A finicky toilet isn’t just irritating and inconvenient; it can be downright expensive, too. If your toilet is constantly making strange sounds, that’s a solid indication it’s suffering from some type of leak or plumbing issue, which, unfortunately, can cause your water bills to skyrocket without warning. If you’re dealing with any of the following three obnoxious toilet noises, our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating explains what might be going on.
Phantom Flushing
Does your toilet randomly flush itself? Phantom flushing, also known as ghost flushing, typically occurs when there’s a leak in the toilet’s tank. In most cases, the offending leak results from a few simple issues, including:
● A bad flapper
● Improper positioning of the overflow pipe and the refill tube
● Improper chain tension
● A bad flush valve drain
Whatever the cause may be, unless you’re educated in toilet and plumbing repair, locating the culprit can be a challenge. Rather than attempting a potentially ineffective fix yourself, a plumbing repair professional can quickly inspect the toilet and advise you on the appropriate course of action. If you allow the issue to persist, be ready to watch your monthly water bill soar.
Hissing Noises
When you flush your toilet, does it hiss at you? This relatively common sound is likely due to a problem with your toilet’s inlet water valve, which controls the water that refills the tank each time you flush your commode. Over time, sediment and hard water deposits can settle on the valve, which partially blocks water flow into the tank.
When these deposits accumulate, the stream of water flowing into the tank becomes very thin, causing pressure to build within the valve. As pressure continually builds, it creates a vibration, which you hear as a hissing noise each time you flush. To remedy the issue, try cleaning the inlet valve and seal. If that doesn’t quiet the noise, contact a plumbing repair professional to diagnose the issue.
Continuous Trickling
If you can hear a continuous trickling sound emerging from your toilet’s tank, that’s a surefire indication that its flapper valve has gone bad. The flapper seal prevents water from flowing out of the tank and into the bowl once the toilet fills to the appropriate level. However, if the rubber deteriorates or shifts out of position, it can allow water to trickle out of the tank continuously. To fix this issue, try this:
● Turning off the water valve beneath the toilet tank.
● Flush the toilet and allow the water to drain from the tank.
● If the float is attached to the tube, move the stop guide about one inch down the overflow tube.
● If your toilet has a ball float, use pliers to rotate the rod until the middle faces upward, and the ball sits lower in the tank. Or, unscrew the ball to make the rod longer, which will place more force on the water valve, causing it to close sooner.
If attempting a DIY toilet repair just isn’t your thing, or if the above steps don’t eliminate the trickling noise, a licensed plumbing repair professional can diagnose and solve your toilet woes in a matter of minutes. Why waste your precious time fiddling with your toilet when you don’t really know what you’re doing?
Having Toilet Problems? Contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating Today
If your toilet’s acting up and a plunger just isn’t doing the job, don’t hesitate to contact our central Wisconsin team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, our team is always on call, so whenever you have an issue, we’ll be there to solve it. With over 85 years of combined plumbing experience among our highly trained team and the best guarantees in the business, you can trust that when we perform your plumbing repair, it’s going to last. To learn more about our plumbing services or any of the many home services we offer, contact our team today, or feel free to request your free estimate online.