February 1, 2010

            Dear Ken:  I'm confused as to where to put carbon monoxide detectors.  I see some up high, some low, and some half way up!      Ken

            I like them low.   When you're sleeping, you're at your most vulnerable.  So plug in at least one detector into a regular outlet-so it'll be at roughly the same level as your head. 

            I'm not crazy about the combination smoke/CO detectors mounted at the ceiling level.  Smoke accumulates up there, all right, but by the time it detected carbon monoxide, you'd be in trouble.  Of course, in all cases, follow the manufacturer's advice.  For more info, go to www.kiddie.com

            Dear Ken:   My neighbor is a senior citizen, and she's afraid she may have termites.  How can I help her?    Guy

            Termites are relatively rare out here.  She may be confusing them with carpenter ants.  These critters leave little piles of sawdust here and there.  Like all ants, they have a narrow waist, while termites have a straight profile.  Termites are also hard to see-they are shy and leave little evidence of their destructive presence.  You can sometimes spot mud tubes running upward on the concrete foundation walls from the ground-inside and out.

            One of the principal  indicators that she may have a termite infestation, is the prior presence of termites in the neighborhood.  If they are banished from one house, they may swarm to another nearby home.

            Have one of the exterminator companies check out her house if you have suspicions.  They will probably scan for carbon dioxide, as these insects produce lots of it as they munch away.  If they find some, they will probably install plastic traps baited with poison at intervals around the foundation.

            PS:  You're a good neighbor.

            Dear Ken:   I have a 1986 water heater.   Should I replace it now to save money?

Don

            If it's not leaking, I'd leave it alone.  Newer water heaters are subject to the energy codes passed in the 90's.  They don't heat water quite as quickly as their ancestors.  Whether you should drain it after all this time is problematic;  you might trigger a leak.         So for now, cover it with an insulation wrap and let it do its thing until it gives up the ghost.

            Dear Ken:   You talked about not discharging the brine output from a softener into your septic tank.  I have a 95% high efficiency furnace.  What about the water that dribbles out of it?   Septic or not?        Robert

            It's probably OK.  The volume of water from these high efficiency units isn't as great as the discharge from a softener-which recharges every couple of days.  Plus, the liquid is acidic, and so are the contents of your septic tank.  Make sure the sewer pipes you run this condensate line into are plastic, as the acid may eat away at older cast iron sewer pipes.

            Dear Ken:    I'm replacing my front porch support posts with treated lumber.    Can I simply paint them to match the house?   Victor

                  I wouldn't use regular house paint.  It lays down sort of a layer of rubber on the surface.  That can trap water between it and the surface of the wood.  The moisture may deteriorate the wood, and most certainly will eventually slough off the paint.   That's why I always recommend against painting any part of a deck;  these exterior wood surfaces close to the ground should be stained.

            So, have the paint store mix up some semi-transparent stain in a color to match the house.  That will allow the new wood to "breathe".  And remember:  no dirt within 6" of the wood supports.