I'd recommend you replace the filters, too, if they have built-in ones.....they could well be plugged. In the future, if you have prior warning, I'd check the manuals about cutting off the water to the units, turn the the water off at the shutoff to the fridges, and then make sure you flush the piping out by opening the tap furthest from the supply...I've got a cheap whole-house filter I plan to install when I do some other plumbing work I need to do, for precisely this eventuality, I made the mistake of taking a shower when the city was flushing the fire hydrants (we never got the flyer) - it took me an hour to clean the horrible greasy orange stain from the bath....

Hi Monica, As long as you're honest ... and level with your ice cube trays, you can freeze in a chesty with no problem. You may find that when you put the water in, a quiver may move over the surface, as the water starts thinking that they want out - it's too cold in here for any good use! The freezer on a frig carries the freezer portion at a few degrees below freezing, but freezers operate at down near 0 degrees F.: you may have noticed the difference in texture of ice cream depending on in which location it had been held. Cubes from there will pull your drink down to lower temp: and ones from a stand-up one will do the same, of course. I defrosted the old chest freezer here at uncle's when I came to stay after hs wife's death, seven years ago ... and it's getting near ready for another go. I don't open it frequently. Even in summer, no need to worry about coolers, etc. (except maybe for ice cream, if you choose). Stick the stuff into some carboard boxes from the store. If you get large ones, stow the ice cream in the middle, surrounded by the other stuff. But don't fret ... maybe your family will enjoy (slightly softened) ice cream. Turn the exhaust of the vacuum cleaner down into the chest and you'll be surprised at how soon the ice drops off. I have no idea how it would work if you tried it with a Room-ba). As others suggest, pick the ice up and put it into the sink (or a water jug if you'll be doing warm work for a while). After a quick wash, followed by a rinse with baking soda? vinegar? in the water (but not the two together) let it dry and you'll be surprised at how soon you'll be able to return the contents to the freezer - probably various items in a different location. Should be fun ... or at least not a major chore. As you place the items, make a chart with A at the left, moving to H, M or whatever you choose from left to right and 1 to 6 or 8 from back to front, then a to e, g or whatever to indicate depth and write the list of the various items of contents in the list. I like the chesties better than the stand-up ones, as they don't spill all of the cold air out onto the floor and your ankles the instant you open the door. Which saves energy. And the automatic defrost ones run the freezing equipment for while, ... then occasionally the heater, which heats the contents a tiny bit ... then back to the freezing again. That seems a rather unnecessary increase in the use of precious energy, all because quite a lot of people want to avoid one more simple - and occasional - chore. ole joyful

What I meant by new root growth is that new green bumps or extensions with green or red tipped growth as in these pics. Bumps or baby roots New root growth Any roots that are squishy are waterlogged and rotted. Brown dry roots are probably dead. They likely won't revive. These old roots, however, can serve to hold the plant stable under the mix, keeping the plant from jiggling. This will allow the new roots to grow without disturbance. It's imperative that the new roots are kept from breaking until they are at least 4 inches long. Not too worry, tho, because once it starts, phalies can throw out a-lot of new roots. The plant needs moisture. Misting leaves and surface of mix every day will help it along as long as it's not cold water in a cold room. Leaves can absorb water. If your plant is in a window, better not to mist late in day when temps drop. Mist when sun is on it. Misting will, also, encourage new roots to grow towards the moist surface of the mix. Just check it's not staying wet (especially in the crown) if temps get cold. Cold and wet are a bad combo because rot can ensue.

Arthur, a lot of orchids from tropical Australia do well here in zone 10b, northern part of south florida. We will occasionally freeze and must protect most of those tropical Aussies. I too have difficulty growing phals. They decline slowly. I can keep them for 3 or 4 years. Declining every year. I believe it is due to the summer heat. I must also say that there are growers around here that grow them well and long lasting. Because the choice of orchids is so very large I've decided to make an effort in advance to determine if the plant will like the culture offered. If not then it gets given away or traded. It might go the way of survival of the fittest. If the menu of orchids was small I would take on a more varied approach. But I probably will not run out of choices of plants that like it here for 50 years or more. So I'll work on all those easy ones first...No more phals. Except they make great gifts for the non orchid growers. The bloom will last for months until it becomes discarded. And they have gotten cheap. So a high mileage gift...