garydymski.com

Lost power, flooding can damage heating systems

2011-08-30T10:09:00.003-04:00

Long Island weathered the force of Tropical Storm Irene pretty well, but there has been considerable damage to structures near the shores and, of course, loss of power because of fallen trees.
Once things return to normal for homeowners they might want to make their heating systems a priority. Loss of power and flooding could mean serious damaged to both oil- and gas-fired systems.
Ed Schoen of Prestige Heating Service in Massapequa, NY, has been busy replacing heat chambers and burners to oil-fired systems over the past 3-4 days. Flooding is the major cause of damage to many of his customers' systems, he said.
But just a loss of power could mean the heating system experienced an electrical surge, which can damage sensors and components.
Here's Ed's advice: "Once the system goes back on, use your senses. Look, feel, hear, smell. If there's something different about your system -- you smell something or hear something -- then shut it down."
Many boilers also provide hot water for homes, so once power is restored a homeowner might want hot water for bathing, laundry, etc.
Schoen just warns the homeowner to beware. And to schedule a seasonal inspection immediately.
Inspections normally are performed just before the heating season, but Irene is a good reason to push ahead the appointment for your annual visit from a licensed technician.

Bad tile job

2011-08-29T06:50:00.005-04:00

A reader of my Newsday columns this week found an old one online and sent me a message. I thought it was funny, because the column was about a bad tile job on a water-bearing wall in one of our bathrooms, and the reader ended up getting the same "bad tile job" from his contractor.
This contractor used greenboard (moisture resistant wallboard) as a backer for the tile instead of a CONCRETE backer board.
I must have written that column 10 years ago. It's AMAZING to me how a contractor could violate building codes and use greenboard on a shower or tub wall.
This is a reason for homeowners educating themselves on work, repairs and renovations on their homes. The more you know, the better able you are to guard yourself against contractors who do the work INCORRECTLY ... stay educated, my friends.

B&D Maxx power inverter: Great for emergencies

2011-08-27T17:31:00.004-04:00

As I await the bluster of Hurricane Irene, I can't help but be thankful for a small Black & Decker appliance in my garage, a Maxx power inverter ... I hook the Maxx up to my car battery and can use it to get two AC 115 volt household outlets. I can recharge my AAA and AA batteries, or plug in my larger battery charger for C and D size batteries, use my household cell phone charger ... even run small appliances ... These inverters are available from other suppliers, and they are great when you're traveling or camping ... or during weather emergencies.

Preparing for Hurricane Irene

2011-08-26T21:28:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I chuckle as radio, TV and newspapers scurry to tell people how to prepare for tropical storms and hurricane-like weather that climbs northward up the Atlantic Coast this time of year.
First, EVERYONE should have an emergency kit, with bottled water, nonperishable food, batteries, etc. ... And we should be rotating some of these supplies regularly anyway.
Check at the FEMA website for a checklist of items, but, basically, be sensible.
The biggest threat can be loss of power, so make sure you have ice blocks for coolers to store milk, eggs and meats.
We'll make ice blocks by pouring water into plastic and metal bowls and then we'll use the ice from the bowls to help keep coolers and even the fridge cold.
Store yard and patio furniture indoors and secure other items with spikes and bungee cords. Clean your gutters and remove all debris from yards.
Get the gas tanks filled and keep some extra cash around, too. If businesses and banks lose electricity, gas, money, etc. might be difficult to get.
One other thing: keep some BBQ charcoal handy for cooking (especially if you have an electric stove). And if you do lose electricity, keep the fridge and freezers closed as much as possible.

Rechargeable batteries: A way to go GREEN

2011-08-24T09:17:00.003-04:00

People ask me all the time about ways to be green around the house. I tell them two or three simple things, like replacing bottled water with a reusable steel water container or cleaning windows with a solution of ammonia and white vinegar. Even using baking soda diluted with water and placed in a spray bottle can save dollars and be a suitable household cleaner (walls, countertops, etc.)
But one of my FAVORITE changes for green is purchasing rechargeable batteries. Now, I don't have the statistics on how many traditional batteries are prevented from ending up in landfills because of the emergence of rechargeables, but I have been using AA and AAA rechargeable batteries for years. For remote controls, flashlights, small outdoor lanterns ... they are simply GREAT.
Plus, new generation of rechargeables -- hybrid nickel-metal hydrides (NiMH)-- come fully charged and hold their charge over several months. The non-hybrid or regular Ni-MH rechargeables don't do that. Being able to hold a charge for longer periods means the hybrids are excellent for both low-drain devices (remotes, flashlights, etc.) but they also have enough power for in high-tech devices like digital cameras.
Go GREEN and buy rechargeables. Dozens of reviews are available on the web, and all the big battery manufacturers make them.

Great time-saving product

2011-08-23T12:48:00.003-04:00

I recently had to reconfigure some copper plumbing for a fixture and ran into a tight spot, where sweating pipe was a real problem. I needed the arms of an orangutan to get the blue flame to the proper spot and it was just NOT going to work.
I remembered SharkBite fittings and made the connection in a matter of minutes.
The fittings are a bit pricey, but they work great and can save time and resolve lots of issues when you just can't sweat pipe.
Visit sharkbiteplumbing.com

Repairing a shed

2011-08-13T08:49:00.003-04:00

One of my most coveted back yard items is my shed, a white-pine, tongue-and-groove structure that is my savior when it comes to storage and keeping a few cold beers.
But last year I found some rotted areas on the two front doors, and I've been struggling to find replacement lumber for repairs.
The T-and-G pine is 1-by-8, and for the longest time all I could find was 1-by-6 pieces.
Luckily, I contacted the Long Island Woodworkers and they reminded me to check Riverhead Lumber.
Of course. This EXCELLENT building supply outlet generally has what I've needed over the years, so I made a call, ordered the wood and -- PRESTO -- my repairs were made with relative ease.
Oh, and I cut away the rotted pieces in order to save the older lumber for emergencies ...

Wood floor project

2010-05-31T20:16:00.003-04:00

In about a week, I'm going to update my web site on a recently completed project: Installing a prefinished wood floor. It was the first time I've done such a floor, and I must tell you how gratifying a project it was ... I used a Duo-Fast FloorMaster 200-C pneumatic cleat nailer, and it was fantastic ... a great tool.
I also purchased my prefinished floor from Home Depot, only because at first I didn't have the cash up front and could put it on my credit card. But it was a great, great floor, too. Bruce 3/4 inch by 2 1/4 inch with a gunstock stain ... absolutely beautiful. More to come!

WGN segment

2009-11-16T22:51:00.007-05:00

Another look at our home winterizing video

2009-11-15T18:58:00.002-05:00

Get Your Home Ready for Winter
Uploaded by YourUpdateTV. - Watch feature films and entire TV shows.

Been working hard ...

2009-10-29T13:46:00.004-04:00

at seminars and speaking about how to "winterize" with smart products ... Here are a few links:

The Morning Blend, Ch. 4, Milwaukee

WHAM, Ch. 13, Rochester, NY

The MYSTERY of the Hayward pump

2009-07-13T10:32:00.004-04:00

Had a hard time this year with my inground pool. Specifically, a few filter panels in my Hayward DE 4800 filter had tears in the mesh lining. So the filter would not completely clean the water. Tears allow small amounts of DE (diatomaceous earth) back into the pool. This DE is used to filter the water; it clings to the panels and, like sand in an ancient Roman well, traps particles as the water runs through the filter. But when the DE (a baby-powder like material) is circulated back into the pool water, the result is a cloudy mess. And when the DE settles, it ends up at the bottom of the pool. It's just a mess.
I found several sources for replacing the panels, and they are not terribly expensive (about$30 to $35 apiece). I was able to take apart the filter and find tears in two panels.
The hard part was figuring out how to put the interior panels back together. The grid, as it is called, is linked to a manifold, and it has to be put together just right. There are 8 panels all together, including one that is slightly undersized. Putting the panels back in place was a nightmare ... until I discovered the ONLY way to do it.
You have to turn the grid system upside down, with the manifold on the bottom, and then push the panels into place. The manifold has one bit of info; it tells you ONLY where the small undersized panel fits into place. After that, you have to snap the others into the manifold.
Any way, it worked out.
Hope this helps all of you might run into the same problem.

Garage door springs

2009-07-03T15:38:00.001-04:00

Having a small problem with garage door springs and cables but should have it solved by this weekend. Good time for BBQ and completing household projects. I've got a bunch of 'em, too.

Speaking, seminars and just plain talk

2009-06-02T17:10:00.002-04:00

We're starting to offer seminars and public speaking engagements largely for homeowners and folks considering to be more hands-on about household matters.
On June 23, I'll be speaking at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in East Setauket, NY. Click on the link to visit the library Web site, and then click on the link to "events."
Hope to see you there.

For the first time ...

2009-05-28T16:41:00.002-04:00

After living through cold winters in Michigan and Kansas, I must say I had never crossed paths with a frost-free sillcock (pictured above) before. My good friend had one burst on him over the Memorial Day weekend, and we replaced it with a traditional hose bib and a shutoff valve. Rather simple job, however, I learned this about frost-free sillcocks. If you leave the hose attached through the winter, water can collect and split the interior pipe on even a frost-free sillcock.
When this happens, you can have the water valve closed, and there won't be any leaks. Once the valve is opened, the water then leaks indoors. Strange .... anyway, a successful repair.

He's baaaaack!

2009-05-28T11:17:00.004-04:00

Sorry for being away ... been super busy with work (gotta pay the bills) and home maintenance.
Reviewing two excellent contractor tools, the Duo Fast 20°Round-Head pneumatic framing nailer (DF350S) and the Paslode cordless commercial framing nailer – the model CF325.
These are two great additions for the toolbox of the framing professional. The Duo Fast tool (left) is
is perfect for framing, decking, sheathing, subflooring and truss construction. For $299, it's a big-time performer. Find a dealer by state at the company's Web site.
The Paslode cordless (right) offers portable freedom at the job site without hoses or compressors. The result is a faster, cleaner job, saving contractors money and precious time over the long haul. The Paslode CF325 is powerful enough to drive 3 1/4-inch nails into the toughest lumber using new tip coated nails. This feature is available only with new fuel/nail combo packs. It's $399 at Home Depot.

Slow going

2009-04-06T13:44:00.004-04:00

With some rain and windy weather, I was unable to tackle a big task that hits my outside area each spring and fall -- LEAVES!!!
Do they have them in Arizona? Because, if they do not, I am ready to pack up and move.
I get leaves year round, and it's a hassle bagging them, let me tell you.
It has been made easier with a neat lawn vacuum from Sears, but it's still a chore. The vacuum grinds the leaves and small branches down for mulch and easier bagging, but it still is a lot of work.
I do it a little at a time, and the front is ALMOST done.
The most difficult part of the chore is taking the leaves OUT of the vacuum's bagger and putting them into large plastic lawn bags or those paper bags supplied by our village.
If anyone has a tip or two about this part of the procedure, please feel free to contribute.

Busy weekend

2009-04-03T11:26:00.001-04:00

Wanted desperately to attack outside projects -- like leaves, landscaping, etc. -- this weekend, but rain might throw a wrench into the plans. Do have some indoor concerns, organizing mostly, so we have options.

I'm from Motown, and YOU should watch THIS

2009-03-27T19:25:00.001-04:00

John Rich, one-half the music duo of Big & Rich, wrote the song. Here's a great tribute to my city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQqyDj7RX6Y

Little project, big job

2009-03-27T18:58:00.002-04:00

This is what I hate about home maintenance. I have to fix a faucet on our jet-stream tub, and it's going to be a pain. The handle set, a Chateau model from Moen, is in three separate pieces, and the hot-water faucet seems to be plugged. No water. I removed the mechanisms -- with the water on and then turned off. A call to Moen leads me to believe the water-supply hose (it's not a copper tube) is plugged, keeping hot water from entering the faucet stem and mechanism.
Here's the tough part: There is no access panel for the faucet, which is up against a cabinet and a stained-oak panel.
It appears I will either have to create an access panel from INSIDE the cabinet, which is going to be a real piece of work, or I have to cut away the stained-oak panel, then place a molding or decorative access panel over the hole when I am done.
I am going to post photos, but if there's a plumber out there who has a better idea for this, let me hear it ....

Great drywall products

2009-03-27T07:43:00.002-04:00

Finishing a wall near my new shower enclosure ...using a drywall repair product from FibaTape ... great stuff. I'm using this mesh screen to cover an opening of about 72 inches high, 12-14 inches wide. Measure, cut and cover with drywall compound ...
Anyone else out there use FibaTape??

Welcome

2009-03-26T21:58:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to bookmark my homepage: www.garydymski.com

Here's the first of many blogs, I hope ... We'll try to follow projects -- yours and mine -- show new techniques and products, and highlight the interesting and unique in home renovation, repair and maintenance. Stick around or check back often.