Tag: Do It Yourself
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Around the House: If garage door spring breaks, it’s best to spring for a professional
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Dear Ken: One of the springs on my garage door is broken. Is this something I can fix? — Mitch Answer: I wouldn’t. Those springs are wound to a high degree of tension so they…
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Around the House: Getting to the core of an apple issue
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 mess. 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 Answer: There are growth-…
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Around the House: Turn to attic fan to cool off overly hot attic
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save I’ve been conducting an experiment over the last couple of weeks at my house to see how hot the attic gets in the daytime. I was somewhat surprised to see temperatures routinely in the 120s and 130s during the middle part of the day. And,…
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Around the House: Solving one stinky situation in the bathroom
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Dear Ken: We can’t get our bathroom lavatories to stop smelling. We’ve tried Liquid-Plumr, baking soda and vinegar, even bleach. Can you help? — Roger Answer: Did you remember the overflow? That’s the hole in the front of the sink that drains water if you…
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Around the House: Don’t retire water heater too soon
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 Answer: I think it’s a good idea. You’ll only pay about $100 more for the larger size; it’s worth it…
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Around the House: Opt for clear stain to let redwood deck shine
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Dear Ken: I love my new deck, and I want to keep that pretty redwood color. Can I use a clear stain? — Brad Answer: The reddish-blond color of new redwood is gorgeous. The color components in most tinted deck stains help to reflect UV…
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Good-bye city life: As cities lose luster, residents flee to suburbs
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save From their two-bedroom condo in a high-rise tower in San Francisco, Kristina and Grayson Dove enjoyed all downtown had to offer. Great restaurants, nightlife and theater lay just outside the door. Then came March 2020. The pandemic sent employees home to work remotely. The city…
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At Home: When replacing light fixtures, replace bulbs too
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The day had finally come, well, actually the night, when I got to see my home in a new light — LED light to be exact. I had been waiting impatiently for the eight light fixtures I had ordered two months ago to arrive. Now…
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Around the House: Time to give your lawn some attention
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save I hope you kept up with your winter watering when conditions were dry. These here-today- gone-tomorrow snowstorms 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…
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Around the House: Weight of snow on roof is likely not an issue, but resulting ice dams are
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save 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…