Author: By Ken Moon Special to The Gazette
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Around the house: Save money by turning down thermostat at night
Dear Ken: We set our thermostat to 67 degrees in the day and 60 at night. Are we saving money? Also, it takes about 1 ½ hours to get it back up to 67 in the morning. Is that too long? — Sam Answer: You definitely are saving heating dollars. I like your temperature spread;…
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Around the house: Older microwaves could be leaking radiation so take these steps to ensure safety
Dear Ken: How do I know whether my microwave is safe? — John Answer: The hinges, doors and seals on older microwaves can loosen over time, allowing radiation to leak around the edges. If your model is newer — say, 15 years or younger — it’s likely OK. You could hire a home inspector to…
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Around the House: When traveling away from home, don’t set thermostat too low
Dear Ken: How low should we set the thermostat while we’re traveling away from home? — Gayle Answer: Never less than 55 degrees. You don’t want to risk freezing pipes in the outside walls. While the thermostat might be at a given setting, the exterior walls — especially those facing north — will be considerably…
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Around the house: How to clean smelly garbage disposal
Dear Ken: I have a disposer with a strong moldy smell I can’t get out. Any suggestions? — Joanne Answer: Grab an old toothbrush, dip it in full-strength ammonia and scrub the underside of that rubber splash guard and as much of the inside top of the disposer shell as you can. For a more…
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Around the house: How to repair brittle concrete cracks
If your house is more than a few years old, chances are the concrete has moved, settled or cracked. Here are answers to the most common problems: Exterior: Concrete is very brittle, so the slightest movement of the underlying soil will create a crack. Control joints — the grooves intentionally furrowed into the surface —…
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Around the house: Three materials best to build decks, depending on budget
Dear Ken: Which do you prefer for decks? Real wood or composite materials? – Mitch Answer: It depends on your budget. Composite (plastic) decking is fairly expensive, but definite advantages accrue over the years to offset the extra initial outlay, mainly extremely low annual maintenance. Redwood, of course, is the gold standard in real wood,…
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Around the house: Sour-smelling drains need mechanical fix
Dear Ken: The sink drains in our master bedroom emit a sour odor every summer. I have tried mixtures of bleach and powered detergent with no success. Do we just have to live with it? Kirsten Answer: Not necessarily. Sometimes, ordinary drain cleaners aren’t enough. Lavatory piping can trap long strands of hair, dental floss…
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Spruce up that winter-weathered deck
Dear readers: The weather this winter probably was a little rough on your deck, so now’s a good time for a “tune-up” for the outdoor season ahead. – Structure. The end of each joist supporting the deck’s floorboards should be resting in a metal joist hanger. If not, they’re easy to install and quite inexpensive.…
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Around the house: Shower grab bars must be secure and safe
Dear Ken: I want to add a couple of grab bars in my shower. How do I start? – Alan Answer: Avoid the so-called “no screws” grab bars. They are anchored with super-strong adhesive, and their advertising looks very appealing. But the constant, unavoidable steam and moisture in a shower stall – plus the microscopic…
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Around the house: Save water – and money – when setting up your sprinkler system for spring
Dear Ken: How do you recommend I set my sprinkler system for this upcoming watering season? – Will Answer: Less is better. Water is not only expensive here in the West, but also is a natural enemy of houses. Moisture near or under the foundation, patio, driveway, sidewalks or other concrete surfaces can cause movement…