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We’ve been living on our homestead for two years now, and while it’s been an incredible blessing, wintertime tends to bring with it a recurring challenge: frozen water pipes. This wasn’t an issue that showed up during our home inspection, as the problem lies not near the house but down in the valley. Our first winter, we didn’t even realize the pipe was there. Thankfully, our neighbors, who were familiar with the area, came to our rescue. They brought us water, shared the location of the pipe, and explained where the freezing tended to occur.
This issue presents two major challenges. First, going without water is not only difficult but can also be dangerous. Second, the pipe needs to be dug up and relocated, which is a large financial undertaking.
In our first year, we went without water for six days. With a home to maintain and animals to care for, we quickly realized how much we depend on water daily—from flushing toilets (3-5 gallons per flush) and showering (15.8 gallons) to doing dishes (27 gallons), cooking, laundry (6 gallons per cycle), and providing for our animals. We had a light snow that we melted to provide water for our animals. However, melting the snow produced an alarming smell—almost like a metal welding shop, with a taste in the air that lingered in the back of your throat. To make matters worse, the water had gray foam floating on top, and the fumes were horrific. Thankfully, our neighbors and family brought us water. We also have an old well on our property, so Dylan would drop buckets down to bring up water for flushing toilets, boiling for dishes, and taking what we jokingly referred to as “poor man baths.”
I share all this not to focus on the challenges we’ve faced, but to emphasize the importance of being prepared. Whether it’s dealing with frozen pipes, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events, having a plan and the right resources can make all the difference in overcoming difficult situations.
“The wise man built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had it’s foundations on the rock.”
– Matthew 7:24-25
Key Lessons Learned from Our Water Crisis
- Plan for the Worst, Even If It Feels Unlikely
Sometimes, we avoid thinking about worst-case scenarios because they feel too distant or unlikely. But disasters rarely announce themselves in advance. The freezing of our water pipes is a perfect example of how something that seems like a “future problem” can quickly become an urgent one. We should have taken action much sooner—insulating the pipes more than we did, installing heat tape (but it would require the generator to power it), or considering getting our backup water source more prepared. It’s easy to procrastinate when things are running smoothly, but preparedness is about being proactive, not reactive. - Have a Contingency Plan
During our water outage, we had to get creative—filling up containers from the old well in the valley for non-drinking water, relying on bottled water for drinking and cooking, and using the bathroom but not always flushing. While it worked in the short term, it wasn’t ideal. It showed the importance of having contingency plans in place. In case of a long-term issue, having an alternative working water source, a filtration system, or even a manual pump for the well could save a lot of stress and hardship. - Budget for Emergencies
Emergency preparedness isn’t just about buying supplies or installing backup systems—it’s also about financial readiness. When disaster strikes, the costs are often higher than expected. Having an emergency fund for home repairs, unforeseen circumstances, or even just for extra food and water in a pinch can alleviate some of the financial strain. Planning ahead for these situations means you’re less likely to be blindsided by the financial side of a disaster.
– Keeping water constantly stored
– Having paper products, so there aren’t as many dishes to do.
– Keeping easy to eat meals on hand that don’t require a ton of dishes or water to cook with.
– Having baby wipes on hand
– If you know that your pipes might freeze, fill stock pots and bath tubs with water. - The Power of Prevention
As much as it may seem like common sense, prevention is often the best defense against major problems. Simple maintenance tasks—like ensuring pipes are properly insulated or taking measures to ensure your home is weatherproof—can make a world of difference when disaster strikes. The costs of prevention are often far lower than the repair costs after an issue has already occurred. - Think Beyond the Basics
While water is an obvious and immediate concern in a situation like ours, the lesson here is also about thinking ahead to other essentials—food, heat, and light, to name a few. A homestead, by its nature, often involves being more self-sufficient than an urban lifestyle allows. That means having backup systems for power (solar, generators, or wood stoves), emergency food supplies, and even strategies for keeping your animals comfortable in extreme weather. Disasters affect more than just your water supply, so it’s vital to plan for all of your needs.
Moving Forward: Our Preparedness Strategy
In the aftermath of our frozen pipes, we’ve sat down and devised a better preparedness strategy. We’re committing to addressing infrastructure issues before they escalate, budgeting for repairs, and ensuring we have enough emergency supplies to last several weeks if needed. We’re also incorporating larger-scale solutions like inspecting and preparing the valley well for actual use. Along with setting up extra water sources (like rainwater collection systems) and setting aside money for unforeseen repairs or emergencies.
Additionally, we’re adding to our emergency kit supplies that includes essentials beyond water—like food, first-aid supplies, tools, flashlights, and blankets. And as we move forward, we’ll continue to revisit and improve our preparedness plan to make sure we’re not caught off guard again.
Whether you’re living on a homestead, in an urban environment, or somewhere in between, preparedness is key. Our recent experience with frozen pipes has driven home the reality that life can—and often does—throw curveballs our way. The true value of being prepared lies not just in surviving those tough moments, but in having the resources, plans, and mindset to come out stronger on the other side. Don’t wait until the pipes freeze or the storm hits—start preparing now. Your future self will thank you.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
– John 4:13-14
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