Save money and time with these tips for your irrigation system

During the average summer, most of us have to water our lawns and plants. In some parts of the country, this gets a little tricky, with watering restrictions in place.

If you are lucky enough to have an automatic irrigation system, then it gets a little easier - you can set your timer to do it for you. Of course, there are some basic things you should do to maintain that convenience. Here are some hints and tips for using your irrigation system and maybe saving some water at the same time.

First of all, set up your control box properly. If you don't have a manual for it, go online and get one from the manufacturer. A backup battery is a good thing to have in place in case the power goes off and your settings change. Place some empty tuna or cat food cans around your yard and activate the system. See if you need to water less or more in some locations. Remember, it's better to water deeply and thoroughly less often than just a little bit every day.

Next, take the time to test your system and make sure the heads are putting water where you need it and not on the sidewalk or driveway. Most heads are easy to adjust. They can be repositioned by turning them. The sprayers can be cleaned out by removing them and cleaning out the strainers inside. If you need to replace a head, look for one that is a newer, water-saving type. Make sure you purchase one that fits your area.

As your landscape changes over time, you need to adjust your heads. Risers can be added to reach higher up as your shrubs grow, and some heads might need to be replaced or moved.

If you don't have a rain sensor, add one. They are easy to install and will prevent your system from turning on in the middle of a rainy day. It's the law in some communities. There also are moisture sensors that can be added so your system will water only when the soil dries out.

Drip systems are a very effective way to water, and some people are going to that type of system instead of the standard spray system.

If you think you might have a leak, by all means, have your system inspected. The sooner you correct a problem, the sooner you will start saving money on your water bill and doing your part to conserve water.

Store more with pegboard

Storage cabinets are really nice in both the shop and the home. But you can make them even better by replacing the standard doors with pegboard. By cutting the pegboard to fit and installing hinges and door pulls, you can replace the regular door with pegboard. Add some hooks and holders to the pegboard, and you can store lots of tools right on the door. This makes for easy access and quick tool storage.

Customized shop vac

• Customizing things can help provide you with features that were not part of the original product. Most shop and home vacs are pretty basic. But you can customize yours to make it really handy. For example, if it isn't on wheels, add some. You can set it on a rolling plant stand with wheels and then just roll it where you want it. Add a base of wood to the stand and install dowel rods. Now you have a place to store all of the tools and accessories that a good vacuum needs.

Super hints

If you want to prevent kids or thieves from being able to plug in your power tools, just install small, inexpensive suitcase locks right in the plugs. Some plugs have small holes in the prongs, and the tops of these small locks will fit right through one of these holes, making them impossible to plug in.

• Paint thinner is a great way to clean brushes and other tools after painting, and you can recycle it. When you have finished using it, pour it back into the container through a coffee filter set into a funnel. The coffee filter will trap the paint but let the solvent through.

• If you are storing mirrors in your basement, attic or closet, why not put them to good use? Instead of having them just sit around, hang them up on the wall or ceiling to reflect more light into the space. You can use less light to see inside the area, and you will get them up off the floor at the same time.

Q. The grout in my shower has mold and mildew on it. I've tried scrubbing it, but it just won't stay clean. Can you help?

A. Bleach is your best defense against mold and mildew. Grout can be hard to clean, so make a paste of bleach and baking soda, and smear it over the moldy spots to give it extra time to work. Once it's clean, use a grout sealer to protect it from future mildew. It must be completely clean before you seal it, though.

Q. My dishwasher just doesn't seem to be draining very well anymore. It has gradually gotten worse over time. What should I check?

A. First check the drain hose under the sink to make sure it hasn't become kinked. Then check the drain inside the dishwasher to make sure there isn't something like plastic or food that is blocking the drain holes. Next, get into it and check the actual drain pump to make sure it is still functioning. It might be time to replace it.

Q. Our garage is unfinished at this point, but we plan to put up drywall and finish it out to make it more of a game room. What would you recommend for the flooring?

A. You can use a garage-floor paint to jazz it up. There also are some nice flooring materials that you can install over a concrete floor. Some are glued down, and others snap together to form a nice surface. If you are going to be parking your car there still, you must get something that can take the weight, heat and chemicals involved with your vehicle. Check home centers for your options.

Reader tips

• It seems like we are always replacing our shower curtains. The holes tear out often, and we have never found a good way to repair them, so we just end up replacing them every six months or so. I have found that I can use old ones in the yard and shop for all sorts of things. They are great to cover plants with if you are spraying chemicals outdoors, and they make great dropcloths for paint projects. I even used them to cover my barbecue grill during a hailstorm this past spring. They fold up easily and store almost anywhere, too.

• We have installed several dimmer switches around our home to help cut down on our electrical usage. I really like them, and they were easy to install. I have one in my office, kitchen and living room. I also installed motion-activated switches in the bathrooms. The lights automatically come on when you enter the bathroom and shut off just after you leave. Again, they were easy to install and work great.

• I have to do most of the work around my home, and I actually enjoy doing it. I have had trouble sawing, though, when I have to cut off a tree branch. I found that if I lubricate the saw blade with a bar of soap, it cuts much easier. The soap helps keep the blade from sticking and binding to the wet sap coming from the tree. Plus, the soap doesn't harm the tree - in fact, I've heard that it actually might help protect it from infections as it heals up.

• I had been working on a wooden bench made from pecan that I bought from a neighbor. I love the smell and look of the wood. I saved some of the woods scraps and actually used them in my meat smoker. The flavor was terrific. The pecan wood really added a lot to the taste of the meat. From now on, when I am working with woods like this, I will save the scraps to use in my smoker.

• Our family is into biking, and we have a local bike store that we trade with a lot. I have found that the grips they sell for bikes are great for lawn and garden tools like rakes, shovels, mowers and other things with "handlebars." They come in a variety of sizes, are easy to install and are much more comfortable and easier to use than gloves.

Shop talk

• If you have dogs that like to swim in your pool, then you probably have worried about them getting out safely. Even if they don't swim, they could fall in and have trouble getting out. We ran across the Skamper-Ramp, which could be a super solution to that problem. It's a plastic ramp that has holes cut in the surface for traction. It attaches to the side of the pool deck and floats in the water. Your pet easily can grab hold of the ramp and walk up it. It looks easy to install, and there is even one made for large dogs. To find out more about the Skamper-Ramp, visit the company online at www.sunenterprises.com.

• The new Litheon Flashlight from Bosch has some great features. It uses an LED bulb - the longest-lasting, brightest bulb around - a rechargeable Litheon battery that will run for more than seven hours on a single charge, and a small, lightweight case. LED bulbs like this one will last around five years, and the battery can be fully recharged in only 30 minutes. If you are in the market for a new flashlight, check it out at your home center or hardware store. If you need additional information, visit Bosch online at www.boschtools.com or call them at (877) 267-2499.

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

© 2008, Cowles Syndicate Inc.