Q.Our beautiful new fiberglass tub/shower unit has a golf-ball-sized chip in the surface from when my husband knocked the towel bar into the tub. Nothing leaks, so it's pretty much cosmetic. How do we get it to look pretty again?

A. First, make sure that the new towel bar is properly anchored to the wall with approved wall shields or, better yet, see if you can anchor it directly into a stud. If you don't hang the towel bar properly, this may happen again.

Now back to the chip in the tub. The good news is that most fiberglass tubs are made pretty much from the same materials you may find in a fiberglass boat. Except the principles of the two vessels are a little different: A boat keeps water out, and a tub keeps water in.

I say this is good news, because this usually means that most chipped fiberglass tubs can be repaired with a simple boat-repair kit that you can find at any good marine-supply store. I've made many fiberglass boat and tub repairs with these types of kits and they are easy to work with. Just follow the instructions that come with your type of kit.

Basically, the kit will include a two-step epoxy putty that you mix up, then pigment colors can be added to match the tub or hull. Once applied to the chipped area, smooth it out and let it cure. When cured, wet-sand it to match the existing surface.

A couple of quick notes: First, don't expect an ''exact'' color match even if the tub is white. Second, this is for surface damage only. If you have a hole or structural damage, an expert needs to be called in to make the proper repairs.

Q. I'm looking to buy a house and located one that I love. But the inspector found that it has a well with very stinky sulfur water, and testing showed other issues of concern. I still have hope for this home. Any advice?

A. Clean, safe, potable water is one of the most important things that a house must have. You need to listen to the recommendations of your real estate agent and home inspector to see if it's possible to have these problems corrected before you sign. That's why we have licensed agents and inspectors, so we don't get ourselves into a bad deal.

You may also contact a real estate lawyer for advice. With a lawyer's help, you, your agents and the present owner may be able to reach an agreement and make the sale pending as long as the water problems can be corrected by the present owner before the actual sale. This way, if the house does not pass the water test after the corrections, you may have the option of backing out.

Bottom line: Don't blindly jump into the ''deep end'' when buying a house that has water issues.

Visit Ed the Plumber's Web site, www.eddelgrande.com, or send e-mail to: eddelgrande.@hgtvpro.com.

Scripps Howard News Service