January 2007

Dear Craig,

I live in an 60-year-old house and the ventilation fan in the bathroom sounds a bit like an airplane - but it sure works well. The moisture from a shower is gone in a matter of minutes. Is it still ok? Quizzical in Quincy

Dear Quizzical,

If there is no strange odor and you don't mind the look of it or the noise, be glad it's still doing the job. At that age, however, it must be propeller driven (like a regular fan), so I recommend you vacuum the blades several times a year. Wear a mask so you don't breathe in the dropping dust. I would also have an electrician look at the wiring because that could really cause a big problem if it overheats (or a mouse starts to nibble on it).

However, if it was my house, I'd probably replace it because of all the above reasons. New ventilation fans have much higher energy-saving ratings. Here's what to know when you go out to buy a new one: The cubic-foot size of the room, the diameter of the existing ventilation pipe (unless you plan to replace it) and where the ventilation pipe exits the roof. A good salesperson will need to know all that information to help you choose the best model. You may also want it to have an attached light or heater.

There's a mathematical way to know what velocity a fan needs to have to exchange the air in a bathroom 8-10 times an hour. The store should know that, and if you're the type that needs to know that yourself, there are websites that can show you how to calculate it. Try web crawling for "bathroom ventilation calculations."

Dear Craig,

I've poured way too much drain cleaner down my bathtub in the last few months. The sewer line seems fine - what could be the trouble? Caustic in Columbus

Dear Caustic,

That stuff is dangerous, man. Who knows, maybe it can even change our DNA! I use it only after I've tried other methods. Here are a couple of suggestions:

The quickest is to get out the old plunger - it works on any kind of drain, you know. Seal the drain overflow opening with an old towel and plunge away. That works more frequently than you'd imagine. If that doesn't work, get where you can see the drain clearly. That may mean donning some chemical-safe rubber gloves and climbing in with a flashlight and a screwdriver. Access how to take out both the drain stopper, if there is one, or the whole drain system. If you can get any of it out, and that's sometimes a problem, check it carefully for deterioration. That drain cleaner stuff may have had part of it for lunch (it's that powerful sometimes).

Now here's where you have to decide what you should do next. I suggest a plumber if you're worried that the drain system is too complicated for your level of expertise. But, if you did get all or part of it out and it looks questionable after you've cleaned it, take it to a plumbing supply store and throw yourself on the mercy of one of its experts. That works particularly well for women, I've noted. You'll either be sold a new one or told what to do next. Take their advice.

When everything works once again, here's what I do to cut down on gunk in the drain. I put a fine screen inverted cup over the drain and clean it after every shower. You'd be surprised how much "stuff" washes off your body on a regular basis!

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