Paying attention will help prevent water damage

Dear Readers: Water leaks often start gradually, and if you look closely, you'll find telltale signs -- let us hope before any major, expensive damage has happened. Here are some things to look for:
UIs there any staining on the ceiling, walls or floors? This is a good sign of a roof or plumbing leak.
UCheck for small plumbing leaks under the sink and in and around the commode.
UReplace worn or cracked caulk so that water can't seep into the walls.
UMake sure hoses to the dishwasher, washing machine and ice maker are securely fastened and free of leaks.
UInspect the water heater regularly. Most have a life of about 13 years.
Remember, check the above on a regular basis to help prevent, and in some cases possibly interrupt, a water catastrophe! Heloise
Dear Heloise: When you get an item to put on the wall that has two holes for the screws or nails to fit in, take a piece of paper and make a rubbing on the back of the item. Then put the rubbing on the wall and mark the places where the screws have to go. It works every time. A reader, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: After being shocked by the amount of a bid to have leaf-free gutters installed on my home, I proceeded to purchase a roll of fine screen (the same screen you would put on a screen door). I cleaned out the gutters with a garden hose, then cut and rolled screen to fit inside the gutters -- the screen unrolls itself to fit snugly inside.
No more cleaning gutters for me. Frank Aiello, North Little Rock, Ark.
Dear Heloise: Just had to tell you about my latest recycling idea! A golf-bag carrier can be used in the garden, the garage or anywhere, I've discovered! They are inexpensive at secondhand stores and come in handy for hauling stuff around my property. I added a small square of plywood in the bottom as a platform and use it to haul tools and garden supplies -- it even has a place for weed killer and bug spray. Lilly Aguilera, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: In addition to lining the "floor" under the sink with tile, etc., I have three boxes there. Two are very sturdy boxes that I put my cleaners, etc., in. When I want something, I just slide the boxes out and can reach everything. The box in the middle section is for "soft" items -- scrubbers, cloths -- and it fits nicely under the pipes. Jennifer Goodwin, via e-mail
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