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Why Do Toilets Make Noise?
Many people have no idea why toilets make noise when they are not in use. Constantly hearing a loud toilet noise can be irritating, but it also indicates that something is wrong. While detecting this problem may appear to be a difficult task for you, in reality, it is not.
Calcium deposits that have formed over time on the inner portion of the pipes, malfunctioning fill valves, or leaking toilet valves are three of the most typical reasons your toilet can make either a gurgling or a loud noise.
White Calcium Buildup
If you're not sure if the issue is calcium deposits or not, start by checking the region. If you notice white deposits on the outside of your pipes and toilet fixtures, you can be sure they're also on the inside. Calcium deposits on the pipe's interior might choke the pipe or restrict the flow. This, in turn, can result in toilet noises.
Now, just because there aren't any calcium deposits on the outside doesn't mean there aren't any on the inside. To find out, turn off the water, remove a section of the pipe, and search by yourself.
How to remove calcium deposits
If you've never done something similar before, hiring an expert is preferable. There are various methods for removing calcium deposits from the interior of your pipes as follows:
High-pressure steam
High-pressure steam is an excellent tool for eliminating these minor deposits. The steamer can act as a water softener, aiding in the loosening and breaking up of the clumps. The steam can also soften them up and make them easier to tear off.
High-pressure water
Just like high-pressure steam, high-pressure water has the ability to break them apart. It's crucial to note that you should be cautious about how much pressure you use. Too much pressure can cause your pipes to shatter or split.
Chemical cleaners
You can use a variety of cleaners to clean your pipes. Phosphoric acid, glycine, and barium nitrate are just a few of them. These chemicals gradually break down the deposits. White vinegar, on the other hand, can be used if you want something a little more natural. The deposits can be melted away using white vinegar, but it's a long process.
To avoid calcium build-up, be sure to clean the fittings and surrounding pipes regularly. It doesn't take long for calcium to begin building up and causing problems.
Leaking Toilet Valve
Another reason your toilet may make noise when it isn't in use is a leaking valve. Why? When the toilet is losing water somewhere, it must constantly refill the tank. As a result, the toilet will continuously make noise and leak water, wasting the efforts of your tankless water heater. Getting down and evaluating your shut-off valve is the most straightforward approach to determine whether or not this is the issue.
It would be best to examine for any signs of leaks or moisture. Look for corrosion, rust, faulty flush valve, or, as mentioned previously, calcium deposits when you're down there. If you discover rust or corrosion, you'll almost certainly need to repair the valve and the pipes.
Ways to fix a leaky toilet valve
Homeowners with insufficient experience in this field should hire a professional to handle the job. So, how do you stop a leaky valve? First and foremost, you'll need a pair of regular pliers. Attempt to tighten the packing nut on the shutdown valve.
To avoid damaging the water lines, ensure that you turn it clockwise and slowly. This is most likely the issue if the nut is loose. If the bolt is tight but still leaks or produces toilet noises, you'll know the trouble is elsewhere.
Faulty Fill Valve
If your toilet continues to make noise when not in use after you've checked for calcium deposits and a leaky valve, you should examine the fill valve. When the fill valve isn't working correctly, it can cause your toilet to produce a constant noise.
Repairing a faulty fill valve
If you don't have any experience, hiring an expert is the best option. But if you prefer to DIY, you should begin by removing the tank's lid. After you've removed the lid, look for the shut-off valve and twist it clockwise to turn it off. Now you'll want to drain as much water as possible from the tank.
You can accomplish this simply by flushing the toilet. However, make sure you hold the handle for a little longer than usual. This will assist in drain cleaning. The goal is to get almost all of the water out of the tank. You can also remove the remaining water using a cup.
Locate the water supply tube and detach it from the fill valve once all of the water has been withdrawn. With a pair of plyers, you should be able to finish this. After you've disconnected this, you'll need to look for the lock nut on the toilet's underside.
All fill valves are held in place by this lock nut. Pull the old fill valve out, insert the new one, then screw the nut back in after you've unscrewed the nut. Simply reconnect the water supply tubing and turn the water back on from here. You're all set.
Avoid Water Leakage
Leaks from the bottom of the fill valves that have been in use for a long time (not new installations) should be removed and replaced, along with the supply line. If you notice water draining from the fill valve and water supply connection at the bottom of the tank, then remove the fill valve and clean the interior and outside of the tank's bottom.
Before installing the valve, make sure the shank washer is on it (it's designed to seal the tank from the inside). Tighten the fill valve lock nut by hand. If the water supply pipe is more than five years old, it should be replaced. Leaks from under the tank into the toilet bowl indicate that the bolt seals have failed. The toilet bolts with washers and the tank-to-bowl gasket should also be changed.
Types Of Toilet Noises
Banging
The toilet makes a construction site-like noise several minutes after you flush. Loud noises like banging or knocking should not be ignored. The high-water pressure in your water supply line may be causing these sounds. When the tank fills, and the water flow stops abruptly when the fill valve closes, the sound is appropriately named 'water hammer.'
You can't ignore loud toilet noises as it could result in broken pipes. In order to stop your toilet from creating this noise, you'll have to put a water hammer arrestor on the waterline. You can also restrict the flow by changing the shut-off valve, which will lower the water pressure and make unusual noises less likely.
Gurgling
It is not advised to diagnose a gurgling toilet on your own because it could be due to various reasons. An obstruction somewhere in your sewer lines is often the cause. A clog in the vent stack, blocked toilet, or the sewer drain itself that may have broken and collapsed might be to blame.
Some of these issues are simpler to address than others. However, you should immediately cease using the toilet and contact a licensed plumber to avoid a significant toilet disaster and the associated clean-up and repairs.
Ghost flushing
If you hear flushing when no one is in the bathroom, you might suspect that someone secretly lives there. The good news is that you aren't in a horror film; the toilet's flush valve is just working on its own. To fix a ghost flush, you'll need to check or replace a few components of your toilet.
Check for a worn or malfunctioning flapper by removing the toilet lid and ensuring the refill tube is over the overflow pipe. If these items are not in functioning order, it's time to hire a plumber. Don't waste your water and your water heaters efforts. To prevent running up bills for yourself, resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Hissing
A brief hiss when your tank fills is normal, but continual hissing indicates that the toilet flapper isn't doing its job, and you're losing water as water leaks slowly into the toilet bowl, never completely filling it. To resolve this problem, you'll need to replace the faulty flapper. Ensure the fill valve is adjusted to a level below the overflow valve if the water is draining into the overflow tube.
Vibrating
When you flush your toilet, it usually makes a vibrating sound that travels around the wall. This is typically because of a problem with the fill valve. The diaphragm gasket inside the fill valve, in particular, might wear down, lose flexibility, and harden.
Remove the toilet tank lid and carefully remove the float arm to see if the problem is a defective fill valve. It's attached to the fill valve, and it'll need to be replaced if it stops the noise from happening. The vibrating sound could also be coming from the toilet's supply valve on the wall.
When Do You Need Professional Help?
It can be tempting to try experimenting with the flushing system on your own, but it's more reasonable to seek assistance from a plumber.
That being said, it's crucial first to understand the problem. The possible reasons why toilets make noise that we have discussed above will help you diagnose the problem even before your plumber gets there.
