A toilet stoppage is probably the most common of all drain stoppages in the home. So, it's fairly safe to say that everyone should know how to unclog a toilet.

Most often a plunger can be used to unclog a blocked toilet very effectively. Unfortunately, in some cases a plunger cannot clear the stoppage. But don't worry, there are other methods for clearing a blocked toilet that don't involve calling a plumber. Take a look here.

A clean pipe is crucial when making copper pipe joints. Whether you are soldering a joint or using a push fit fitting the pipe needs to be clean and the fitting needs to be clean to make good contact. That is where sand cloth comes.

Use sand cloth to clean the end of a pipe before putting the fitting on. Sand cloth can also be used to clean the inside of a fitting if you don't have a fitting brush. Sand cloth is a definite must have soldering tool.

When deciding on the right water softener system for your home don't forget to consider local regulations and the upkeep of the system. In some areas of the country there are regulations that restrict or even ban the installation of some types of water softeners. Concerns about water conservation and the salt levels of waste water produced during the recharge cycle of salt based ion exchange systems are at the root of these restrictions. So, don't forget to find out whether restrictions apply before you buy a system.

The other thing to consider is the upkeep that will be required. Specifically, the salt that will be used for a salt-based system. There are several options when it comes to buying salt for your water softener. The type you buy will depend on the system and on personal preference. Sodium chloride salt is fairly inexpensive but may not be right for you if you plan on drinking softened water and you are concerned about the added sodium. Potassium chloride is a better option for drinking water and is easier on the environment but it is more expensive so will result in a higher operating cost of the system.

A dishwasher that doesn't drain properly can make a terrible mess (usually when you aren't at home to catch it right away). There are a few different problems that can cause a dishwasher to drain out of the air gap or not drain at all. If you've recently installed a new dishwasher the first thing to check is the drain hose. A dishwasher drain hose doesn't have to be completely sealed off by a kink to prevent proper draining. Even a slight bend in the hose (see photo) can become clogged and result in improper draining. So, take care to avoid kinking the hose when making a dishwasher drain connection.

If it isn't the drain hose take a look at other reasons your dishwasher may not be draining here.