Simple fixes for the bath
This week’s cleaning features the bathroom, a room that we often place too much emphasis on cleanliness (not that there can ever too much) but often overlook simple fixer-uppers within the area.
› Unclog a faucet. If the water isn’t coming out the way it’s supposed to or used to, the probable cause is most likely the aerator. Its holes are probably plugged with mineral buildup. Close the drain stopper so smaller parts can’t fall through and then wrap duct tape around the pliers to avoid scratching the aerator. Unscrew the latter. Scrub good with an old toothbrush and rinse. Assuming particle residue still exists, soak the aerator parts in vinegar. Don’t stop here, though; clean your showerhead the same way. Or, if preferable, try this method: Fill a freezer bag with a half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar. Secure the bag over the showerhead with duct tape or a rubber band. Remove it every fifteen minutes to check the flow but watch carefully. Too much vinegar can damage finishes.
› Fix a loose towel bar. Remove the loose bar by taking out the screws on each of the posts that mount the bar to the wall. Now, the mounting plate is exposed; try tightening the screws in it. If this action doesn’t work, remove it to (hopefully) discover two plastic anchors underneath. Take a screwdriver, poke the anchors and let them fall. Replace these with bigger metal toggle anchors that you drive into the existing holes with a drill or screwdriver and then reattach everything. If loose hooks and toilet
paper holders are in the same condition, fix them the same way. By being your own handyman/woman, you’ll save at least $100 to hire someone professional.
› Install a low-flow showerhead. Reader’s Digest tells us if our houses were built before 1994 with the same plumbing fixtures, we’re using thirty to forty percent more water than a comparable new home. I was surprised to learn that as high as 70 percent of hot water flows through the showerhead which, obviously, means higher water and heating bills the hotter water we use. For just $15, we can buy a basic showerhead that can pay for itself in reduced water and heating costs after a single month. Calculate your own savings at epa.gov/watersense/ watersense-calculator. When buying, look for the Watersense logo; it means the showerhead uses at least 20 percent less water but still performs as well as or better than other products in that particular category.
› Watch that slow drain. A slow drain can easily turn into a cloggedup sink or tub, which also means a high-priced plumber visit. Why wait when you can fix the drain yourself and save that $100-plus fee? Fill the sink with three-four inches of water and use a plunger. If this doesn’t do the trick, snake the drain pipe with either a $35 “snake” or a metal hanger or a pipe-cleaning tool; buy the latter at a hardware store for about two bucks. To keep drains clog-free, mix together one cup baking soda, one cup salt and one cup cream of tartar. Store the mixture in an airtight, childproof container and pour one-half cup down each drain every few weeks, followed by boiling water.
(Final installment next week…)
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@ timesfreepress.com