QUESTION: I have a leak coming from my bathroom. The plumber said the lead drains in the bathroom should be replaced, at a cost of $1,800. The drain taps coming from the vanity and tub are the ones needing replacing. To do this, a part of the bathroom floor needs to be ripped out. The floor is mosaic tile.What's the best way to remove these tiles? And do you know what kind of taps I would be looking at if I tried this myself?ANSWER: I'd get a couple of additional estimates, because $1,800 sounds a bit pricey. I don't know what's involved in the work, though; you need to ask for a breakdown of the estimate before you hire someone. But don't try to fix the problem yourself. This kind of plumbing is best left to plumbers, since the potential for messing up the drainage is high.There's no easy way to remove the mosaic tile if you want to save it. I recently saw a woman sitting in a doorway on Fourth Street near Lombard using a screwdriver and a hammer to chisel away at mosaic tile. I don't recommend a screwdriver — a cold chisel is what you use. And safety glasses are a must, because a stray chip of tile or some dust could get in your eye and cause problems.Is there any way a plumber could reach the drains through the ceiling below the bathroom? That way, you wouldn't have to ruin the tile, which, if the house is old, will not be easy to replace.Have questions for Alan J. Heavens? E-mail him at aheavensphillynews.com or write him at The Inquirer, Box 8263, Philadelphia 19101.

———Q: We have converted a 1950s home into a business. We are required by our city to make our monument sign partially match the blond brick. Any clues on where to find brick to match?A: Probably at a salvage yard or online. You might look in the older parts of your city or state for working brickyards that might have a supply.———Q: About 20 of the porcelain tiles in the shower area of my bathroom have become discolored. They are tinged black, and they cannot be cleaned. It affects tile in different parts of the shower area, but only a few in each spot. Any idea what is causing this?A: My instinct tells me it's mildew, but the few-tiles-in-each-spot thing makes me not so sure, unless the water hits those areas hardest or those are the spots where water never dries. Regular cleaning should get rid of the mildew. There are a host of tile and grout cleaners on the market. Some work better than others. You need to experiment. The problem with bathroom tile — showers, floors and walls — is that we often defer cleaning them for so long that they discolor, and brightening them can be a chore. I'd start now and keep up with it.QUESTION: There are squirrels in our attic. I tried to find out how they were getting in, but couldn't. I climbed on a ladder to take a look at the roof, but I did not see a hole or a piece missing, unless the hole is on the very tip of the roof and out of sight. Is it possible they could be crawling up the gutter?ANSWER: I've seen raccoons crawling up downspouts into holes in facing boards, and I wouldn't put it past squirrels to be able to do the same. Their heads can fit into the tiniest holes, and their bodies follow suit.Getting the squirrels out could be tough, because they consider your house their space now. But this is the best time to make your move, when summertime temperatures are unlikely to make the attic a hospitable spot for visiting wildlife. I recommend hiring a professional to set traps, locate points of entry, and make sure the critters have a tough time getting in again.Will you be able to deter the squirrels forever? The test will come when cold weather sets in, around October. Potential access points must be sealed before then.——————(c) 2006, The Philadelphia Inquirer.Visit Philadelphia Online, the Inquirer's World Wide Web site, at http://www.philly.com/Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.