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 19, 2016

     Dear Ken:  I have that popcorn type ceiling and want to paint it. What is best, latex semi-gloss or flat? Jan

December 12, 2016

     Dear Ken: Is it OK to have a new roof installed in the winter? Ray

December 5, 2016

     Dear Readers: This is the season that stresses the systems in our homes to the max. Long nights and short days with their extra lighting loads, cooking, Christmas lights, fireplace use and extra folks staying over mean that hidden vulnerabilities may show up during the holidays.

November 28, 2016

      Dear Readers:  You may have noticed that enterprising landscaping companies-- in order to even out their seasonal cash flow and stay busy--are advertising their services to install your Christmas lights for you. If you have any trepidation about hanging from a ladder, you should consider hiring one of these firms. Of course, make sure they have worker's compensation and liability insurance before you hire them.

November 21, 2016

     Dear Ken: I have a mountain cabin, and the county wants me to put in a propane “sniffer” in the crawl space. They are kind of pricey. What do you think? Alisa

November 14, 2016

     Dear Ken: I have a refrigerator in my garage. In the summer it does OK, but usually not in the winter. I can’t keep it cold enough. What can I do to have it run more normally? Bill

November 7, 2016

     Dear Ken: I have a terrible ice dam over my garage (northwest side). I’ve seen a heated metal system you install under the shingles along the edge of the roof. Would that be a good idea? Beverly. 

October 31, 2016

     Dear Ken: The stucco on my house is fading and deteriorating. Can I just paint it? Or does it need a new stucco coat? Don

October 24, 2016

      Dear Ken: We need a new water heater. The plumber wants to put in an expansion tank alongside. Is this really necessary? And should we get a bigger model? Stan

October 17, 2016

      Dear Ken:  I have a 40 year old house with the original furnace. The technician who inspected it says it probably won't make it through another winter, and of course he wants to sell me a new one. What should I do? Wes

     Apparently, he didn't say the furnace has failed at this time. Just because it’s old, doesn't necessarily mean that it needs replacement. If he had thought it was unsafe right now, he...