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Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Because it s one of the things we use the most, there are lots of reasons to replace an older toilet. Even if you don t mind that outdated shade of avocado, you re probably paying for twice the water you need for each flush and Old Faithful will inevitably fail when you least expect it. But never fear: Toilet replacement is usually a simple job for the do-it-yourselfer with basic skills. Here s how: First, close the water supply valve, then flush, bail and use a sponge to completely empty the toilet and tank. Uncap and remove the nuts from the base of the toilet. Then, detach the water supply line, starting with the tank end. If your toilet is a real antique, you may need to unbolt the tank from the bowl. Lift the old toilet off its bolts and check that the waste line is still attached to the floor flange. Make sure to repair any water damage to the subfloor. Clean out the remains of the old wax ring. And don t scrimp on a new one because that wax ring is what seals and stabilizes your toilet. Then follow the manufacturer s instructions to install your new water-saving toilet. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. We all know that life would be very different without that wonder of modern science: the toilet. But when it acts up, we also know life can get pretty complicated in a hurry. Don t wait until you have a houseful of guests to get prepared. Homeowners should own a full-sized plunger, an auger, a bucket and some rubber gloves. In the event of a clog that s overflowing the toilet, shut off the water intake valve underneath the tank, then remove half the water from the bowl before plunging the drain opening rapidly several times. If the water goes down, plunge once more for good measure before turning the water back on and flushing. If plunging doesn t work, the auger will. Cranking clockwise, feed the auger into the drain until it tightens at the clog; reverse a bit, then continue down as far as it ll go, and pull the whole thing up at once. Remove that matchbox car that junior s been missing along with any other debris, and plunge again before you flush, just in case. As always, being prepared with the right tools can save the day! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008