Something smells in shower drain

Q My shower drain occasionally has a musty smell, even though I keep the shower clean. What causes the smell, and what can I use to treat it?

A There are many possible causes for the smell.

The problem could be water that is standing in an area underneath the drain, said Jenny O'Brien of the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry. If the odor has a sewage tinge, there might be a cracked or rotted-out pipe in the wall, according to the Twin Cities plumbers union.

Other possibilities include an improperly installed drain, a faulty toilet wax ring in the same bathroom, a dead rodent behind the wall of the shower or biofilm that has gathered in the drainage system.

If you haven't done so, remove the strainer and use a brush to clean as far down the pipe as possible. If the odor persists, you're best off calling a plumber.

BILL WARD

Ashes are monitoredQ When a body is cremated and the ashes given to the family, are they getting all of the ashes of the deceased or only a portion of them?

The only caveat: "It's nearly impossible to remove every fragment of ash or dust from the crematory chamber," he said.

As a precaution, the chamber is swept clean after each cremation to ensure ashes from the next cremation won't be mixed with any from previous cremations.

BEN JONES

Covering carpet stainQ I spilled bleach on my green-brown carpet. Is there a dye I could use to restore the color, or what other type of cover-up do you suggest?

A Carpet can be dyed, but it's a job for an expert. If you want to try it yourself, visit www.bleachstains.com for information and do-it-yourself dye kits. A small carpet sample is needed to match the color; a kit costs about $100. It's also possible to patch a carpet, if there is some matching material available; this can sometimes be lifted from carpeting in a closet or other inconspicuous area. A patch of any size is best left to a skilled carpet installer. You should call several carpet companies and see if they can help. You can, of course, conceal the damaged area with a throw rug.