Some plumbing problems definitely call for pro-grade expertise, but fixing a water shut-off valve leak isn’t one of them.

Tighten the packing nut on the toilet shutoff valve one-eighth turn clockwise to try to seal a leak around the nut. Pro tip: Wrap cloth or masking tape on the plier’s jaws to protect the nut’s finish.

A running toilet isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a major waste of water. That constant hissing noise you're hearing means that excess water is leaking from the toilet tank into the bowl, and your utility ...

Q: My toilet is causing me fits. The water from the tank is slowly leaking into the bowl, and I can’t figure out why. I have replaced the flapper, but the problem persists. What else should I do? A: ...

The water shutoff valve is a device designed to shut off the water supply to your home, operated by turning a knob, handle or lever. Use it when you are planning to take care of a DIY plumbing job, ...

A couple of readers have offered suggestions for quieting rain-gutter noise with materials that cost less than a brand-name product designed for the task. The noise generally occurs in metal gutters ...