Home & Garden

She had calloused hands, rarely wore makeup and loved any

She had calloused hands, rarely wore makeup and loved any movie with Joan Crawford or Bette Davis. Her favorite singer was Teresa Brewer. She was opinionated, fearless and loyal.

Now that your swimming pool is open for the season - it must be by now, right? - how do you keep the water sparkling clean?

Some of our 20-year-old double-pane windows have developed condensation between the panes of glass. We are looking to replace these windows. One window from a European manufacturer has a lifetime warranty; so does another window that is made locally. Both are triple-pane products. The other window we're considering is double-paned, has a 20-year warranty and is made in New Jersey. We want to prevent condensation, and price is not a major consideration. Each window model has an Energy Star rating. We don't know if we need triple-pane or double-pane windows.

There was a little problem when I turned on my inground sprinkler system in mid-April. One of the seven zones in the system had a bad valve. The damaged valve stayed on all the time, even when another zone was programmed to run and even when I unplugged the control box.

The more you listen to Rick Wertheim, the more you realize his concepts on building and remodeling really aren't anything new. They're just a lot better. It's about taking the materials we already use in new home construction and renovations and using them more efficiently.

The cost of energy keeps rising. Some of us notice. It gets harder and harder for homeowners on fixed incomes to pay utility bills. Some of us notice.

I have a nine-room house, and in four of the rooms, I am having problems with my high-hat lighting fixtures. Cold air comes out of all the light openings. The air is especially cold when the lights have been turned off. This creates quite a draft, especially in winter. It's also killing us in terms of heating bills and trying to keep the house comfortably warm. I'm always freezing. What are my options for stopping this cold air? Do I have to seal them up and use coal-oil lamps?

When John and Lynda Helenek renovated their 10-year-old Lake Grove Colonial almost a year ago, the last thing on their minds was their driveway.

The season to take care of your gas-powered small-engine yard and lawn equipment is the fall. Prepping the machines for winter storage means they'll start more easily and run smoother in the spring.

Last week's heavy rain was the final test. I'm positive now that I've solved the mystery of my leaky master bedroom skylight.

There's something warm and natural about a wood floor. From honey-stained oak to wine-colored cherry, a wood floor injects character into a room, suggesting a measure of sophistication and a depth of personality.

What makes a product a hit?

What makes a product a hit?