Lost power, flooding can damage heating systems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 ...