Weekly Columns

     Dear Ken: We just bought a new house and car oil has stained the driveway. We have tried degreasers, but it is still stained. Any tips? Stan

     Grease and oil stains can be pretty tough to get out of these surfaces because the concrete itself is so porous. I've found that the following four basic steps can restore your driveway's surface to a reasonably like-new condition. First, scrape off any loose material with a putty knife, then sprinkle on a...

     Dear Readers: If you're sleeping fitfully, it may be the heat leaking into the bedroom area that's bothering you. Even on what you consider moderate days, the attic space can get to 100 degrees or more, especially if you have a dark roof. Here are some ideas to keep you more comfortable.

     We usually think of attic insulation as a winter thing, but it also helps keep the house cooler in the summer. If you don't have at least 15 inches of blown insulation,...

     Dear Readers: It’s time to service the air conditioning system; this can be an every-other-year procedure at your house. Why? Our cooling season is so short here that our A/C systems aren’t especially overworked. Your furnace, however, is another story. If it goes bad, it can let dangerous fumes into your house, so it needs an annual check, clean and service. Incidentally, some HVAC companies will give you a special price—usually around $100 or so—if they can service both systems in one trip....

     Dear Ken: Someone wired our two basement bedrooms with no ground wires to the outlets. We now have our computer in the basement and feel we need a ground. Can we do this without tearing out the walls? Rick

     It's easier than you might think. The general rule is: if it has a three-prong plug, it needs to be grounded. This applies not only to your computer (the ground helps carry harmful static away), but also to big appliances with metal frames and certain power...