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.

September 28, 2009

           Dear Ken:  I want to remove that popcorn ceiling in my home.  But the drywallers disagree.  One wants to remove it, the other wants to cover it with new drywall.  What do you think?             Carlos

September 21, 2009

Dear Ken:

We have an 800 square foot basement.  About how much would it cost to finish it out?

Jim

September 14, 2009

Dear Ken:  I want to get the new HDTV signal into my TV and get rid of the satellite to save some money.  But in my retirement area, we are limited as to what we put on the roof.  What can I do?

Julie

 

September 7, 2009

 

            Dear Readers:  The heating season is just around the corner;  this is the ideal time to schedule that furnace check up.  Why?  When the first cold snap hits, the heating and air conditioning companies get swamped with requests to light pilots and to clean and service heating systems.  You'll have to get in line then and may not be able to schedule a visit when it's most convenient for you.

 

August 31, 2009

            Dear Ken:  I have a 60 year old toilet that I don't want to replace.  But I can't get the flapper valve to quit leaking.  Can you help me?                                         Dan

August 24, 2009

            Dear Ken:  I can't find the end of one of my long flex downspout pipes.  What can I do?

August 17, 2009

            Dear Ken:   Is there any real value in purchasing a hot water heater blanket?  The outside of the water heater always feels cool to me.                                    Doris

August 10, 2009

 

            Dear Ken:  Our water heater is in the basement.  We have to wait a full minute to get hot water to the bathroom.  How can we speed up this process?               Brad

August 3, 2009

Dear Ken: Would there be much cooling difference between an attic fan and a whole house fan? Also, what about energy rebates? Bill

July 27, 2009

Dear Ken: I have a refrigerator in the garage for extras. It doesn't behave well, now that it is so hot. Any ideas how to make it more efficient? Barbara