Our Pipes are Frozen in TEXAS!

We are going on Day 5 of no running water, but we are super grateful to still have power. This winter storm has devastated Texas. I've never seen anything like it. We weren't prepared. Our homes and roads are not designed to sustain these temperatures. Millions of people have been without power for days.
In this episode, we wanted to share our water system with you and how we weren't prepared for weather like this.
If you are able to help, please check out the below links:

Austin Disaster Relief:

Our church, Mosaic Austin has opened their doors as a Warming Shelter:

Austin Mutual Aid:

Article about carbon monoxide and what to watch for:

Stay safe, friends. Love on your neighbors. Check in on each other. Sending warm hugs your way.

[GardenerPhyl]

I’m saddened to hear about the brutal weather that Texas has been experiencing, and I’m holding Texans in my heart and wishing you all the best. I’m a Canadian who’s very used to extremely cold winters, and yes we are prepared for snow storms, from our infrastructure to the winter tires on our vehicles. Winter storms rarely slow us down. I’d hate to imagine if we were to experience a heat wave like the summer temperatures that you experience, as we would not be prepared for that. Be safe and take care of each other. 🙏🏻
PS sometimes a Texas gal needs to kick a little ass to protect the people in the state she loves! #MakeItPolitical

[TimothysWords]

Praying for you all too! Hope things get better soon for Texas!

[Coco-rnsd]

Say what???? Your turning 40 you look like you're between 20 or 23 man you look amazing keep up the good work.

[jodibarrick]

I also blame the news networks for not telling anyone about the cycle our sun is in. It's called the grand solar minimum . Everyone could have been prepared if the news stations would have been reporting on it.

She is RIGHT. Support your community and raise some awareness. She was just saying this shouldn't have happened (true) and we got to figure out how to not let this happen again. I don't think that was political.

[mboiko]

This is one reason housing costs are higher in the North where you can have 90-100 degrees in the Summer and below zero temps in the Winter. If you're on NG or Propane my advice is to spend the extra $4-6K and get a Generac standby generator. Your power will go out at some point and at the very least it increases the value of your home. The climate is changing Texas needs to get with the program and insulate.

[bunnynygryn]

Wow sorry to hear and see your nightmare from that storm, I hope you all got things up and running again 🙏🏼 PS I just came across your video you guys are a cute couple😍

[valeriewaite]

Heat tape can be expensive. As a single mom, not a lot of money, I used some old fashioned Christmas lights. They are actually warmer than the heat tape. It really works and you immediately know cuz they will be lit up. Easy to view at night and dark spaces. 😉You're welcome from a born and raised fellow Texan 😃

[jkbrown]

Line your pump house and RO shed with radiant heat barrier. You'll be surprised how much reflecting the heat from the ground water back in instead of radiating to the cold walls will help things.

[melissareid]

I grew up both our childhood homes had wells but they were very deep and underground and then there was a sump pump in the basement our filters and water heaters were inside.. I am from Michigan and had no idea some homes were built this way is it for cost or climate?? Glad you are safe. Sorry you got snow we didn't send it promises we currently have 18 inches of snow currently and it's been very cold. What a strange winter. 💝🙏💝

[patricial.holdemangarciava]

Everyone's realized that's the problem. Praying for Texas. Family in Oklahoma and have lived in Texas. My sister said Oklahoma made History in the temperature, so a first for Texas also.

[KJSvitko]

Insulation makes a huge difference and is not excessively expensive.
Improved energy efficiency and comfort.

[MyCoolFish]

I’m in West Lake Hills and I’ve had to cut down at least 18 trees in my front yard because of all the trees that have fallen or split in half. I still have plenty of trees, but the property definitely has a different look now. 😢

[lookingforthemeaning]

I would advise you put ur water system under Ground. cooler water inthe summer and warmer in the cold.
If its gonna get colder, shovel snow around the skirting of the Tiny house. believe it or not snow insulates and i will keep a bubble of warmer air under the house.
I would invest in a small wood fire place as well. looks like your goning to have a lot of Wood for it in the spring.
Dont worry about the trees they will grow back stronger.

Tesla power wall might be an idea in the future;-)

Love and power to you from Germany

[amandarobinson]

Oh man! Ours were frozen, too! I just posted our family vlog on it! I hope things get better for you guys soon!

[b.goshton]

Always turn the faucets to a drip to prevent freezing for future references.

[renee]

Praying for all of you in Texas 🙏💔😢
from a mom in Michigan❄️

[csyoung]

You go ahead and get political, Kim! lol My family and I live in Connecticut but was in Houston with my extended family who also live in the northeast. We got kicked out of our hotel because of burst sprinkler systems and we holed up at my uncle's for the week. Four families in one house, with no power and running water!!! Thankfully I like to camp so it's not really very different! ;D Anyway what happened was unreal and really hard for a lot of cold weather folks to understand. Definitely use your platform to speak out about resiliency!! Our cities and communities need to be better prepared -- sometimes you gotta live it, in order to learn from it.

[RustyandBindi]

Research wood burning stoves. Some are modern. We moved to Texas, from Colorado, and had power off and on during the freeze. I think a cord of wood and a wood burning stove would be worth the investment for your home and mine. Some have catalytic burners. A little training on how to use the stove, clean, it and ventilation would be available through the dealer. You need to keep the wood dry in the winter. You can cook with a Dutch oven on the stove and heat water.

[tedmusgrove]

I'd still insulate your outside buildings. But, I'd use the alum coverings on both sides. That way it keeps the warmth inside and the cooler outside. And, when it gets warmer out, it will keep it cooler inside the buildings. But, I'm from up north, and haven't felt the issue like Texas. PTL for us. But, praying for the families down south. 2/22/2021

[MrSaadia]

this to me look like weather modifications like HARP so sad . I hope it get better. 🙏this is not done by nature