Brave New World
What do I do with all this stuff????
Moving into a home that is a bit off the grid gave me a pretty steep learning curve and some adjustments. I didn’t know how much I had to learn!
I have a well, which I’ve never had before. That’s good, right? No water bill, no threats from the City about water shutoffs or replacing pipes, things like that. But everything comes at a price. The ‘good’ water, in the kitchen, has to go through a ‘reverse osmosis’ filter under the sink. So the good water has a separate little faucet. Also, There is an elaborate water softening system, which I discovered (thanks to a very helpful handyman in the neighborhood) needs to have big bags of salt dumped into it on a regular basis. It works by filtering the water, and helps with the iron levels, as I understand it. This means that, in theory, there won’t be rust stains in the toilets and the pipes will last longer. The salt bags weight 40 pounds, and the yard at the side of the house slopes down sharply. In other words, it’s almost impossible to use a yard cart to haul anything on that side of the house. So it’s always fun to lug these unwieldy, heavy, bags of salt back to the water softener. Not only that, but sometimes the water has a smell to it…not always, which I still haven’t figured out. One of these days it will bother me enough to get someone out here to evaluate it, although, in point of fact, I rarely notice it now. The quality of the water was tested when we moved in and it was good at that time. But the well and all the issues related to it was a new thing. I’m still happy to not be at the mercy of city water, though. One of my goals was to be more self contained, and this helps. Do make sure and get your water tested prior to buying a home on a well, however.
I also have a septic. When we got the inspection here there was a septic inspection. The inspector said it was basically usable but did have a crack. I asked the agent if I would have trouble with homeowners insurance in that instance… turns out, yes. So the seller replaced the septic before closing, which was good. But it means that half of my front yard I can’t put any trees in. If you know my love of gardening, you know that doesn’t make me happy. But I don’t think there is anything I need to do for that, other than I am aware of any chemicals I flush. But if you move into a home with a septic-get it inspected and have it replaced before you buy, if there are problems. Otherwise you’ll be stuck doing it.
I also have a generator, a big built-in one with two big propane tanks. This was definitely a huge selling point, it isn’t a typical feature of a new home down here, from what my agent told me. One of the things everyone has heard about Florida is the hurricanes, so I was relieved. I never had a generator before, either. Not a big built in one, anyhow. So when we had the initial hurricane threat I called the propane people, who came out and showed me how to read the gauges, and how they work. Our power hasn’t gone out yet, so that hasn’t been put to the test, although they are programmed to test themselves once a month. I guess they are doing what they are supposed to, lol.
Lastly, the pool. Something else I never had. Some of the big units at the side of the house are for the pool, one is a filter/pump and one is a heater. The pool has it’s own control panel. When we moved here I knew I was on a steep learning curve and got a pool company set up to maintain it. I figure over time I can learn and do some of the maintenance myself. I know there is a system of drains and pumps, still don’t totally understand them, but I know that the chemicals have to be kept up! Not long after we moved in, and before the pool company started servicing the pool, it turned very green overnight! I knew that wasn’t right, although a few baby frogs immediately found it! Luckily I like frogs. We have plenty around here!
Not my house, but this is what they look like. We have galvanized steel and opaque fiberglass
The other immediate learning curve issue was the storm shutters. With the hurricane threatening immediately after we got into the house, I didn’t have the luxury of figuring it out in a leisurely way. We weren’t even unpacked! Especially since it was impossible to get help from anyone, everyone was in panic mode and any handyman types were booked solid helping existing clients. I went in the garage and looked at the pile of shutters and realized I was at a loss. I called my real estate agent in a panic, and he came, with a bag of wingnuts, because I couldn’t find any. The storm shutters are kind of cool, if you haven’t had them. There are pegs all around the windows and doors, the shutters have holes which the shutters fit over, and then you screw the wingnuts on to secure them. If you buy a home in Florida they are supposed to have storm shutters. It is very weird, though, once they are up, because they make the inside of your house very dark. We have a couple that are opaque and let in light, but most are galvanized steel and do not. It’s being like a cave, and a bit unnerving if you are hunkered down during a serious storm, not being able to see outside.
All in all, it’s safe to say I am still learning about maintaining some of these things. And I will never enjoy hauling the bags of salt. But I will admit, there is some comfort is knowing that I can hunker down under almost any circumstance and ride it out. Just so long as I don’t lose internet!