Weekly Columns

Both current and archived weekly newspaper columns. The date of the column and a teaser of the column appears below. Click on the date to see the entire column.

December 24, 2018

     Dear Ken: I had my basement finished recently, and I have just become aware that no permits we're obtained. I can't find the guy who did it. What do I do now? John  

     You may be stuck, unless the city or county building authority in your area will do after-the-fact-inspections. If you can talk then into it, you'll probably be charged a penalty fee--like double or triple the normal inspection tariff. Then they may ask you to tear into walls so they...

December 17, 2018

Dear Readers:  This is a reprise of a column I first published in 1996. I hope it will help remind you of your favorite Christmas past.

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December 10, 2018

     Dear Ken: Do you recommend those foam type filters in the heat vents in the winter? Also, what about those curved plastic gadgets that I’ve heard heat up the room faster?  Tom

December 3, 2018

     Dear Ken: We bought new windows this year. We get what I think is excessive condensation on them when it's cold outside. Can you comment? Josh

November 26, 2018

     Dear Ken:  We're going away for about three months this winter. What recommendations do you have to protect the house? Jerry

     The main concern, of course, is freezing pipes. Even if you were to drain the piping system, there may be pockets of water remaining in unseen pipes inside the walls. So, never turn the heat totally off. Some folks have asked about blowing the system out with compressed air--like a sprinkler system--and then turning off the furnace. I don't like the idea, because below-...

November 19, 2018

     Dear Ken:  I have a gap between my basement sheet rock wall and the foundation.  Recently the outside faucet froze up.  How can I keep this from happening? Gene              

     You need to get some warm air to the house side of the faucet. I doubt your void space behind the wall is the culprit. Usually, you will need to cut a hole in the...

November 12, 2018

     Dear Ken: I have 3 interior doors that won't stay open without a door stop.  I've checked them, and they are perfectly plumb. Any ideas? Cliff

November 5, 2018

     Dear Ken: I have a mess. I'm trying to get wallpaper off the bathroom wall. It evidently was glued directly on the sheet rock, and when I pull it off, the drywall gets fuzzy. What do I do know? Meagan

October 29, 2018

     Dear Ken: I have a sewer gas odor in the basement only in the evenings, in cooler weather and also on windy days. Can you help? Phyllis

October 22, 2018

     Dear Ken: When the morning sun shines on my garage door sensor, the door won't go down. One guy said I need a new opener. Do you agree? Monika