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Strange Toilet Sounds When Toilet Is Not In Use
When it comes to toilets, most of us take them for granted. But do you know what can cause your toilet to make noise when not in use? And if so, how then can you fix it? This article will cover the primary sources of toilet noise and how to solve them.
So, whether you're hearing a constant clunking sound or having water fill the bathroom every time you flush, keep reading to find out how to stop your toilet from producing that dreadful noise!
Causes Of Toilet Noises
The sounds you hear coming from your toilet when it is not in use could be caused by various factors. The causes could point to an issue with your toilet's mechanism. You must first identify and solve the problem to eliminate the noise.
Fill valves
When a fill valve fails, your toilet will start making noises. The toilet valve can either be leaky or faulty. You can stop the whistling by adjusting the fill valves. However, if the valve isn't operating, it may need to be replaced or repaired. Perhaps your toilet is overly noisy because it is constantly running.
This could be a problem with the valve not shutting correctly. Again, adjusting the float arm to a previous level within the toilet is a viable answer. Begin by removing the toilet lid and then looking for the floating rod. Fill valves come with several types of floats, including cylinder floats and floating balls.
Floats
If you have a cylinder-shaped float on the side, an adjustable clip should allow you to bring the float to stop the water flow. If you have a floating ball on top of the fill valve, turn it counter clockwise until the water stops completely.
Once you've adjusted the toilet, you can flush it as often as possible. If your inlet valve is damaged or worn out and not operating, no adjustment will remedy the problem, and you will most likely need to replace it.
Calcium deposits
Have you heard an ongoing whooshing sound that disappears when the toilet is filled? It's probably because of calcium deposits in your plumbing system. This is a frequent issue in areas and regions with hard water.
Over time, these deposits can become thick and block water flow. When this happens, the toilet will make a loud noise when you flush it. To prevent this from happening, clean your flushing system regularly (usually once a month). You can use an acid and mineral deposit cleaner.
Also, ensure the water in your toilet is at the correct level. When the water level is high, the flushing system will flush more quickly, reducing the noise the toilet makes.
Common Toilet Noises
Ghost flushing
If you're one of the unlucky homeowners suffering from the ghost flush issue, then you know how noisy it can get. The good thing is that you're not in a horror film because the toilet is flushing on its own. Ghost flushing, also known as phantom flushing, can guarantee that your toilet allows water from the tank to drain, thus preventing your tank from filling.
The sound you hear is the valve trying to add more water into the tank. It can happen in a series of intervals between a few minutes and several hours. Some toilet elements must be checked or replaced to prevent ghost flushing.
There are several methods you can take to resolve this issue as follows:
- The first step is to ensure that you have the correct refill pipe in the overflow pipe. However, do not insert the tube directly into the pipe.
- Check the flapper next. Replace it promptly if it is worn or damaged.
- Inspect the chain within the tank. Is it broken, rusted, or suffering from any other evident issues? Replace the chain immediately if you answered "yes" to any of these questions.
- Examine the flush valve's outflow. Do you see a problem? If so, go to the instructions for replacing or repairing the device.
Gurgling noise
A gurgling toilet can indicate several issues, so we don't recommend attempting to identify the problem yourself. A clog in your sewerage system triggers it. This could be due to a blockage in your vent stack, a clog in your toilet, obstruction in the drain, or the drain itself becoming damaged and collapsing.
If you're uncomfortable doing this job, contact a licensed plumber as soon as possible to avoid a massive plumbing disaster and the drain cleaning and repairs that go with it.
Banging noises
After flushing the toilet, it may make a noise as if it was a construction site. You shouldn't dismiss loud noises such as knocking or banging. If your toilet makes gurgling or banging noises, the problem is known as a "water hammer."
This usually means the water in the supply lines is under high pressure. When the tank is filled, and the flow of water ceases when the fill valve shuts abruptly, it produces a loud sound.
Inattention to the loud sound could cause the pipes to burst, and you'll have to put a water hammer stopper in the water line to prevent your toilet from creating noises similar to that. You can also decrease the flow by altering the shut-off valve so that the water pressure is less, which is less likely to trigger odd noises.
Hissing sound
A short roar is expected when the tank fills up, but frequent hissing suggests that the flapper in your toilet isn't doing its job and you're losing water since water drips slowly into your toilet bowl and never fills up completely. Also, this sound is often caused by high water levels in the toilet tank and can be amplified when the flushing or leaking of water occurs.
In addition, toilet leakage and flushing can also cause the noise to become noticeable. You'll have to replace the defective flapper to resolve this issue. It's also possible the water is flowing into the overflow tube. Check that your fill valve has been set at an overflow valve.
Toilet whistling
Do you hear it whirring behind your back when you're not using the toilet? If this is the case, it is possible that your toilet is not in proper working order. A high-quality toilet is very silent and makes no noise when the tank has been filled after flushing.
If it does, however, vibrate even when not in use and create an uncanny sound even when no one is present, leaks or faults could be the cause. Other factors that may cause the toilet whistle sound even when it is not in use include:
- A leaky valve
- The valves for filling could be faulty
- Deposits of calcium within the pipes cause calcium build-up
To overcome this problem, you must inspect the pipes to identify the problem and then fix it before you pay for water.
Here is how to stop your toilet from whistling:
Check the water supply valve
When there is a problem that prevents the flow of water into the toilet, the toilet may begin to whistle. As a result, inspecting the flow valve for water is critical. The flow valve is near the wall of the bathroom. Turn the valve counter clockwise until you are sure it is in the open position. If you can't hear the whistling sound, remove the tank's lid and perform a thorough investigation.
Inspect the fill valve
It could be the case that the whistling does not appear to be coming from the water supply valve or the fill valve. The diaphragm gasket in the fill valve could get worn out, lose its elasticity, and become hard. Also, this is usually the case with older toilets that feature a ballcock valve.
Fill the toilet to find out where the whistling sound is coming from. If the sound is coming from the filling valve in the back left corner of the bathroom, perform a visual investigation to see if there is any restriction to the water flow. Clean any residues developed on the valve that fills it using a moist rag.
Replace the fill valve
After clearing debris from the flush valve and flushing the toilet again, check to see if the toilet is still whistling. If it is, you must replace the valve. If you have an old metal ballcock valve that you want to replace, replace the gasket to stop the toilet from whistling.
An imperative aspect to remember is that, unlike metal valves, a plastic valve will not make whistling sounds in the future. As a result, you should consider replacing the refill valve with a PVC fill valve.
Loud fillings
When you flush the toilet, do you notice a lot of water going into your toilet tank? If this is the case, it usually indicates that there may be an uneven flow of water from the pipe to the toilet. Only replace the valve that supplies water to your toilet. Turn it so that it receives less water at one time.
How To Fix Toilet Making Noise
It's no secret that toilet noise can be a major annoyance, especially when it's keeping you up at night. To stop toilet noise, it is vital to take preventive measures and maintain the toilet in good condition.
Follow these simple steps to reduce the noise and improve toilet function:
- Check for leaks and correct the issue as soon as possible.
- Clean the bowl and flange regularly.
- Flush the toilet multiple times each day. Sometimes, it takes a little water pressure to flush out blockages and make things work again.
- Replace the rubber gasket if the noise persists.
- Check for clogs - something small will often cause significant problems below.
- Make sure your tank or cistern is full - filling up these parts will help reduce noise levels
Hire A Professional To Fix Your Toilet Noises
You don't have to live with toilet sounds! Aside from having clean water and a water heater, one of the most important things to have in a bathroom is a quiet toilet. If you cannot handle the problem on your own, getting professional assistance and having your toilet repaired is essential to ensure it is in good operating order.
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Tropical Coast Plumbing's team of experienced plumbers are here to offer you the best in residential and commercial plumbing solutions. Whether it be gas plumbing, emergency plumbing, blocked toilets, hot water installation or general plumbing, our plumbers know how to get the job done right.
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