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It is sealing putty used for a variety of tasks including to seal basket strainers, garbage disposal rims and tub drains.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Going "green" in our everyday lives is all the rage these days. From CFL bulbs to organic cotton T-shirts, it seems everyone has some skin in the eco-game. Your family - and in particular your home - should be no different. Below are 15 easy do-it-yourself projects that will save you money, reduce your environmental footprint and have you playing your eco-part in no time.

1. As the cost of energy continues to rise, there is a way to lower your electric bills. Compact florescent light bulbs, or CFLs, use up to 66 percent less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs and can last up to five years. Replacing the five most-used bulbs in your home can save you up to $60 a year on your electric bill.
2. Your water heater can do a better job keeping the water in the tank hot if you buy it a jacket. Insulating jackets can be installed on most conventional water heaters and reduce the number of times a water heater "fires" during standby. In fact, 20 percent of your energy cost to heat water is used up during standby!
3. Fix that leak! Did you know that a dripping faucet or leaking toilet can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day? Repairing these leaks takes just a little time, and a small investment for the parts needed. The payback - both in dollars and for the environment - is huge!
4. Adding a rain barrel to your drainage system can help you capture some of the water Mother Nature sends us during rain showers. A 1,000 square foot roof can shed up to 650 gallons of water during a 1-inch rainfall. By placing a rain barrel under a down spout, you can use this water for your lawn, garden or even a car wash.
5. Plant a tree and reduce the carbon footprint of your home. To counteract the footprint from the use of electricity and natural gas or oil in the average American home, you would need to plant 42 trees... while that's a lot of green, start slowly to help shade your home and absorb carbon dioxide from the air.
6. Using a ceiling fan can not only help you feel more comfortable in your home, both in the winter and the summer, it can also help to lower your energy bills. By circulating the air in your home, your furnace and air conditioner will run less, which means savings for you.
7. Cutting your lawn just got a lot greener with Earth-friendly mowers. Gas-powered mowers are terrific for larger lawns, but if you have a smaller space to take care of, an electric or new cordless mower can do the trick, and with no fuel or harmful emissions. Mother Nature will thank you!
8. Composting is a great way to reduce your waste and your impact on landfills. By collecting and placing compostable materials in a collection bin, you can create a super-charged natural fertilizer for your garden.
9. Natural cleaning products have come a long way. You now have a choice to use products that lessen their impact on the environment. Many of these new cleaning items have natural ingredients and use less water during shipping to reduce fuel use.
10. Tankless water heaters are here to stay, and are a viable choice when it comes to installing a new water heater in your home. Standby energy use is completely eliminated, and you will never run out of hot water from a properly-sized unit!
11. Reduce your usage. How many cups of water do you boil for a cup of tea? Do you leave the TV or lights on when you leave the room? Does the water run from the faucet when you brush your teeth? These small changes in your lifestyle can make a difference for all of us!
12. Did you know that almost 25 percent of water used in the home is for showers, and each member of a family of four taking a 5-minute shower can use up to 700 gallons a day? By installing low-flow shower heads, you can reduce that use by almost half, and with new technology, still feel a brisk force from the water.
13. Stop all the leaks in your home! Drafty windows and doors can greatly raise your energy consumption. According to the EPA, if you caulk or seal those air leaks with weatherstripping, you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,000 pounds a year.
14. Let the sun shine! Not only will it brighten your mood, it will keep you from flipping the switch. In the colder months, the rays from the sun can help to heat your home, and the best part of this tip: it's absolutely free!
15. Your indoor air is three times more polluted than the outdoor air. While painting is a great way to liven up your living environment, make sure you are not harming it during the process. Low VOC or zero VOC paints work just as well and are a great choice for those with allergies, asthma or homes with young children.

You can liquefy both hair and grease in less than 60 seconds with odorless Insta-Flo drain cleaner. It’s non-acid formula won’t harm fine fixtures, porcelain, chrome trim, polished brass, plastic or metal pipes so it is ideal for showers, bathroom sinks, grease traps, septic systems and sewer lines.

Is it a really tough clog?
Enlist the help of enzymes with Enforcer Drain Care. Instead of caustic chemicals, the enzymes in Enforcer Drain Care will slowly clear the blockage away. Mix Enforcer Drain Care with a cup of warm water and pour it down the drain. Leave it overnight. You may have to do this three or more times for best results.

Still struggling?
Consider the Power Plumber Pressurized Drain Opener. This tool attacks the clog instantly without harming your pipes. No harsh chemicals, acids or lye and ideal for drains, sinks and toilets. You also may need to take drastic measures and get out the Plumbing Snake. The snake is kind to PVC but cruel to clogs. Embrace the oncoming mess with goggles and gloves.

First, you’ll need to remove the old caulk using a utility knife. Cut along the bottom of the caulk nearest the tub, then cut the top along the tile. This won’t get all of the caulk, but you should be able to remove the majority.

Once you’ve pulled off the caulk, spread silicon caulk remover along the seam where you removed the caulk, along with any spots of caulk that you see outside of that seam.

Leave it for a few hours and then use a putty knife to go back and remove the rest of the caulk.

Wash your tub and then use rubbing alcohol to wipe down the seams where you removed the caulk. This will kill any residual mildew or mold.

Once it’s completely dry, run painter’s tape along the edges of the tub and wall, leaving room for your new caulk line – about ¼” from the seam on the wall and the tub.

Now fill your tub with water so that the weight of the water slightly separates the tub from the wall. This separation is minimal, but it’s normal. It occurs every time you fill the tub. And by filling the tub before you caulk, it means any stretching and cracking due to this separation will be minimal.

Caulk one line of the tub at a time. Start in one inside corner and caulk to the other inside corner of the tub along the back wall. After that, caulk from one corner to the outside of the tub. Repeat on the other side of the tub. For each caulk line, get your fingers damp and smooth out the caulk lines you’ve just applied. After 15 minutes, remove the painter’s tape.

Drain the tub. Then let the caulk dry for at least 24 hours before you use the tub.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

The holidays brought housefuls of people to our homes - and often plumbing problems produced by the volume of food, waste and, in particular, items disposed not suitable for pipes or flushing. Now that the hullabaloo has died down, it's time to fix those plumbing woes. By taking stock in a few key tools and tips and gaining some basic plumbing knowledge, you can avoid having to call a plumber and save a few of those already tight, post-holiday dollars.

Know your pipes' limits

Knowing how your plumbing works will help you to better diagnose a problem and either solve it yourself or resort to calling a professional, if necessary. Invest in a do-it-yourself book on plumbing to help "un-complicate" your home's plumbing system.

Use the correct tools

A good plunger is a must for both toilets and sinks, and should be tried and exhausted before resorting to other means. A plunger will unplug most clogs, especially in the toilet, but there is a right way to use one: When plunging, compress the plunger slowly, then pull it vigorously toward you on the upstroke. This draws the clog upward.

Snakes are suitable

If the plunger isn't doing the trick, another option to try is a snake. Made of bendable steel, a snake is maneuvered into a drain with a crank handle that can sometimes be attached to a power drill. It can reach clogs up to 25 feet away and break them apart with a gentle twist or tug. While this may sound like advanced plumbing, a snake is extremely easy to use and will cost you about $30.

Use caution with chemicals

If elbow grease and conventional methods aren't solving the problem, you may need to try a drain-clearing chemical. Most drain-clearing chemicals are made for hair and grease, but will do the trick on that slow-moving kitchen sink Just be careful not to get hurt when you use them and keep them away from children. Follow the instructions on the bottle exactly to avoid damaging the pipes.

Turn to a plumbing pro

Some plumbing problems are caused by a bigger, more complex issue, so if your efforts aren't making things any better, calling a pro is the next best route. A good plumber should be able to identify the problem and take the necessary course of action. Check your local phone listing for plumbers in your area and be sure to ask questions about licensing, insurance, fee structure and experience when you call.

Credit:  Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware