Why Is My Toilet Making Noise & How Can I Fix It?

What causes a noisy toilet?

Various issues can result in your toilet making noise even if it’s not in use:

• A worn out or faulty flapper valve, which can be the reason for the persistent noise after your toilet keeps making noise. A faulty flapper valve might not seal effectively, resulting in a constant leak into the toilet bowl, manifesting as a perpetual hissing sound.
• Fill valve problems. If the fill valve fails to shut off properly, water may continue to enter the tank, creating unnecessary noise. A malfunctioning valve may produce trickling or flowing water sounds.
• Mineral buildup. Over time, mineral deposits can compromise the valve seal on components like the flapper valve or fill valve, impairing their seal and causing water to seep into the overflow tube, which generates running water sounds.
• Blockages. Partial clogs in internal pipes or in the sewer line can restrict water flow, leading to gurgles or bubbling noises as air and water struggle to pass.
• Vent blockage. Blocked vent stacks can cause gurgling sounds or phantom flushes as trapped air escapes.

Checking the toilet fill valve

Examining the fill valve is essential for identifying the source of toilet noise. Here’s how your toilet can be checked for this particular component:

1. Shut off the tank’s water supply to stop the water flow.
2. Flush the toilet to empty the tank completely, ensuring optimal flushing system performance.
3. Remove the toilet tank lid and set it aside.
4. Examine the fill valve for wear, mineral deposits, or damage.
5. Give the fill valve a gentle jiggle, moving it all the way up and down to ensure it’s secure — there should be no excessive movement if it’s properly fastened.
6. Manually lift the float cup or ball up. If the fill valve does not shut off, replacing it is necessary to prevent water flow into the tank.
7. Drop the float cup. The fill valve should open once more, allowing water to flow into tank.
8. Replace the fill valve if it does not operate or seal correctly, or shows damage.

Problems with the fill valve, including misalignment or improper adjustment, can result in a relentless flow of water and associated hissing or running noises. Such issues may cause one to wonder 'why does my toilet make phantom flushing noises’ as water spills into the overflow pipe without a flush. Replacing a worn fill valve restores quiet operation.

Fixing a faulty toilet flapper

A noisy toilet, even when idle, typically points to a flapper that is failing to seal, a frequent source of these disturbances. This can lead to a constant hissing or running noise sound as your toilet makes continuous noise.

To address this problem and eliminate noise, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the tank’s shutoff valve and wait a few minutes.
2. Flush to empty the tank and remove the lid, confirming there are no residual sounds.
3. Inspect the flapper - look for cracks, warping, chemical damage or mineral buildup.
4. Ensure the flapper chain is not too tight or improperly hooked, preventing a complete seal.
5. Try adjusting the flapper chain before replacing the flapper. Make sure the flapper can move freely to seal the flush valve.
6. If the flapper is beyond repair, it needs to be replaced. Choose a compatible replacement and secure it within the toilet cistern following manufacturer instructions.
7. Refill the tank and test - the running water noise should now be gone.

Replacing or adjusting a faulty, leaking toilet flapper restores a water-tight seal at the bottom of the tank. This halts unintended water from continuing into toilet, addressing ongoing concerns of persistent toilet hissing noises or unexplained flushing.

Should adjusting the chain fail or the flapper valve be irreparable, install a new flapper to quieten your toilet.

Adjusting the flush handle

A dysfunctional flush handle can also cause your toilet to be noisy. Here’s how to assess and adjust the handle:

1. Check the chain connecting the handle to the flapper. Make sure it has about 1/2 inch of slack and is not too tight or loose.
2. Adjust the chain by loosening the chain clip on the flapper, removing slack or giving more slack as needed.
3. Test that the flapper lifts fully when you pull and release the handle, then drops back down to seal the flush valve fully.
4. If the handle itself is loose or failing to latch, tighten the lock nut or replace the mechanism.

Having the correct slack allows the flapper to seal completely after flush, preventing any noises when the toilet is not in use. Too tight of a chain will prevent a full seal, allowing leaks and noise. Adjust the chain before replacing any parts to see if it resolves noise issues.

Clearing clogs and ventilation issues

Clogged drains or vent pipes can lead to gurgling noises from your toilet, even when it’s not in use. Here’s how to check for blockages:

Clearing a Clogged Toilet

When flushing, a clogged toilet that fails to fully drain can cause bubbling, blowing, or gurgling noise when use as water struggles to pass through the obstruction. When dealing with a clog, use your toilet plunger with vigorous, consistent pumps to dislodge the blockage.

If plunging doesn’t work, use an auger (toilet snake) to reach deeper blockages. Insert the auger’s corkscrew tip down the toilet and turn the handle. Once you feel resistance, twist and pull to hook and extract clogs from your toilet bowl.

For severe clogs, don’t hesitate to give us a call at a professional plumbing service, as you may need a high-powered jetter machine to clear the obstruction.

Fixing Vent Pipe Issues

The vent stack helps relieve air pressure within drain lines. If this vent gets clogged, air and water can produce bubbling sounds as they attempt to escape through the toilet.

A skilled plumber can clear obstructions that can cause your vent stack to block every few minutes if necessary. Keeping roof vents clear of debris can also prevent future blockages leading to noise.

By tackling any drainage blockages, you can reinstate appropriate water flow and air pressure, which will cease the unwelcome gurgling sounds from your flushing toilet.

Preventing water hammer

Water hammer refers to the loud noise that can occur when a valve in the plumbing system suddenly closes or opens. This rapid change in water flow creates a shock wave that vibrates your pipes on its own, causing the hammering sound.

Here are some tips to help prevent water hammer in your water line:

• Fitting water hammer arrestors into your plumbing can prevent the vibrations that cause hammering sounds. These devices absorb the shock wave from a running toilet and dissipate the energy, ensuring your home is free from worries about pipes vibrating and noise.
• It’s essential to secure any loose pipes or fittings to mitigate water hammer sounds during water flow.
• Replace worn fixtures like washing machine hoses or toilet fill valves. Worn parts may close too quickly.
• Consider re-piping if pipes are severely corroded, as weak pipes not only transfer more vibration but could also impact your water bill.
• If your main water pressure exceeds 80 PSI, using a water pressure regulator can help reduce water hammer noise. Elevated pressure enhances water hammer risks, which can lead to noisy and potentially damaging plumbing issues.

Implementing these preventative measures can reduce water hammer noise and protect against pipe damage.

Optimizing the water level

Maintaining the appropriate water level in your toilet tank after flushing is vital to minimize noise. the tank water level should be sufficient to initiate a complete syphon during a flush, without being too high to cause overflow into the refill tube — you’ll need to find the perfect balance.

You can optimise the tank water level by adjusting the float mechanism:

1. Turn the off water supply valve located under the tank to stop the water flow.
2. Flush toilet to empty the tank. Remove the tank lid.
3. Look for the float ball or cup attached to an arm. This raises with the water level to trigger the fill valve shutoff.
4. Bend the float arm carefully to set the water level about 1 inch below the overflow tube opening when the tank finishes refilling.
5. Test by turning the water back on and allowing the tank to fill. Make further adjustments if needed.

The height setting of the float determines the shut-off point for the fill valve. Optimising this water level prevents excess flow into the overflow and quieter toilet function.

If you cannot adjust the fill level successfully, the fill valve may need replacing. Contact a licenced plumber for additional troubleshooting or repairs.

When to call a professional plumber

While some toilet noises and issues can be addressed with basic troubleshooting or DIY repairs, there are certain scenarios where it’s best to call in a professional Seven Hills plumber:

• If attempts to fix components like the flapper, fill valve, or flush handle do not resolve the noise, you likely need professional diagnosis and repairs.
• Specialised jetting equipment may be needed for vent pipe blockages or stubborn drain clogs.
• For precise resolution to leaks, overflows, or sounds that suggest water damage, professional repairs are necessary.
• If noises persist despite parts replacements, there may be an underlying issue requiring advanced inspection.
• For installations, extensive repairs or full toilet replacements, which are common problems toilets make, hiring a qualified technician ensures proper configuration for quiet function.

Our Seven Hills licensed plumbers are well-versed in troubleshooting toilet noise issues and possess the expertise for thorough repairs or upgrades. We prioritise long-lasting solutions and encourage clients to learn about preventive maintenance for enduring outcomes.

Should you encounter relentless or serious toilet noise, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Seven Hills Plumbing on 1300 349 338 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment with our specialists. We service the greater Sydney region and provide upfront pricing.