July 27, 2009

Dear Ken: I have a refrigerator in the garage for extras. It doesn't behave well, now that it is so hot. Any ideas how to make it more efficient? Barbara

That second refrigerator-some call it a "beer box"-doesn't like temperature extremes. In the summer, you'll need to keep the garage as cool as possible. Most garages are too hot anyway, so I'd suggest you insulate the big garage door, plus the attic and walls, then add a layer of sheetrock. Refrigerator or not, that will save you energy, summer and winter. You could also install a simple though-the-wall vent fan. In this extreme environment, it's important to constantly monitor the inside temperature of both the fresh food section (ideally about 38°) and the freezer compartment (0° is about right).
Actually, garage refrigerators are more finicky in the winter. Most manufacturers say they should be in environments that get no cooler than 55. Why? When the ambient temperature gets below that, the freezer quits running because the fresh food side doesn't call for cooling. That means that the freezer starts to warm up, and thaw out your expensive food. To offset that, hang a 25 or 40 watt light bulb in the frig side so it "sees" a little heat.
Bottom line: These back-up refrigerators do much better in a more moderate part of the house, like the basement.

Dear Ken: One of my toilets rocks, and there is a little water underneath. Should I replace the wax ring? John
Probably. In some cases, especially on an uneven floor, you should use two rings. By the way, the rocking is easy to fix. You can purchase small plastic shims to wedge under the low side. Then caulk around the base-expect for the backside. Leaving it open allows water to escape quickly if there is another leak. That "telegraphs" the problem to you long before any permanent damage occurs.

Dear Ken: What can I do about moldy smelling towels this time of year?
Cindy
First, tell the kids to hang them up spread out-not folded-after they are used. Put a cup or so of full strength liquid ammonia in the wash along with your favorite detergent. Some folks have suggested an alternative on my show: add a half cup of baking soda to help sweeten up the load. Also, at this time of year, I find that wash cloths-because they are perpetually wet-are hard to keep smelling sweet no matter what you do.
While we're on a smelly subject, a word or two about disposers. The biggest contributor to that sour smell is that rubber splash guard. Clean it thoroughly with an old tooth brush dipped in ammonia. One of my friends also has luck using an old- fashioned, bristled toilet bowl brush. It just fits through the opening, and it not only cleans the splashguard, but also the entire inside of the metal disposer casing.
It also helps to occasionally throw in several handfuls of ice cubes plus half a lemon. The ice scours, while the citric acid in the lemon helps sweeten the innards of the disposer.

Dear Ken: I noticed a puddle of water when the central A/C system is working. Where do you think it's coming from? Al
Cooling produces a fair amount of condensed water vapor inside the coils on top of the furnace. Normally, this flows down the condensate line and into the nearest floor drain. If yours is backing up and leaking some place else, you may have a plug up in that coil cabinet. Call your HVAC contractor to come take a look. They may want to take things apart and clean out accumulated dust and dirt. This is a good idea anyway-whether you are getting leaks or not-every 5 years or so. It will restore proper air flow through the system and shave dollars off your cooling bill.