Columns

Both current and archived 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 26, 2020

     Dear Ken: How do I know whether my microwave is safe or not? John

     The hinges, doors and seals on older microwaves can loosen up over time and allow some radiation to leak around the edges. If yours is newer--say 15 years or younger—it’s probably OK. You could hire a home inspector to check it out. Or you can buy a leak detector online for less than $30.

December 19, 2020

     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.

     Allow me to reminisce a little. This the story of my 7th Christmas---way back in the fifties. If you remember those days, you surely recall how little money most families had. Many presents were homemade, and toys weren’t nearly as complex, high-tech and expensive as they are now. We probably...

December 12, 2020

     Dear Ken:  Do you like those little deflectors that stick on to the heat vents with magnets? Danny

     In a word, no. The reason we put heat vents along the outside walls—especially under windows and doors—is to wash warm air over those coldest surfaces. The plastic deflectors you ask about will nullify that design. It’s a perception thing, too; the center of the room may be at, say, 70º, but the diversion of the heat flow will mean that the...

December 5, 2020

     Dear Ken: Can you give me a few tips on how to keep my granite tops in good condition and nice and shiny? Danielle

November 28, 2020

 

     Dear Readers: Here’s another reminder to winter water. We’ve had virtually no precipitation in a while, so your lawn, garden  and smaller shrubs and trees need a drink. When it’s this dry, lawns are particularly susceptible to damage. In addition to desiccated root damage, they can become infested with mites that will suck the life out of your healthy sod.  Now you know why I don’t recommend blowing out the sprinkler system. Modern, well-drained set-ups...

November 21, 2020

     Dear Ken: With the holidays coming up, we got to thinking about fire extinguishers.  Do you have any recommendations? Dan

November 14, 2020

     Dear Ken: We have one of those new front loading washers. It’s on the 2nd floor, and when it spins, the whole house shakes. Do you think we should move the laundry downstairs? Rhonda

     Not yet. These front loading models are more sensitive to out-of-level situations than their top loading cousins. If your machine is supposedly “self-leveling”, fine, but check it anyway with a carpenter’s level to...

November 7, 2020

     Dear Ken: I want a new kitchen floor. We have existing vinyl tile and underlayment.  They are in pretty good shape, but do we have to remove them first before we install new laminate flooring? Julie

     Usually not. If the floor you have now is intact—that is flat and not bubbled--it can stay in place. In fact, removing it could release harmful dust into the air that you would want to avoid.

October 31, 2020

     Dear Ken: My disposal is giving me fits. How can I tell if it’s just quit or needs to be reset? David

     Look for a small button on the underside of the disposer. You may have to lie on your back and use a flashlight. Once you find it, firmly push up on it. If it snaps back into place with a noticeable “click”, then you’re back in business. On the other hand, if it hasn’t popped out—and you’re sure the circuit breaker in the...

October 24, 2020

     Dear Ken: Our living room is always cold. It has a crawl space under it, about three feet high. What kind of insulation should I use? Pat 

     I would use 6-inch batts, which will give you about an R-19 under that floor. Use insulation without the paper. Why? Because moisture that wants to travel up through the floor or vice versa won’t have a vapor barrier to contend with. Otherwise, you risk mold creation between the layers.