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 20, 2010

 

          Dear Ken:   I put a new skylight in the bathroom with a metal frame, and now it drips like crazy every morning.  Am I stuck with it?  Dale

December 13, 2010

            Dear Ken:   My outlets are cold and seem to let in a breeze.  I've used those foam pads under the covers.  Anything else I can do?   Dave

December 6, 2010

           Dear Ken:  My lawnmower is in an outside storage shed.  What do I need to do to get it ready for the winter?      Sue

            Buy a gasoline preservative treatment-like Stabil-and add it to the lawnmower's gas tank plus any gas in cans you intend to use next spring.  Run the mower for 5 minutes or so to suck the adulterated gas into the carburetor and other internal parts.  I use a clamp-like the ones you use to hold...

November 29, 2010

          Dear Ken:   I have a puddle under the kitchen sink.  I can't seem to find its source.  Any ideas?    Jay

November 22, 2010

             Dear Ken:  My son had to move out of his house to remodel.  There must have been some food left in the dishwasher, because it smells awful.  How can we sweeten it up?   Dennis

            First, clean it mechanically.  Use an old toothbrush and soapy water to scrub the door and its seals, plus any cracks where junk can hide.  Then remove the bottom spray arm;  you'll see a screened plate with screws holding it in...

November 15, 2010

            Dear Ken:   I've got some turbo vents on my roof.  Should I block them off?     Jerry

            I would.  They will last longer-theoretically double the number of years-if you keep them shrouded in the winter.  The little point bearings that the rotating hood sits on aren't very sophisticated, so they'll last a lot longer if they aren't spinning for half the year.  Use a plastic garbage bag and bungee cord...

November 8, 2010

            Dear Ken:   My furnace and water heater sit in a 1000 SF unfinished basement.  There are two cold air vents to the outside to bring in air.  Can I block them off?   Ellie

November 1, 2010

            Dear Readers:  Many of you "snow birds" go away for extended periods during cold weather .  So, here are some tips to get the house ready:

October 25, 2010

            Dear Ken:  What about ice dams?   I don't want to go through another winter with ice and freezing water stuck in the gutters and all over the driveway.  By the way, I'm sure you've guessed that it faces north.   Andy

October 18, 2010

            Dear Readers:   Many folks blow out their sprinkler systems this time of year.  Not me.  If it's a dry winter, you should water the lawn every three weeks or so.  That ensures that the roots won't dry out excessively;  if they do, the lawn is much more susceptible to disease, weeds and insects next year. 

            Virtually all modern sprinkler systems are piped with that shiny, black polyethylene material. ...