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 ...

Wood floor project

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

 

Another look at our home winterizing video

Get Your Home Ready for Winter
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