There's more than one way to remove a clog in your plumbing

Since the invention of the indoor toilet, we have come to take them for granted. But when they become clogged or won't flush, it's a big deal. Most of the time, you can fix them pretty easily. It just takes a little know-how, and we want to help with that.

If a toilet becomes clogged and is flushed, the first thing you need to do is shut off the water supply. Look for a shut-off under or behind the toilet, and turn the water off so the overflow will stop. If you don't have one, remove the top of the tank and hold the float valve up to shut it off at the valve. If all else fails, shut off the main water supply to the house.

A clog can be removed several different ways. A plunger or "plumber's friend" is a great tool to use. The base is flexible and fits over the drain hole in the toilet bowl. You push down and pull up, creating suction with the movement to help work the clog up or down. Wipe the edge of the plunger, where it seats in the bowl, with a little petroleum jelly for the best suction.

Another tool that can be used is a toilet auger. It is a "snake" made for toilets that is sent down the drain and rotated to dislodge a clog. Another approach is to remove the clog with a wet/dry shop vacuum. This obviously is messy, but it can remove a clog.

If you can't get to the clog through the bowl, you always can go through a clean-out plug. Some homes have several, and others don't have any. A clean-out plug simply is an access point on the outside of your home where you can get into the drain of your home to snake out a clog.

Don't forget that your drain system requires air in order to work. Your vent stacks or air vents are located on your roof, and you can send a snake down them to remove bugs, leaves or whatever is clogging them. You even can use a garden hose to flush a clog out of these.

DO NOT use chemicals to unclog a toilet. They can damage the surface or the seals, and create danger for you as you work with other methods.

Drill tip

Drilling to a particular depth might not be critical on some projects. But sometimes it does matter. You can buy drill stops, but you don't have to spend a lot of money to do the job. To save money, the easiest way to do this is to mark your drill bit at the point you wish to stop drilling. You can do this with a piece of masking tape. Just wrap the tape around the bit so that the bottom of the tape is right on the "stop" line. You can drill until the tape gets to the surface of the work, and then you will know to stop. It's easy to see, even when the bit is doing its thing.

Tray liner

A good paint tray is a must for using a paint roller. A plastic liner is an accessory to the tray that makes cleanup faster and will keep your tray in good shape. You can buy liners at your paint or hardware store, and they don't cost much. But if you are working and you don't have one, you easily can substitute a large trash bag. Just put the plastic bag into the tray, spread it out to remove most of the wrinkles and pour the paint into the tray. You can secure the bag with a twist-tie so it won't shift. When you have finished painting, you can remove the bag and dispose of it.

Super hint

• If you have a white dishwasher front and you want a black one, see if you can remove the front and turn it to the other side. Many times, appliances have reversible covers just for this purpose.

• Grain alcohol is a great way to remove mold spores when bleach is not an option. It will do the same job as bleach but without the bad fumes.

• Make your next family picnic greener. Use plastic glasses, eating utensils, plates and containers. Take it all home afterward and clean it to reuse. Use blankets or plastic tablecloths that can be cleaned. Before you leave, make sure the area is cleaner than it was when you got there.

Q. I have a beautiful wooden desk that is very old. It has held up really well, with the exception of a few scratches on the top surface. How can I cover or conceal these scratches?

A. We assume it's stained, and you can buy matching stain "pens" to cover the scratches. This is a very easy way to fill in and color scratches. You can buy the pens in a variety of colors and mix two if you have a stain that's hard to match. It might be a good idea to spray on a coat of polyurethane to protect it. You also could have glass or clear plastic cut to fit and cover the surface.

Q. I have a seam in my kitchen floor near the center of the room. It's vinyl flooring. It's been in place for years but now is starting to peel in the center. How can I glue it back down?

A. They make a seam-sealing kit that you can buy at flooring stores, hardware stores and home centers. It has everything you need to reseal the seam. Then you need to put weight on it to keep it from curling back up until the sealer has set.

Q. We have added insulation to our attic, and now find that the humidity level has gone up. I'm sure it isn't good for it to be high. How do we combat this new problem?

A. You did the right thing by adding insulation. That is very important, so don't feel bad about that. You can add more ventilation to get rid of some of the humidity. Make sure the insulation isn't covering up some of your soffit vents. If you need more, add them. Make sure you have enough rooftop ventilation from ridge vents, wind turbines or power vents.

Reader tips

• My friends tell me that I am the Queen of Stain Removal. I don't know about that, but with four kids, I do have some great tips for removing all sorts of stains. Here are a few of my favorites. First of all, never wash the item until you have removed the stain completely. I also recommend blotting over scrubbing. It's a good idea to treat the stain from the back side before working on the front side of the fabric. Ink is really easy to get out with alcohol of some kind.

• I bought a box of small flashlights to place in several key locations for emergencies in our home. As an added precaution, I put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the battery terminals to keep them from corroding. Then I put fresh batteries in each one and let the family know where they all are. You never know when you might need one.

• I don't know how it works, but I heard you can put Kool-Aid in your dishwasher and it will clean it out. Of course, you don't put dishes in this load, just the powdered drink mix. I tried it. It actually works. My dishwasher is completely free of mineral deposits now, and the inside walls look brand new again.

• I ran across a box of books in the basement that had gotten wet. Most were ruined, but I did rescue a few that I thought I could save. The ones that were damp were put in the microwave to dry. This works quite well if you are careful. Just put them in for a couple of minutes at a time, and they eventually will get dry. Open the door to the microwave when it's off to allow the moisture to escape. After the books come out, put heavy weights on them to flatten them again.

• We have a swinging kitchen door. It's old, so it's not moving as freely as it used to, but who is? It was sticking in one place, but I couldn't figure out exactly where, so I put a piece of old carbon paper on the jamb and closed the door. Then it was obvious exactly where I needed to sand. I did, and the door is swinging freely again. I just have to be careful not to be going in while my wife is coming out!

Shop talk

• A new option in decking materials is available this spring. Latitudes Deck Stones can be incorporated into existing decks or new installations. The high-strength fiberglass substrate attaches easily to joists on 16-inch centers, and can support standard building loads. The top surface is a natural smoke slate or a riverstone granite surface. The deck stone tiles are 16 inches square, and interlock for a secure fit. Just think of the great looks you can get with these rock tiles on your deck. To find out more, see the Deck Stones or find a dealer in your neck of the woods, go to www.latitudesdeck.com.

• You can buy colored sealant/caulk, but the options are very limited, like white, gray or beige. But now you can buy eXact Color Caulk by Sashco and tint it to match your decor exactly. Just use the same latex paint that you are using to paint your walls to tint it. It also works with water-based solid stain or any universal pigments. It's easy to tint, apply and clean up after. It offers great adhesion, too. It won't crack or tear. Find it at paint stores, hardware stores and home centers. To find out more, visit www.sashco.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.

© 2010, Cowles Syndicate Inc.