If you’ve noticed strange noises coming from your toilet after flushing, you’re probably wondering what’s causing it and how to fix it. Noisy toilets can be annoying and bothersome, and the sounds can range from high-pitched squeals to vibrating rumbles. Understanding the common reasons behind these post-flush noises can help you pinpoint and resolve the issue.
Here we’ll explore the various causes of toilet noises after flushing and the steps you can take to quiet your commode. We’ll also provide tips on when to call a plumber for toilet repair service. Read on to learn why your toilet is making noise and how to stop the racket.
Common Causes of Toilet Noises After Flushing
There are several common culprits behind noisy toilets after flushing:
Sediment Buildup
Over time, mineral deposits and sediment can accumulate inside the toilet tank, pipes, and fittings. Small pieces of this built-up sediment can dislodge when the toilet flushes, causing noises as they rattle around inside the pipes. The sounds may range from high-pitched squeaks to vibrating gurgles.
Sediment buildup inside the tank can also cause the flush valve to stick open, allowing water to continuously run and cause trickling or dripping sounds. Excess sediment around fittings can obstruct water flow, leading to noises.
Worn Flapper Valve
The flapper valve at the bottom of the toilet tank serves an important role – this rubber seal opens when you flush the toilet to release the water into the bowl. Over time, this flap can become cracked, misshapen, or simply worn out.
A faulty, ill-fitting flapper will not form a tight seal after flushing. This allows water to continuously trickle from the tank into the bowl, creating running water sounds. As the tank refills, you may hear high-pitched whistling or shrieking coming from the flapper area due to the small gap and water pressure.
Loose Tank Parts
The various mechanical parts inside the toilet tank should fit tightly and securely. However, vibrations from flushing can cause tank bolts, mounts, chain links and other parts to loosen over time. This can result in annoying rattling noises coming from inside the tank or bowl after flushing.
Loose Pipes
Toilet drainage pipes leading from the tank to the bowl and out into the sewer line are all connected via fittings and seals. If any of these connections come loose, it can create gurgling sounds as air and water escape through the gap. The vibrating pipes may also cause rattling noises.
Clogged Passages
Partial clogs in the trapway, jets or drainage pipes can obstruct water flow, leading to noises like gurgles, buzzing or whistling after flushing. Because the clog impedes the water, annoying sounds will persist as the tank empties and refills.
How to Fix a Noisy Toilet After Flushing
The specific repair steps will depend on the cause of your noisy toilet. Here are some tips for troubleshooting and silencing the most common issues:
Clear Sediment Buildup
To clear built-up mineral deposits inside the tank and fittings, start by shutting off the water supply. Flush the toilet to empty the tank. Then use a sponge to wipe away any sediment along the bottom of the tank, on the flush valve and other areas. Check the inlet valve screen and clean if needed.
You can use white vinegar or a commercially available tank cleaner to help dissolve stubborn buildup. Thoroughly rinse all areas when finished. This should help quiet any squeaks or rattling noises caused by dislodged sediment.
Replace Flapper Valve
If the flapper is faulty, replacing this inexpensive part is an easy DIY fix. Turn off the water supply and flush out the tank. Remove the old flapper valve and bring it to the hardware store to find an exact replacement. Install the new flapper and adjust the chain length as needed before turning the water back on.
Make sure the new flapper forms a tight seal after flushing to stop any whistling or running water sounds. Avoid overtightening the flapper chain. Give the new valve a test flush to ensure proper operation.
Tighten Loose Parts
Check for any loose toilet tank mounting bolts and nuts. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten these parts. Give all nuts, bolts and fittings a careful inspection inside the tank and bowl. Tighten anything loose, replace corroded parts, and adjust components as needed to stop annoying rattling noises after flushing.
Reseat Pipes
Try snugging up the water line connections underneath the toilet using pipe wrenches. Check for loose floor flange bolts and retighten if needed. Verify that the wax ring creates a complete seal between the toilet and drain flange. Running a thin bead of silicone around toilet base edges can help eliminate any rattling from loose piping.
Clear Clogs
For gurgling or buzzing noises caused by obstructions, try using a toilet auger to clear out the trapway and drain pipes below the toilet. Remove excess clogs and buildup to allow unimpeded water flow from the tank to the bowl and out to the sewer line. If DIY snaking doesn’t solve the issue, call your plumber for professional drain cleaning.
When to Call a Plumber for Noisy Toilet Repairs
While many toilet troubles can be successfully tackled as DIY projects, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call in a professional plumber for help with particularly stubborn or complex noisy toilet issues:
- Persistent flapper valve leaks and noises that replacement parts fail to resolve
- Inability to eliminate sediment buildup or mineral deposits
- Tank, bowl or drainage pipe leaks
- Damaged, severely worn or cracked toilet components
- Complex wax ring or floor flange repairs
- Repeated clogged drains or sewer line problems
- Ineffective DIY repairs resulting in lingering noises
A licensed plumber has the expertise to fully diagnose issues, identify the root cause of noises, and carry out necessary repairs to resolve the problem for good. Investing in professional service can save you from frustrations of ineffective DIY attempts and prevent future costly repairs.
Preventing Noises in Your Toilet After Flushing
Carrying out simple maintenance and care on your toilet can help minimize annoying noises and prevent potential problems down the road:
- Periodically check the flapper – Replace at first signs of wear or cracking
- Clean the tank – Remove sediment and mineral buildup
- Avoid in-tank cleaners – These can damage parts over time
- Tighten components – Check for loose fittings, bolts, gaskets
- Upgrade old pipes – Have corroded/damaged pipes replaced
- Snaking/Plunging – Clear minor clogs before they worsen
- DIY repairs – Fix minor leaks immediately
- Professional maintenance – Have plumber inspect/service annually
FAQ About Noisy Toilet After Flushing
Why does my toilet make noise after flushing?
There are a few common reasons why your toilet may make noises after a flush:
- Sediment or mineral buildup in tank/pipes dislodges and rattles around
- Worn out, cracked or faulty flapper valve allowing water to continuously run from tank to bowl
- Loose components like tank bolts or fittings are rattling
- Leaking at pipe fittings causing gurgling sounds
- Partial clog in drain or trapway obstructing water flow and causing buzzing
Why does my toilet whine after flushing?
A high-pitched whining or whistling noise coming from a toilet after flushing is typically caused by a leaking, cracked or otherwise faulty flapper valve. This flap seal prevents water from continuously flowing into the bowl. A leaking flapper causes excessive water flow, creating a whistling sound. Replacing the worn-out flapper valve should resolve the whistling noise.
Why does my toilet scream after flushing?
Loud, high-pitched screaming sounds after flushing are usually due to a bad flapper valve. The continuous flow of water passing through the small gap in the seal creates a shrieking or screaming noise as the tank refills. Replacing the faulty, leaking flapper with a new one will eliminate the screaming sound.
Why does my toilet gurgle after flushing?
Gurgling noises coming from the toilet after flushing are typically caused by partial obstructions in the trapway or drainage pipes that impede water flow. This results in noisy air bubbles and drain vibrations. Using a closet auger to clear any clogs or buildup from the trapway, jets and drain lines will normally resolve the gurgling.
Why does my toilet hum after flushing?
A continuous humming noise coming from the toilet after flushing generally indicates that the flapper valve is not sealing properly, allowing water to run from tank to bowl. The sound is created as the flowing water vibrates across the valve opening. Replacing the worn-out flapper and adjusting the chain length will usually stop the humming.
Why does my toilet hiss after flushing?
Hissing noises from a toilet after a flush are most often caused by water leaking from a loose connection, damaged seal or minor crack somewhere in the tank. Carefully inspect the fill valve, fittings, flapper, bolts and porcelain tank for leaks. Tighten or replace any failing seals and connections to prevent the hissing sound.
Why does my toilet bang after flushing?
Sudden banging noises coming from a toilet immediately after flushing are typically caused by loose pipes that move slightly when pressurized by the water flow. They soon settle back into place, making a bang. Try tightening the water supply line, floor bolts and other fittings. Add adhesive caulk around the base to secure pipes and eliminate any rattling noises.
Why does my toilet crackle after flushing?
Crackling noises coming from a toilet after flushing are usually caused by mineral buildup and sediment deposits inside the tank. As the water level rises, pieces of the deposits can break loose and create a crackling sound as they bounce around the tank and pipes. Cleaning the tank and components to remove all sediment will normally quiet these noises.
Conclusion
If your toilet starts making strange noises after flushing, there is likely a fairly simple fix. Sediment buildup, worn flappers, loose parts and partial clogs represent some of the most common causes. Carefully diagnosing the problem and making minor repairs can often resolve the issue and restore peace and quiet.
For persistent noises or complex repairs, don’t hesitate to call in a professional plumber. They have the expertise to fully inspect your toilet, accurately identify issues and carry out appropriate repairs. With simple maintenance and prompt repairs when noises arise, you can eliminate annoying and disruptive post-flush gurgles, squeaks and rattling sounds coming from your toilet.