowstorm-crushes-new-england-with-up-to-two-feet-of-snow/ Although the Mid-Atlantic experienced a rather pedestrian snowstorm, I highly resent the idea that our biggest storm in 3 years is "rather pedestrian". Also from a more technical POV, a snowstorm that was warning criteria for ~50% of the LWX CWA and advisory level for most of the rest is really not something to sneeze at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Chill Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/01/03/snowstorm-crushes-new-england-with-up-to-two-feet-of-snow/ I highly resent the idea that our biggest storm in 3 years is "rather pedestrian". Also from a more technical POV, a snowstorm that was warning criteria for ~50% of the LWX CWA and advisory level for most of the rest is really not something to sneeze at. Probably connected to lwx raising warnings and advisories after the snow already fell. Gotta make it less than it was. Traffic was disastrous last night and the roads were pretty bad everywhere. Pedestrian...whatever they need to say I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongRanger Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 perihelion => melting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/01/03/snowstorm-crushes-new-england-with-up-to-two-feet-of-snow/ I highly resent the idea that our biggest storm in 3 years is "rather pedestrian". Also from a more technical POV, a snowstorm that was warning criteria for ~50% of the LWX CWA and advisory level for most of the rest is really not something to sneeze at. Depends on where you are and what you got, I guess. 3.5" is nice, but not a big snowstorm or anything - I'd say "pedestrian" is a decent word to describe that. For me, get above 5" or so and it becomes more of a "snowstorm." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Pimpernel Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/01/03/snowstorm-crushes-new-england-with-up-to-two-feet-of-snow/ I highly resent the idea that our biggest storm in 3 years is "rather pedestrian". Also from a more technical POV, a snowstorm that was warning criteria for ~50% of the LWX CWA and advisory level for most of the rest is really not something to sneeze at. Probably connected to lwx raising warnings and advisories after the snow already fell. Gotta make it less than it was. Traffic was disastrous last night and the roads were pretty bad everywhere. Pedestrian...whatever they need to say I guess. Well, it was perhaps rather dangerous for those walking about!!! But on a serious note, I agree, it wasn't exactly a "pedestrian" storm as in "boring" or "common-place", especially after the past 3 years. Nothing overly serious like Commutageddon or Snowmageddon, etc., but a decent event in terms of snow that over-performed more than a lot of people expected. Add to that the wind and very cold temperatures in its wake late last night and today. I'd say the event on Dec. 10 was far more pedestrian, especially since it was quite a bust in most places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 So...the wife and I are watching TV about an hour ago and decide to check the baby monitor. It says my daughter's room is 61 degrees. We check and realize that the heat isn't blowing. So I switch the thermostat from "auto" to "on" figuring that the sensor was acting whacky. 10 minutes later the monitor says 59 degrees and we realize the air coming from the vents is cool. Cue panic. About 15 minutes of swearing, kicking, and frantically flipping switches later and I hear the heat kick in. The B's room is 63 now and on the increase. Cue wife calling me the greatest husband ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhineasC Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I've got some pretty big icicles forming on the southern side of my house. Several years ago I had insulation blown in to the original attic, so I may have to go up there during the upcoming thaw and make sure it's vented along the eaves properly. Damn. I hate messing with insulation. Oh boy. I feel your pain. In 2010 after the second big storm when the temps stayed cool for a while I had a huge problem with ice damming. If you see big icicles that probably means you could get water running backwards down your walls. Both the house in Kingsville and the Oakland place had water damage from ice damming. Since then I've had soffit vents installed and insulation blown in behind them. No issues since then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhineasC Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 So...the wife and I are watching TV about an hour ago and decide to check the baby monitor. It says my daughter's room is 61 degrees. We check and realize that the heat isn't blowing. So I switch the thermostat from "auto" to "on" figuring that the sensor was acting whacky. 10 minutes later the monitor says 59 degrees and we realize the air coming from the vents is cool. Cue panic. About 15 minutes of swearing, kicking, and frantically flipping switches later and I hear the heat kick in. The B's room is 63 now and on the increase. Cue wife calling me the greatest husband ever. So did you actually fix something or get lucky? Because if it was the latter there is likely still an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw baltimore wx Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Oh boy. I feel your pain. In 2010 after the second big storm when the temps stayed cool for a while I had a huge problem with ice damming. If you see big icicles that probably means you could get water running backwards down your walls. Both the house in Kingsville and the Oakland place had water damage from ice damming. Since then I've had soffit vents installed and insulation blown in behind them. No issues since then. Great. I had to read this at 1:30 in the morning. How the heck am I going to sleep now?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 So did you actually fix something or get lucky? Because if it was the latter there is likely still an issue. Perhaps a bit of both. I'm handy enough, but big things like HVAC freak me out. After being pissed off for a few minutes, I turned off the unit, took the panel off it, and turned the gas off. I let it sit for a few minutes, then turned everything back on. I went upstairs and turned the thermostat back on, but it didn't kick in right away. I then switched the thermostat on and off again a time or two, and after a short pause I heard the unit ignite through the vents. Shortly thereafter, the blower started putting out heat. We might need a new igniter at some point in the relatively near future, but the unit overall is in good shape (knock on wood). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxdude64 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Perhaps a bit of both. I'm handy enough, but big things like HVAC freak me out. After being pissed off for a few minutes, I turned off the unit, took the panel off it, and turned the gas off. I let it sit for a few minutes, then turned everything back on. I went upstairs and turned the thermostat back on, but it didn't kick in right away. I then switched the thermostat on and off again a time or two, and after a short pause I heard the unit ignite through the vents. Shortly thereafter, the blower started putting out heat. We might need a new igniter at some point in the relatively near future, but the unit overall is in good shape (knock on wood). How old a system and what brand? I had a similar issue with my gas furnace couple years ago, it is 16 years old now and the pressure switch regulator was going bad. That actually has happened twice and the repairman said that is a common problem esp. with Carrier brand 90+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 How old a system and what brand? I had a similar issue with my gas furnace couple years ago, it is 16 years old now and the pressure switch regulator was going bad. That actually has happened twice and the repairman said that is a common problem esp. with Carrier brand 90+. Sounds like a somewhat similar, fairly simple problem with mine. It's a Bryant Plus 80 that's coming up on 20 years, I think. We just had the same issue agin this morning, so I called the HVAC folks. They're coming out today. Th blower is fine - it's just the ignition piece that's acting up. The guy told me it sounds like a dirty flame sensor, which isn't a big repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxdude64 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Sounds like a somewhat similar, fairly simple problem with mine. It's a Bryant Plus 80 that's coming up on 20 years, I think. We just had the same issue agin this morning, so I called the HVAC folks. They're coming out today. Th blower is fine - it's just the ignition piece that's acting up. The guy told me it sounds like a dirty flame sensor, which isn't a big repair. Do you have a panel with lights that flash a sequence for codes? If you do and they are flashing 3-1, it is the pressure switch. It is a common problem on that brand too, from what I've heard. It's not a hard fix, and part isn't too expensive. If you can, watch them replace. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2O Posted January 4, 2014 Author Share Posted January 4, 2014 Sounds like a somewhat similar, fairly simple problem with mine. It's a Bryant Plus 80 that's coming up on 20 years, I think. We just had the same issue agin this morning, so I called the HVAC folks. They're coming out today. Th blower is fine - it's just the ignition piece that's acting up. The guy told me it sounds like a dirty flame sensor, which isn't a big repair. our old furnace had a ceramic ignitor that decided to shiit the bed after Thanksgiving a number of years ago. $400 for just that one thing. Our new furnace went back to pilot light. With it getting serviced twice a year I hope to keep problems like what yours is having away for a long time…I hope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw baltimore wx Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Sounds like a somewhat similar, fairly simple problem with mine. It's a Bryant Plus 80 that's coming up on 20 years, I think. We just had the same issue agin this morning, so I called the HVAC folks. They're coming out today. Th blower is fine - it's just the ignition piece that's acting up. The guy told me it sounds like a dirty flame sensor, which isn't a big repair. I'm glad that you called. Bad ignition and gas is bad combo, and I found that out the hard way in November. I turned on the gas fireplace, walked away, came back a minute or two later and it still hadn't lit. I reached for the remote to turn it off, and BOOM! The front screen and glass blew out and shattered everywhere. I was lucky that I was standing off to the side when it exploded because it would have messed me up pretty good. Turned out to be a bad igniter and I feel lucky to have gotten off with an $800 bill for the new "glass" and repair. I quoted the word glass because I was told that the reason it's so expensive is because it's really a clear ceramic. Anyway, I'm glad that you called for the repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxdude64 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I'm glad that you called. Bad ignition and gas is bad combo, and I found that out the hard way in November. I turned on the gas fireplace, walked away, came back a minute or two later and it still hadn't lit. I reached for the remote to turn it off, and BOOM! The front screen and glass blew out and shattered everywhere. I was lucky that I was standing off to the side when it exploded because it would have messed me up pretty good. Turned out to be a bad igniter and I feel lucky to have gotten off with an $800 bill for the new "glass" and repair. I quoted the word glass because I was told that the reason it's so expensive is because it's really a clear ceramic. Anyway, I'm glad that you called for the repair. Wow! Sounds like you REALLY were lucky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Chill Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I just want to say that our subforum has been great this year on all fronts. Solid disco, obs, and best banter since I joined eastern. Have a "real" winter so far surely helps but still. It's pretty fun around here either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhineasC Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I just want to say that our subforum has been great this year on all fronts. Solid disco, obs, and best banter since I joined eastern. Have a "real" winter so far surely helps but still. It's pretty fun around here either way. 2009-2010 was better, IMO. The banter between Eastern and forty south was awesome. Watching those runs come in before each HECS was killer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Thanks for the feedback, all. Turns out it was the heat sensor that needed to be cleaned. It ran me $200, but I signed a service contract then and there that covered the cost (total was $299 for the contract). Looks like I'm all set (fingers crossed). nw baltimore wx...sounds horrible! Glad it turned out OK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw baltimore wx Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Wow! Sounds like you REALLY were lucky! Yes, I was, but to be fair, I had some trouble lighting it in the past and knew something was wrong and chose to ignore it. I won't do that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb@MAWS Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 1/4/14 low at DCA: 17. Lame ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mappy Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Went to shovel the front walk, so not worth it. Top layer could be blown off, bottom layer is ice. F-that. Rock salt it is. Not even attempting the driveway, I'll just keep driving over it lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhineasC Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Went to shovel the front walk, so not worth it. Top layer could be blown off, bottom layer is ice. F-that. Rock salt it is. Not even attempting the driveway, I'll just keep driving over it lol No snowblower? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj2va Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I'm trying to find a good place to set up my new weather station. We live in a townhouse with a fenced-in patio. Should I mount the thermo sensor on the fence out of direct sunlight? It does have an airflow cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mappy Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 No snowblower? No, haven't bought one. I'd imagine we will before winter is over. Our neighbors are pretty awesome, one has a plow for his tractor. The other has a snowblower, seems the one with the blower is doing all our driveways right now. I told the hubby we needed to get something, either a plow for our lawn mower or a blower so we can help with snow removal. In the mean time I'll just keep buying the neighbors booze as thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-83 BLIZZARD Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 No, haven't bought one. I'd imagine we will before winter is over. Our neighbors are pretty awesome, one has a plow for his tractor. The other has a snowblower, seems the one with the blower is doing all our driveways right now. I told the hubby we needed to get something, either a plow for our lawn mower or a blower so we can help with snow removal. In the mean time I'll just keep buying the neighbors booze as thanks Go with the snowblower. When we left "Shrewsbury City" (previously left Baltimore) to move to the sticks 6 years ago the first thing I bought was a snowblower. Never had the chance to use it in 08-09 because that winter was lame, but it paid for itself many times over the following years. Lawn tractor attachments put stress on the transmission of your mower, and if you change mowers and brands in the future you might have to buy new expensive attachments etc. as your old ones won't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxdude64 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Go with the snowblower. When we left "Shrewsbury City" (previously left Baltimore) to move to the sticks 6 years ago the first thing I bought was a snowblower. Never had the chance to use it in 08-09 because that winter was lame, but it paid for itself many times over the following years. Lawn tractor attachments put stress on the transmission of your mower, and if you change mowers and brands in the future you might have to buy new expensive attachments etc. as your old ones won't work. I second the snowblower. I've had mine for 12 years now, never a regret. It cuts work by boat-loads over shoveling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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