Author: Ken Moon Special to The Gazette
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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: Pesky pigeon problem not easy to solve
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Dear Ken: I have pigeons nesting under my porch roof overhang. Help! How can I send them someplace else? — Debbie Answer: It’s a mystery why pigeons pick out one house in a neighborhood and ignore the others. But, once they do, they are very…
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Around the House: Look for cause of rusty window wells
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Dear Ken: How can I clean up my rusty window wells? They are pretty ugly. — Galen Answer: There are rust inhibitor paints that you can use. They combine with the iron oxide to create a primer coat you can then cover with a spray-on…
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Around the House: Opt for plug-in when getting a carbon monoxide detector
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Dear Ken: I’m in the market for a carbon monoxide detector. One is a plug-in, and the other is a wall-mount battery style. Which do you like? — Chuck Answer: I prefer the one that plugs into a wall outlet. Outlets are usually about 13…
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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: 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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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…
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Around the House: Don’t let unwanted snow dampen your day
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Snow can wreak havoc this time of year, causing all kinds of distressing issues if not kept at bay. Here are some ways to ward off intrusion: Wind-blown snow can invade a home and settle in out-of-the-way places not often checked. The attic is most…