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If neither cleaning the trap nor plunging clears a plumbing clog, your final weapon is a drain auger (also known as a snake). This tool, a coiled steel wire usually about 1/4-inch thick with a handle on one end, works the opposite way that a plunger does: You push the snake into the clog and crank it to drive the snake farther into the obstruction.   While parts of the clog break up and flush through the drain, the snake helps you gain access to the clog so that you can pull it out. Some...

How to Service the Shower Head 1. Remove the Shower Head Make sure the shower faucet handle is fully in the OFF position. No water should dribble out of the showerhead. (If it does, jump to the next repair, "How to Replace the Shower Cartridge"). By hand, remove the showerhead by turning it counter-clockwise off the threaded end of the shower arm. If you need assistance, use a damp towel to grip the showerhead. In rare instances, it may be necessary to use channel-lock pliers to remove the...

Plunger Alternative: Start With Dish Soap Plunging a clogged toilet is no fun, but there’s a better way. To unclog a toilet without a plunger, head to the kitchen for some dish soap. The slippery soap should help lubricate the clogged pipe and allow the lodged debris to slide down more easily. Pour about a half-cup into the toilet. If you’re out of dish soap, chop a bar of hand soap into small chunks and drop the pieces into the toilet.   Add Hot Water If dish soap alone doesn’t do the trick,...