By ED DEL GRANDE, HGTVPro.com

Q: Dear Ed: My husband and I have been planning for years to sell our home. But, recently we decided it's best to stay put and use the money to update it. That means that I can put a little extra into the master bathroom area.

Q: I'm changing out my plumbing fixtures in my master bathroom. It's a pretty nice bathroom, and I want to make it extra special by installing fancy decorated (painted-type) lav sinks. What types of sinks are available when you get into the decorative fixtures? Will I have to limit my style choices? -- Frank, New York.

Q: Ed, I read your column weekly, and thanks for all the free information you have given us over the years. Now, I could use more of that information for my new kitchen. We plan on installing a farmhouse-style sink with the apron front. I think that an old-looking-style "bridge" faucet would look great on that sink. But my husband wants to stay with a more modern-looking faucet.

Q: Hi, Ed. I have a plumbing question, so I thought I'd ask my favorite plumber!

Q: I enjoyed your column a few weeks back about installing a "rain" type of showerhead. While this sounds like something I'd enjoy, for a dog owner like myself there is an issue. Even though approved rain showerheads meet the water-use limits and standards, the wider area of spray would soak me while I'm trying to rinse off the dog.

Q: I enjoy your column and over the summer I found your story on standby generators interesting. But I did not follow through on your recommendation to look into them further, especially if your house has a sump pump to control basement water.

Q: My husband and I are looking into getting rid of an old toilet that came with our house. My husband will be installing the new toilet, and he's a good handyman. But we have a question: Should we go with a one-piece or a two-piece toilet? Is one better than the other, and what should we consider when choosing? Thanks in advance! -- Cindy, New Jersey.

Q: Ed, thanks for such an easy-reading and informative plumbing column. We're planning a gut job of our present bathroom and have heard that we should install a "rain" type of showerhead for the shower stall. Can you please explain the difference between a regular showerhead and a rain showerhead? Thanks; this will help us decide. -- Sharon, Tennessee.

Dear Ed: I enjoy your passion for saving water and I'm ready to start upgrading my plumbing fixtures to be more efficient so I can lower my water bill. Can you give me some guidelines to get started? Please keep in mind that right now I'm on a fixed budget. -- Brenda, New Jersey

A: I have the perfect project for you to consider.

Q: Hi Ed: My husband and I can't agree about whether to use a smooth pumice stone to remove the mineral deposits ringing the inside of our toilet bowl.
He says it can cause a problem by roughing up the glaze, which would give the minerals a place to cling to the surface of the bowl. I say the porcelain is nice and smooth after I clean it with the pumice, and it does clean the bowl.