Dripping shutoff valves can leave puddles of water on the bathroom floor. This quick DIY fix is something even a novice can handle.
The plumbing supply shutoff valves behind toilets or under sinks can go for years without being turned off and then reopened again. That inactivity can cause the neoprene washers to become brittle or crusted up with mineral deposits, and they lose their ability to seal leaks.
1. Tighten the packing nut on the toilet shutoff valve one-eighth turn clockwise to try to seal a leak around the nut. Wrap cloth or masking tape on the pliers’ jaws to protect the nut’s finish. Use light, steady pressure so you don’t damage the water lines.
If the neoprene washers are still flexible and clean, this should work to stop the leak.
2. If the leak persists, disassemble the shutoff valve. Turn off the house water main. Leave the toilet and supply lines intact. Unscrew the handle, the packing nut and the threaded valve stem. Clean the washers with a cloth and flex the neoprene to try to get it supple again. Avoid gumming up the inside of the shutoff valve; don’t use any pipe dope or plastic tape on the valve stem’s threads.
3. Reassemble the shutoff valve, turn the main house valve back on and check for leaks. If this step doesn’t stop the leak, you’ll need to replace the whole valve.