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.

May 11, 2019

     Dear Ken: Our home has a woodpecker that is damaging one side of our house.  What's the best way to get rid of this pest? Larry 

     Contrary to what seems obvious, these birds don't see your home as a snack---but as a great way to meet the new Mrs. The tapping is territorial and is meant to stake out an area for breeding and to ward off interlopers. Trouble is, once they’ve chosen your house as a rendezvous, they tend to stick around. Hanging tin...

May 4, 2019

    Dear Ken: Could you do a column on radon as it applies to private homes sometime? Charles

     Researchers are beginning to re-think the methods used to gather and to ex­trapolate the historical data into today's concerns about this stuff. Radon is a colorless, heavy, slightly radioactive gas. It is produced as a natural result of the decay of uranium deep underground. It can seep into the lower levels of a house, and---so the theory goes---when it's concentrated...

April 27, 2019

     Dear Ken: I used some Vaseline on the base of a decorative light bulb.  I thought that it would come out easier when I had to replace it.  But it seemed to make it worse.  Is there a better way? Lori

April 20, 2019

     Here's my semi-annual lecture on drainage. As a former builder, I spook easily when water in or around a house is men­tioned. There's nothing that can cause more loss of sleep, heartache and value erosion than to be stuck in a house with those dreaded "water problems". Buyers and their agents tend to stay clear of those properties, simply because there are so many others that are dry!

     This is an ideal time to analyze, repair and fine-tune the...

April 13, 2019

     Dear Ken: My wife and I go round and round on this one. I'm from the southwest and think a swamp cooler is all we need. She's from back east and wants central air. Will you break the tie. Gary.

April 6, 2019

     Dear Ken: With summer on the way, I'm trying to decide whether or not to install a whole house fan. Wouldn't it be just as effective to set a couple of box fans in the windows of the upstairs hallway, since our hot whether doesn't last long? Todd                                                                        

March 25, 2019

     Dear Ken: The rubber triangle pieces on our garbage disposer look awful and disgusting. How do you clean them? Joanne

     Take an old toothbrush or a round toilet bowl brush, saturate it in liquid, full strength ammonia and scrub the splash guard--top and bottom. This is an area of the disposal most often neglected--and the one that produces that bad breath" smell in the summertime. 

March 18, 2019

     Dear Ken: About 10 years ago, I replaced my washer hoses with the stainless steel braided type. Will they last forever or should I replace them? Audrey

     You did well. Failure of these hoses is one of the most common causes of household flooding. Since there is constant pressure in them (no one I know shuts off the water to the washing machine each time--even your humble, handyman correspondent!) So, the braided style is a great choice to prevent bursting. Your hoses...

March 11, 2019

     Dear Ken: If you had to do one thing to save energy, which it be? A new furnace or new windows? Dennis

March 4, 2019

 

     Dear Ken: I just purchased a 25 year old home that has a strong musty odor in the garage. Is there a drywall sealer for this? Ted.

     I'd attack this problem on multiple fronts. Make sure outside water can’t get under the building. Check the outside drainage; are the downspouts extended, and soil sloped away? Also, siding should be at least 6 inches above the dirt. If not, regrade or install a small retaining wall to hold the dirt...