There's more than one way to clear a clog

The invention of the first drain was followed closely by the first clog. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to clear a clog. Here is some basic information about unclogging drains that you should try to remember. You never know when it will happen to you.

Every home should have a plunger, or plumber's friend. This rubber gadget is a super way to unclog drains. Place the open end of the plunger over the drain and apply pressure to create a seal. As you pull it up, suction will loosen the clog. Plunge it back and forth several times to dislodge the clog. Then flush the drain with water. If your drain has an overflow hole or is connected to another drain, such as with a double sink, close the hole or second drain for best results.

Another tried-and-true tool is a "snake," or plumbing auger. This is a wire that feeds down into the drain and breaks the clog loose. It works pretty well and can get farther into the line than something like a plunger. It also can be used in a lot of different types of drains and other openings.

There are some other gadgets - one we like is called the Drain King. It's an expanding rubber bulb that fits on the end of a garden hose. You feed the bulb and hose into your drain line and turn the hose on. The bulb expands to block the drain line and then sends strong pulses of water down to bust the clog.

Keep in mind that most homes have at least one household access to the main drain through what is called a "clean-out plug." These are located on the outside house wall, driveway, basement or other areas. The cover unscrews and allows you to easily get a snake into the line to get at the clog.

Chemicals also can be effective, but they should be used last. If you use them first and they don't work, then you can get the caustic chemicals on you as you work with the other tools, so avoid using them until you have exhausted the rest of your arsenal.

After busting the clog, try to remember not to put grease, hair and other things down your drain that will cause a clog. That's what traps are for!

Magnetic strips keep a hold on tools

Magnetic strips are available at hobby stores and hardware dealers. They are used for a variety of projects, but also can come in really handy in the workshop. You can buy a roll of this material and cut it to fit your needs. Some have a peel-and-stick backing, which makes them even handier to use. Place them on the top of your toolbox to hold loose hardware while you are working. Attach them to your stepladder, again to hold hardware so it won't fall to the ground and become lost. Stick a strip of magnet on your pegboard wall or workbench. You'll find a dozen uses for the stuff in your shop.

Carpenters in the garden

When it comes to gardening, we have to admit that we know just enough to get us in trouble. Mowing, edging and pulling weeds are about the only things we are allowed to do without supervision. The plain garden carts that a lot of us have are great for carrying bags of mulch or flats of plants, but you end up with pockets full of smaller tools and other things you need in the garden. Why not tie a nail apron or a spare tool belt to your garden cart? Now you have a super place to keep all those other little things you need, like washers, hand tools, seeds, sprinkler heads and other gadgets. You can remove it if you want when you are finished with your outdoor chores.

Super hints

• When moving heavy bags of mulch or potting soil, place them on your lawn mower or fertilizer spreader to haul them around if you don't have a wagon. You even can use a rolling trash can. It will save your back.

• Want a screen door that closes without a large contraption or a spring? Try a spring hinge. This looks much like a regular hinge but has a built-in spring so it closes on its own when you let go of the open door. They are even tension-adjustable.

• I've tried cutting bricks with a chisel and have found that I'm not very exact with this method. I got out my Dremel rotary tool and used a cutting wheel to etch my cutting line in the brick before using the chisel. Now my cuts look great. The Dremel also can clean up curves and notch out areas for special fittings.

Q. I've seen the epoxy paints that can be used on sinks and tubs. Can I paint my toilet to match the rest of the fixtures?

A. Most of these epoxy finishes for porcelain fixtures will work fine on toilets, as well as bathtubs and sinks. You want to follow the package directions exactly and make sure the fixture is properly prepared for the final finish. Also make sure to give it plenty of time to cure before using it. You should be very happy with the results. Be careful when cleaning the bowl afterward. Don't use any abrasive tools or cleaners.

Q. My outdoor lawn furniture is made of concrete, and the pieces get mold on them from being in the shade. I clean them off, but it just comes back. Is there a better way of dealing with them? What would you suggest?

A. You should be able to remove the mold with liquid laundry bleach. It must be completely removed, or it will just grow back. Then you can help prevent more mold and damage by applying a water seal over the entire surface. Reapply yearly as needed.

Q. I need to remove my old bathroom vanity to change a half-bath into a new closet. There will be a dressing table in front of the pipes, so they won't show, but I want to seal them up properly to prevent bad smells or water damage. What do I need to do?

A. You need to install caps over the supply lines and drain line. Turn the supply lines off and cap them, and then cap the drain line. If it's threaded, this will be easier, but if not, use the adhesive or solder required to make a permanent seal of the drain line. Check your local building codes to make sure you comply.

Reader tips

• After we installed a new vinyl floor in our kitchen, we placed one large scrap in the garage under our car. I put it there to keep oil off the garage floor but found that it had another use as well. I finally decided to fix the oil leak, and found that sliding under the car was much easier on top of the vinyl scrap. The smooth surface was much more comfortable than the concrete floor, and when I dropped the filter, the oil didn't get to the floor before I cleaned it up.

• I remember reading your column awhile back about covering a handsaw blade edge with a scrap of garden hose. The hose is cut to the length of the blade and then slit down the side. You slip it over the edge of the blade and hold it in place with rubber bands. It's a great way to protect the blade, and your hands. But it can be more. I put it over the top of the blade and used it to shield my hand as I applied some pressure to the top of the blade while I was cutting some wood. Much better on the hands than the top of the blade alone.

• I bought a storage rack for my garden tools, but it holds only about half of them. I drilled holes into the other handles and tied leather strips to these, and they are hung on the rack by these straps. Now I have twice the tools on just the one rack. I saved enough to buy a new shovel. I'm pretty happy about that. The rack does double duty, and my tools are just where they need to be.

• The chair rungs on our older breakfast-room furniture just won't stay in anymore. I have glued them several times, but they just won't hold for very long. This past weekend, I started to glue another one but tried something different. I wrapped the end of the dowel with a scrap of screen wire and then glued it. The screen wire made a much tighter fit. The chair feels so much more secure.

• I don't mind mowing the lawn. It gets bigger every year, but it looks so nice after I'm finished. One thing I don't like to do is go around and pick up the trash that seems to accumulate on the side of the house from the adjacent street. I keep a litter bag clipped to my mower handle and just pick it up as I'm mowing. It saves me time, and I don't mind doing it as much when I'm mowing at the same time.

Shoptalk

• Bosch has just come out with a combination bit for the common Phillips and the less common, but increasingly popular, Robertson screw heads. One series of bits works on both configurations, so it can be a real timesaver when working on a project. You'll find the new bits wherever Bosch tools and accessories are sold. If you would like to know more about these handy bits, visit the company's Web site, boschtools.com.

• Krylon's Fusion paint is made for plastics. The new Hammered Finish really looks super and can be used on PVC, resin and most other plastics, both indoors and out. It dries quickly and is fully chip-resistant after seven days. You also can use it on wrought iron, papier-mache, ceramic, wicker and hard vinyl. It's available in many popular hammered-metal finishes, like hammered copper and silver. To learn more or find a dealer near you, visit krylon.com.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' Web site at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2009, Cowles Syndicate Inc.