Plumbing

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.

Remove an unsightly toilet bowl ring with a homemade cleaner. Hard water buildup can form stubborn toilet bowl stains that are very difficult to remove. Instead of spending a lot of money on commercial chemical cleaners try using some household items to make your own cleaner. Take a look at a few easy options for homemade cleaners to remove hard water stains in the toilet.

A sediment trap is a required but easily overlooked component of any gas appliance connection. The tee with a capped nipple that makes up a sediment trap provides a place for rust, dust, sediment and other debris to collect before it can enter the gas valve. It is required by code and recommended by water heater manufacturers. If you install a water heater without a properly installed sediment trap you could end up voiding the water heater warranty. So, take a look at your water heater to make sure you have a sediment trap in place and check that it is installed correctly.

When a puddle under the kitchen sink alerts you that the garbage disposer is leaking your first thought may be that you have to replace it. But wait, this isn't always the case. Depending on the source of the leak it may be possible to simply repair the disposer. The first thing to do is to identify where the leak is coming. If the disposal unit itself is sound but the gasket or flange is leaking these can be replaced. You can save quite a bit of money by repairing a leaking garbage disposer instead of replacing it whenever possible.

There are various reasons to replace a shower valve, not the least of which is safety. A shower valve that is not pressure balanced (or is pressure balanced but is no longer balancing) can be a safety hazard if the water heater is turned up too high.

A pressure balanced shower valve that is balancing correctly can ensure that the shower water doesn't fluctuate too much and possibly cause burns. Your new shower valve may even have an adjustable scald guard to keep the water temperature at safe levels even when the water heater is turned up high.

Having a filtered water and ice dispenser on a refrigerator can be very convenient but it comes at a price. The filter replacements can be pricy and the more water you use the more you'll spend. Fortunately there are ways to save when you replace a refrigerator water filter. You just need to do a little shopping around and planning to find the best deal for your refrigerator.

• Coupons and rebates - look online and in store flyers for coupons and rebates on replacement filters. Stock up when they are on sale so you don't have to pay retail later.
• Subscription service - sign up for a periodic replacement subscription from the manufacturer (if they offer it) or from Amazon or other online retailers.

The key is to buy filters at a discount before you need them so you aren't stuck having to pay retail when the time comes to replace a filter.

See more tips for saving on refrigerator water filters at ThreeThriftyGuys.com

Does your shower feel small and cramped? The width of a standard shower can feel too small, especially in a small bathroom. An easy way to avoid that claustrophobic feeling without knocking down walls in a remodel is to install a curved shower rod. The several inches of added space in the shower can really make a big difference.

Curved shower rods are easy and quick to install; they are functional and look great. Also, due to their popularity they are now readily available in many finishes so you can match your existing shower fixtures.