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.

July 3, 2021

     Dear Ken: We have two big windows in a sunroom which gets quite hot, and we want to know what you think of window film? Does it last? Is it good for privacy?—Cheryl

     It's mostly good for saving energy. It can help reflect heat inside in the winter, saving heating dollars—and back out in the summer, lowering your air conditioning costs. You can apply it yourself if you have a little help—and a lot of patience. The process is...

June 26, 2021

     Dear Readers: We’re nearing the halfway point of the sprinkling season now, so it’s a good time to check the operation of your system. Most of us sprinkle early in the morning, so we never have a chance to it in action. Sprinkler heads get bumped and tweaked all season long as you mow the lawn—so you may be surprised to see that some heads are broken and produce a small geyser or are stuck and don’t pop up at all. And some might also be pointing in the wrong direction—spraying against the deck, fence, siding, foundation or...

September 4, 2021

     Dear Ken: I’ve been picking up apples on the lawn and driveway for what seems like half the summer. I’m tired of the mass. I hate to cut the branches off, because the tree is well-shaped and provides good shade. What can I do next season to avoid this? Mark

     There are growth inhibiting chemicals—like Florel—that will kill the blossoms if sprayed on at the right time. It produces ethylene—a chemical that plants produce for themselves if they are under stress—and that gas...

September 4, 2021

     Dear Ken: I’ve been picking up apples on the lawn and driveway for what seems like half the summer. I’m tired of the mass. I hate to cut the branches off, because the tree is well-shaped and provides good shade. What can I do next season to avoid this? Mark

     There are growth inhibiting chemicals—like Florel—that will kill the blossoms if sprayed on at the right time. It produces ethylene—a chemical that plants produce for themselves if they are under stress—and that gas...

June 19, 2021

     Dear Ken: I’m wondering what’s wrong with my central air. We have it set at 72, but the house stays in the 80’s. Do we need to get it checked?—Marti

     Probably, but here are some things to do first. Make sure your furnace filter is clean; it needs to be changed no less often than once a month in the summer. Also, check that you haven’t blocked any of those cold air return grilles. Sometimes they get behind a sofa or bookcase and we forget...

June 12, 2021

     Dear Ken: We have A/C, but our 2nd floor bedrooms are hot. Would a whole house fan help? The installers think we’re crazy.—Will

June 5, 2021

     Dear Ken: I have a dancing washer. It’s a front-loading unit that literally moves several inches across the floor while it’s spinning.  How can we keep it in its place? Matt           

     These low-water-using washers spin at hundreds of RPM’s—much faster than their traditional top-loading cousins. I hear complaints not only of waltzing around the house, but also of excessive noise when they are installed on the...

May 29, 2021

     Dear Ken: My window well collects water at the bottom. Can you recommend someone to find the drain and redo things? Daniel

     You may or may not have a window well drain, depending on the age of your house.  You can lean out the window and poke around with a small shovel to see if it’s buried. If it exists it will be a black plastic 3” pipe and cap which usually extends down to the perimeter drain around the foundation. Installing one would be a real...

May 22, 2021

     Dear Ken: My old fireplace is dark red and doesn’t fit in to my color scheme any more. How do I paint it? What color would you suggest? Jan        

May 15, 2021

     Dear Ken: My house needs a new water heater. Mine is about 12 years old, and I seem to remember that you recommend replacing a 40 gallon with a 50. Is that right? Charles

     I think it’s a good idea. You’ll only pay about $100 more for the larger size; it’s worth it to have that extra supply of hot water if you’re doing two things at once, like taking a shower and perhaps washing a load of clothes.