Toilets
make a lot of noise when they flush, but they should be quiet the
rest of the time. If your toilet makes noise when it's supposed to be
quiet, this could be a sign of a leak or another plumbing problem.
Here's what you need to know about some of the most common toilet
noises and what they mean.
Excessive
Running
Running
noises occur when water leaks out of the tank and into the bowl, and
then the tank re-fills with water. These noises should cease as soon
as the tank is finished filling. Running noises when no one flushes
could mean a variety of things:
-
The valve in the
tank allows water to escape into the bowl.
-
The flapper chain
in the tank is too tight and prevents the valve from shutting all
the way.
-
The float in the
toilet tank is set to a high mark, causing the toilet to run
constantly.
Find
out why your toilet makes these noises by opening the tank and
peering inside. Jiggle the chain to see if it has slack. If the chain
is tight, loosen it. Feel around the base of the valve at the bottom
of the chain for algae. Sometimes cleaning slime off the valve can
help the tank hold water.
Finally,
check the height of the float. The level of the float should be at
the same level of the overflow tube. If the float is higher than the
tube, adjust it. If none of this works, your toilet tank may need the
parts replaced. Talk to a plumbing professional if you're not sure
how to get this done.
Gurgling
You
may hear a gurgling noise following each flush. This gurgling noise
occurs when something blocks the water and prevents the water from
passing through the drain. This could be a sign of a sewer backup or
of a problem in the drain line. If other drains and toilets in your
home behave strangely, this could be a sewer problem. Have a
knowledgeable plumber inspect your sewer.
If
your toilet is the only fixture gurgling noises, use a plunger to
push the obstruction out of the drain. To do this, place a plunger in
the toilet bowl when it is full of water. Push the plunger up and
down over the drain hole. Do this swiftly to force water to move
through the drain. Repeat this process if the gurgling continues, or
call a plumber.
Banging
A
banging in the pipes that occurs immediately after the toilet stops
running is called a water hammer. A water hammer occurs when water
flowing through pipes stops suddenly and hits the valve with an
audible bang. The force of water hitting pipes repeatedly can be
destructive and may cause the pipes to become damaged over time.
Water
hammers can occur because of high water pressure. Water hammers can
also occur because of air in the pipes. You can try to fix this
problem yourself by draining the pipes in your home and then allowing
them to refill with water. To do this, turn off the water main, then
open up the sink faucets in the upper level of your home.
Next,
open a faucet in the lowest point of your home. Flush all the toilets
and turn on all faucets in your house, starting on the top floor.
Keep doing this until all water stops flowing. Finally, close all the
faucets. Turn the water main back on. Open all the faucets one more
time until water flows through all of them. Flush all the toilets.
If
draining and refilling the pipes does not stop the water hammer,
contact a plumber. Your plumber can help you install a pressure
regulator if your home needs one.
Contact
Us With Questions
If
your toilet makes strange noises and you're not able to figure out
why, contact
Aurora Plumbing & Electrical
.
We're happy to answer your questions!
