We are contemplating using the Heavy lattice (wire screen stapled to it on the back side). It is expensive, around $42.00 for a 4x8. We are thinking for the front and back and cinderblocks on each side with concrete blocks that go over the holes. Ours is only about 6-12 inches off the ground. Would that keep the rats from setting up house under it? We live in a rural area where, really any varmet could live.

I have a lot of pots around and they do require watering daily as you know. But I find that the summer pots need to be somewhat shaded. As a newbie, you will find that plants at the box stores that say "full sun" doesnt' always apply to Florida! I would suggest that you raise them up off the concrete - not only for air circulation, but to keep the mold under them at bay. If you can find Patricia Crawfords book on container gardening, you will find it very useful Good luck, Hester

My first suggestion would be stuff insulation as best you can into the cavity of where the pipes are located. I may be enough to keep the pipes above freezing. If you have access or can install an electrical outlet in the enclosed area, then another solution is electrical heat tape. You can wrap this around the pipe in order to keep it warm enough to prevent freezing. Is has a thermostat you can set so that it is not using power constantly. Even if it did, it consumes about 7W per foot so the the 6 foot version uses the same power as a 40W light bulb. You could always disconnect it during the warm months if you want to save energy.

No it is not from the compromised vapor barrier. Cannot tell you for sure what it is from with the little info offered but definitely not from that,