Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: mower + you + hemi  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Mowers: Can you say "hemi"?

Q: We really need to wean the populace from dependence on gas engines, and doing that against the pervasive and persuasive advertising for gas mowers is pretty much an uphill battle. Even electric would be better, and quieter, too. I think it would be really interesting if you could run a piece to find out just how many hand mowers are out there. My guess is less than 1 percent. My motivation for writing is as a longtime teacher of human ecology.

A: Push mowers? You mean the type that isn't self-propelled and you have to push uphill? Oh wait — I think you might be referring to one of those charming relics that doesn't even have an engine! My great-grandfather had one of those, and he was born in a cabin in the woods. Obviously you are a Prius-driving Communist. I thought push-reel mowers had been relegated to the museum, alongside hand-operated can openers, bicycles and manual screwdrivers. As an educated person, you no doubt are aware of the concept of entropy? There's just no turning back, my friend. Riding lawnmowers are now the thing to have.

Ford added leather seats, a CD player, two more doors and cupholders to a Bronco, called it an Expedition, and everyone had to have one to go to the mall. Same with Toro, baby. Cupholders, high-back seats, a 25-horsepower V-twin (like a Harley), automatic transmission, shiny paint, a rough and rugged image, and suddenly you are mowing the lawn in style.

Let the Joneses keep up with that! Nowadays, it is a bit embarrassing to be seen with a walk-behind mower, self-propelled or not. After all, where would the low-carb latte go?

Just because a push-reel mower is good exercise, doesn't stink, is quiet, better for the lawn, doesn't throw rocks, is safer, takes up less space, costs less, never fails to start, doesn't pollute, requires less maintenance, requires no fuel and is a wonderful way to commune with nature doesn't mean it is any better for your image in the neighborhood.

So let's poll the readers: What type of lawnmower do you use? Riding? Electric? Solar? Push reel? Gas rotary self-propelled? Gas rotary push? A herd of goats? And how big is your lawn? Contact me at the e-mail address below.

Q: I have a newer home with a fairly small lot (approximately 7,000 square feet). My neighbor also has a small lot, however, the neighbor planted several large trees, one a very aggressive wisteria-type tree, on our property line about four years ago. Since then the trees have exploded in growth, and the root systems have encroached into our yard and now run along the foundation of our house.

If these trees continue to grow at a rapid rate, will the roots damage or crack the foundation of our house? If yes, how do we handle the situation with our neighbor? Do we have the right to ask them to remove their trees?

A: The case could be made that the roots from the trees are encroaching upon your property and can be trimmed, similar to an overhanging limb.

Legal matters aside, the chance of a wisteria doing any damage to your foundation is about as likely as seeing me behind a push-reel mower.

Modern foundations with multiple layers of reinforcing steel are pretty much immune to tree-root damage unless it is a very large tree very close to the building. Undermining of the foundation is more likely than damage — your foundation could span six feet without support and still be 100 percent intact.

Plastic drainage-piping systems beside the foundation might be more vulnerable to damage, however. Despite the low risk, it would be advisable to consider alternatives or partial removal/root barriers with the neighbor.

Q: Who is responsible for maintaining sidewalks in Seattle: the city or the homeowner? A very steep curvy section near me is deeply covered in moss and thus becomes treacherous in rain.

A: Quoting directly from the city's Web site (www.seattle.gov/transportation/publicrow.htm#owner):

"When property is developed, property owners dedicate part of the land as 'public right-of-way' for streets, sidewalks, utilities and similar public uses ... they are responsible for maintaining part of the right-of-way next to their property, including the sidewalk and planting strip, or the roadway shoulder if unimproved ... property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to their property. They must make sure snow and ice does not pose a hazard to pedestrians. They must also repair cracks and other damage. If a property owner installs a new concrete sidewalk, the owner or the contractor must obtain a Street Use Permit to make sure the walkway meets the City's current standards, including wheelchair ramps at street corners and proper drainage of the street area."

Drain exchange

The following is part of an exchange between me and a home-improvement author and friend, who shall remain nameless. While anonymous and a few bricks shy, he definitely has a great sense of humor.

Anonymous friend: "I didn't quite get the answer to the drainage problem in your column last week. If you cut a slit across the concrete, won't the water just seep underneath instead of draining off anywhere? And wouldn't it still flood the area if the soil underneath didn't absorb the water fast enough? Are you in cahoots with the concrete saw manufacturers?"

Darrell: "Cut the slit across the concrete, not through it. Cut a groove into, not through, the concrete. Yes, it would flood underneath the concrete if you actually cut through the concrete. But we didn't, so it's not a problem — water drains on the remaining three inches of concrete thickness. No, I'm not in cahoots with the saw manufacturers, but with the blade manufacturers. Just like with computers and printers, the money is not in the hardware, but in the blades, software and ink."

Anonymous friend: "Well, excuuuuusssse me. I re-read it, and it does in fact mention varying depths. See, if a world-renowned expert such as myself questions your answer, just imagine what a common reader would do. I predict an epidemic of cut-through concrete throughout Puget Sound. Then, as driveways and sidewalks buckle and garages sink, it will all be traced back to this column. Then what? You'll have to hide out in your rental units, and everyone knows they regularly flood."

Darrell Hay answers readers' questions. Call 206-464-8514 to record your question,