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.

December 7, 2019

       Dear Ken: I’m going away for twelve days. I will shut off the main water valve in the basement, but I don’t want to turn the water heater off because it’s too hard to light. Is that OK? Bill

     Turn the water heater control to the OFF position. It’s OK to leave the pilot on so it’ll be easy to reenergize when you get back. For longer trips though, I think it’s a good idea to turn...

November 30, 2019

     As I get older, it seems the Christmas season starts ever earlier and I catch up ever later. One way to get in the mood, I find, is to dig the lights out of the garage and make a holiday decorating statement. Here are a few tips on outdoor light decorating to keep both you and the family safe this year. 

 

Gifts for Handyman Column

          It’s time to start thinking about gifts for those handy folks in your life.

    And don’t forget the kids. Boys and girls beginning around 1st grade age, a college student in your life, or a young couple just starting out can all benefit from familiarity with tools.

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November 16, 2019

       Dear Ken: Should I do anything with my air conditioner in the winter? Sam

November 9, 2019

     Dear Ken: Would you tell me how to pick out a whole house humidifi­er? Brenda

     Designs without moving parts and continuous self-cleaning operation are best; the AprilAire brand is one. It simply dribbles a flow of hot water over a mesh screen. Warm air then blows over the screen and this more humid air is deliv­ered to the rooms. Install it offset from the furnace---that is on one of the side ducts, so it doesn't sit directly over the combustion chamber....

November 2, 2019

     Dear Readers: It’s time to button up the house for the coming cold weather season, so here are a few tips to help you stay cozy, warm and hassle-free this winter.

     Cold air is very heavy. If you think of it as a liquid that can stealthily seep into hidden spaces and cavities, it'll help you anticipate trouble before it occurs in and around your plumbing.

October 26, 2019

     Dear Ken: I have a toilet that "burps" on occasion. It seems to happen when the water heater kicks on. Does this sound familiar? Brenda

     There may or may not be a relationship between the two. Remove the tank cover and make sure that little rubber overflow hose hasn't fallen into the larger plastic overflow tube (it needs to be above the water level or it'll siphon water out of the tank).  Next, dump some red food coloring into the tank and come...

October 19, 2019

     Dear Ken: I have a home out east and am going to paint the exterior this year.  There are no trees on the property to provide protection and so the paint suffers from extra sun and wind. Could you please recommend a good quality paint? Mike                               

October 12, 2019

     Dear Readers: It’s time to start thinking about mothballing the sprinkler system for another season. So is it really necessary to blow it out with compressed air? I don't recommend it. Why? It's vital during dry winters to water the lawn, bushes and young trees once every three or four weeks. To avoid dragging stiff and frozen hoses all over the yard trying to water with a portable sprinkler, I like to fire up my system on those warm winter days we enjoy here in the Rockies. Modern systems, with the zone...

September 21, 2019

     Dear Ken: I've got some dark and dreary paneling in the basement that I want to paint. Getting the paint to stick is a problem. I don't want to use a solvent based primer, because of all the fumes—especially with the pilot lights burning inside the furnace and water heater. How can I paint the walls without blowing up my house? Brenda