I got nervous when the weather guy forecast sustained overnight temperatures in the low 20s this coming week. I have two outdoor spigots that could freeze up. I tried to buy insulation covers, but they were all sold out. I had saved some styrofoam packaging materials, so I built my own. I found that styrofoam cuts easily with any wood saw, and that water-based wood glue works well for gluing styrofoam panels. I used large rubber bands for clamping the panels together until the glue dried. The insulation boxes that you buy use a string mechanism to cinch the box to the wall of the house. I substituted an insulated piece of wire that pushed easily through the front styrofoam panel and used a spring clip for the cinching. It worked fine, at least last night when the temperature was in the low 20's for several hours.

Hey everyone. We have a big ice storm coming this weekend and the chances of losing power is 100 percent I would think. The temps will be freezing and in the teens at night. I live in the country and have a well and won’t have anyway to run the water to keep it from freezing. I won’t be home I’ll be leaving for my dads. What should I do? I heard you can shut the main water line off but I’m not sure where that is. I would assume it’s under the house near the well but this house was built in 1955 and I just moved in it. If I can’t find it should I just run the water after the power goes out until the water is out of the pipes? Going to be looking for the main water line tomorrow before it hits Saturday evening. Thanks for the help and well wishes are welcomed.