The faucet on the bathroom sink may well be the single most used item in the bath. And it is taken for granted that the faucet will do what it is supposed to do: Turn the water on and off. But, beyond that, a faucet is a focal point that draws the eye of anyone who looks at the sink. It can also be an eyesore or a nuisance, if the finish is peeling and water drips continuously from the spout.

If any of your current bathroom faucets fall into that category, new faucets for all the fixtures can go a long way toward dressing up the bath and ending the aggravation of leaks and drips. It pays to shop for a new faucet carefully, because if you don’t, you may be forced to replace the replacement sooner than you would like.

Typically, a faucet is replaced about once every seven years. About half the faucets are replaced because the homeowner wants a new style. The others are replaced because they no longer work properly, or because the finish is pitted or peeling.

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A clogged sink drain can happen to anyone, anytime (usually just before company arrives) and isn’t much fun! There are a few basic steps you should follow to get the drain unclogged.

Don’t start with a chemical drain opener. This might seem like the easiest way to tackle a clogged drain but the fact is, most chemicals strong enough to take on a clog can do a heck of a lot of damage to your hands, face or whatever they come in contact with, so try your other options first.

A plunger, commonly called a plumber’s friend, can often clear up the problem. Plug up the overflow hole if there is one. If you’re working on a double sink, block the other drain with a stopper or wet rag for more suction power. A thin layer of petroleum jelly around the base of the rubber plunger will also help give you a tighter fit and better suction power.

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In typical fashion, it was a Sunday morning when the faucet in our kitchen began dripping  relentlessly, bringing with it the unnerving and unending sound of water dripping into a  stainless steel sink. The incident served only to remind me that when things go wrong  around the home it’s usually at an inopportune time.

Being Sunday, the stores in our neighborhood were closed and had the situation warranted  it, professional help would have cost a bundle. Fortunately, many repairs like this and  others that involve plumbing are simple, straightforward and easy to do yourself if you  go about them in a logical fashion.

As in many homes nowadays, our kitchen sink is a washerless ball faucet with one handle  that mixes the hot and cold water supply. Just like other faucets, the first thing to do  when making a repair is to turn off the water supply. This is usually done directly under  the sink by closing the fixture’s shut-off valve. Then simply open the faucet to drain  the pipes.

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As with most homeowners, you probably only think about your water heater when there is no hot water for your shower or you notice a puddle underneath the water heater. Whatever the reason, when it is time to buy a water heater, consider electric ones because they offer features that ensure a long life and an economical supply of hot water.

One great feature of many types of electric water heaters is a non-metallic storage tank. Manufacturers of these tanks warranty them against leakage, eliminating a major cause of early water-heater failure. And if you live in an area with corrosive water, you’ll find this feature to be especially cost effective.

Another factor to look for when you’re shopping for a new electric water heater is the amount of built-in insulation it offers. Although this type of water heater generally costs more than one with minimal insulation, you’ll be saving money in the long run by reducing the amount of electricity needed to keep the water hot.

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