Hard water is a nuisance. It can clog up your home's plumbing, reduce the effectiveness of your soap and detergents, and make your laundry feel rough. That slimy feeling on your skin after bathing or ...

Q: Every few months, when I rub a cloth under my kitchen faucet, the cloth comes away with little black pieces. It happens with my shower head, too. Is this mold? Should I be concerned? Arlington, Va.

Of all the mistakes anyone could make installing a single-handle shower faucet, rushing through the essential prep beforehand is probably the biggest one. With a badly planned installation, you could ...