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.

April 10, 2021

      Dear readers: I’m often asked for my advice about protecting the sprinkler system from freeze-ups during this transition time between seasons, when the weather’s so erratic and unpredictable. When can it be left on without worry? A hard date rule of thumb that seems to work year after year is to wait until Mother's Day. Before that, there is always a risk of a sudden freeze up.

April 3, 2021

     Dear Readers: I hope you kept up with your winter watering when conditions were dry. These here-today-gone-tomorrow snow storms are fine, but we have had fairly minimal soil percolation. You can tell how your landscape is doing by probing with a simple moisture meter or by poking into the topsoil with your finger. Anyway, this is the time of year when gardens need an extra drink or two, because bushes, perennials and flowering bulbs are just starting to wake up.

March 27, 2021

     Dear Ken: We’re close to the foothills and had about 2 feet of snow on the roof of my 30 year old two story home during that last blizzard. It turned out OK, but I was wondering if it’s a good idea to pull heavy wet snow off the roof in the future. Your thoughts on if most homes can handle this much snow? Kevin

March 20, 2021 Column

     Dear Ken: My house was built in 1969, and the kitchen cabinets are dark and very dated. I want to know if I should paint or stain them. Ethan

     You probably have that old dark, walnut-stained finish that was popular back then.  Painting them will make the house seem younger than its actual age, and will make the kitchen brighter, warmer and more inviting.

March 13, 2021 Column

     Dear Ken: Several times during the night we hears sounds of water flushing.  Should we be concerned? Margo

March 6, 2021 Column

     Dear Ken: I have a granite kitchen top. How can I remove scum and scale around the faucets--and do I need a special sealer for my countertops? Jerri

     You should use granite-specific products, like a good neutral stone cleaner and a plastic scraper. Remember that granite is a natural material and so is much more delicate and vulnerable to harsh chemicals and stains than you might assume. So you should avoid most household cleaning products for routine maintenance....

February 27, 2021

Dear Readers: Snow can be an insidious mischief-maker this time of year and cause all kinds of distressing issues if not kept at bay. Let’s review some ways to ward off intrusion:

February 20, 2021

     Dear readers: Got ice dams and icicles in your life? Usually these troubles are confined to the roof edges and gutters along the more northerly exposures. The cause of these buildups is always the same: constant melt/freeze/thaw cycles caused by an overly warm attic or the effects of the midday sun.

February 13, 2021

Dear Ken: We had a carbon monoxide leak newer furnace. The detector didn’t alarm, but our old windows leaked so much air that we are OK. I checked the fine print and the manufacturer says you should replace them every 5 years or so. Ours was older. Can you help me spread the word? Kathy

 

February 6, 2021

     Dear Ken: I want new windows, but it’s so confusing.  I have a wide range of bids with all sorts of bells and whistles. Can you help me sort through this? Gene

     It sounds like you’re in “apples and watermelons” mode; it’s hard to compare dissimilar proposals, isn’t it? So, I recommend that with each vendor, you specify a set of good, basic vinyl windows with low-e glass only. Avoid expensive add-ons, like argon gas and triple...