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4 Common Toilet Noises and What They Mean

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Common Toilet Noises

Have you ever heard some odd noises coming from your toilet? They might occur after it’s flushed or even for no apparent reason.

It’s easy to start worrying when you hear an odd sound, but the good news is that most toilet noises are nothing to worry about. However, you should know what each noise can mean.

Are you looking to find out what it means when your toilet starts making noises? Read on and we’ll tell you all about it.

1. Constant Running

When you flush your toilet, you hear a running sound that indicates that the water is filling back up. This is normal to hear after flushing.

The trouble starts when the running noise sticks around for too long or never shuts off. While this can be worrying, it’s almost never a serious issue.

When you hear this, it can mean one of a few things.

In the back of the toilet, you have a flapper chain. If this becomes too strained or tight, it can cause the valve to stick open. This is what produces the sound.

It can also indicate an issue with the valve inside of the tank. In this case, the valve tank would not stop the water from leaking from the bowl.

One last way that it can cause issues is by the float. If it isn’t set right, it can cause the toilet to run constantly.

These are all important parts of the toilet to keep an eye on. Fortunately, it’s easy to watch for these problems.

If you think it might be the flapper chain, you can wiggle it around. You should feel slack in the chain. If there isn’t any, then it will need to be loosened.

For a valve issue, you’ll need to check it. Be sure that the valve is closing so that the water doesn’t escape.

To fix a float issue, the height will need to be adjusted.

If you can narrow down the causes, it will give you a much better chance of fixing it. Or, you can have a plumber come in to do it for you.

2. Hissing Noise

Hearing a hissing noise from your toilet might be scary, but it’s typically a less serious issue. If you do hear this, you should still do some investigating.

This sound is usually caused by your flapper. Over time, it can break down and stop functioning as it should. However, this isn’t the only thing that can cause issues.

Your toilet’s ballcock can also be the culprit here. If it isn’t adjusted to the right level, then it can cause trouble.

If your valve or flapper is the issue, then you may need a replacement. A qualified plumber can help with this.

A ballcock issue can often be fixed with an adjustment.

If your toilet is making a hissing noise, then you should always look for these problems.

3. Your Toilet is Making a Bubbling Noise

Gurgling or bubbling is a noise that can be difficult to get to the bottom of. This is because many issues can result in you hearing this noise.

One of the most common issues that can cause this noise is a blockage. It could occur within the sewer drain, the toilet itself, or in a vent stack. The noise comes from the air in the water.

A clogged toilet is the easiest fix. A plunger can help to get rid of the clog and open up the toilet for use again.

The other issues are a little more serious to deal with.

If this is the case, it’s an issue that is best left to the professionals. You should call them in right away and refrain from using the affected toilets.

4. Banging

One of the more serious noises you can hear is banging in your toilet. Many know this sound as a “water hammer.”

When you hear this, you’re hearing the water inside of your pipes hitting the valve. The valve makes the banging noise as the water hits it.

The reason that the water does this is due to the high pressure inside of the pipes.

While this may seem like a mild problem, it can be very detrimental to your pipes. The more that this happens, the faster your pipes will start to deteriorate.

The fix for this noise is to completely drain the pipes. Once this is done, then they also need to be refilled.

If this is the issue for you, it can be beneficial to call in a plumber to help you. This is a sensitive issue that should be dealt with as soon as possible.

How Can I Prevent These Sounds in the Future?

Hearing any of these sounds coming from your toilet can be scary.

The best way that you can prevent these noises in the future is to invest in regular maintenance. With this, you’ll be able to catch these problems before they have the chance to happen.

A certified plumber can carry out regular maintenance to check for this.

You can also do a few things yourself to prevent these noises.

One good example is to watch what is flushed. Don’t flush anything in the toilet that should go in the garbage. It could cause a blockage that could cause the bubbling noise that was mentioned earlier.

You can also keep an eye on the valves, chains, and general condition of the toilet. If you notice that something isn’t working as it should, you should get it checked by a plumber immediately.

With these tips, your toilet will be working its best.

Have Toilet Noises Kept You Awake at Night?

When you hear toilet noises that you’ve never heard before, it can be easy to panic. Most of the time, they’re easy fixes. But sometimes, you will need to get a plumber in as soon as you can.

Now that you know what each noise means, you’ll be prepared when you hear one of them.

If your toilet is making noise, it may be time to call a professional in Orange County. Give us a call today to see how we can help you!

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9 Comments
  1. Mike Stassi

    My toilet seems to want to flush twice. It flushes fine, then more water as it’s filling up wants to also go down making a googling noise. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Shasha

      My toilet seat lid always makes me jump a few minutes after
      anyone stands up after sitting on it.. it caves in then jumps when it pops back to shape.

      Reply
  2. Mary Lou Accurso

    My toilet makes a gurgling noise when I sit on it.

    Reply
  3. Mizcab

    My toilet is making a soft constant swooshing noise or soft choo choo noise.

    Reply
  4. Joy

    My toilet is making a humming high pitch sound then when I flush it goes away

    Reply
    • Gary Ladman

      My toilet is doing the same thing (high pitched sound that goes away when flushed) but everything I’m reading on the internet suggests causes and fixes when the high pitched sound occurs after flushing and when the tank is refilling. I feel our situation is much more annoying because it is continuous until someone gets up and flushes the toilet.

      Reply
  5. Caroline

    Toto toilet has new flapper and fill valve. In middle of night the toilet make a vibrating sound for maybe 15 seconds. Dye in tank does not leak into bowl so flapper sealing. Only thing I notice is water level is a bit high- just below top of overflow pipe. Driving us crazy. What is the fix?

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth

    After flushing toilet about 20 seconds later there is a horrendous drone noise in the wall. What is happening

    Reply
  7. UNKNOWN

    My toilet is making a morse code like sound and its high pitched, Should i call my plumber (apartment plumbing) or a professional plumber?

    Reply

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