Foghorn Noise When Flushing Toilet?
If your toilet is making a loud, booming foghorn noise when you flush, there is likely a simple solution. The sound is common in older cisterns, caused by a worn-out or loose washer inside the fill valve.
Here we'll explain how to fix it and some of the other maintenance issues that might be behind those worrying noises when you flush!
Reasons a Toilet Makes a Foghorn Noise When Flushing
Strange toilet noises are typically due to:
- Hissing, where water is leaking out of the tank when refilling.
- Gurgling or rumbling, caused by negative air pressure in the lines - most probably a clog.
- Banging from the water heater often results from mineral build-ups on the burners.
- Foghorn noises, usually because you have a metal ballcock fill valve with a worn or loose washer.
If you're not convinced, you can lift the lid on your tank and flush the toilet, holding the float up - if the foghorn noise disappears, you can be sure you have identified the problem.
The good news is that you can solve most of these issues quickly without professional assistance.
However, if you have any sinister noises in your plumbing or central heating and cannot resolve them, it's well worth hiring an expert to make sure there isn't something more serious going on.
How to Fix a Foghorn Noise When You Flush a Toilet
To rectify this specific problem, you'll need to replace the problematic washer or fit a new ballcock valve.
The latter sounds more involved, but it's often easier since the alternative is to disassemble the valve to find the culprit.
If you're keen to find the washer causing the loud noises, follow these steps:
- Take a look at the fill valve. If you can see the three screws on top, it means the unit isn't sealed.
- You'll need to turn the water off, empty the tank, and then either change the defective washer or fit a new ballcock valve.
- Remove the three screws; take out the float ball and the top bit of the fill valve.
- If you can see the damaged washer beneath, you can replace it, put the mechanism back, and flush the toilet.
When you check the valve, if you can't see the three screws, the valve is sealed, which means you'll need to replace the whole unit.
Other Potential Causes of a Noisy Toilet Flush
There are multiple reasons your toilet could be making loud noises, so if you haven't found a worn washer in your fill valve, there could be another cause.
Dirty and eroded ballcocks are one of the most obvious causes, which is straightforward to rectify. Turn the water supply off, remove any dirt or debris, and check for leaks when you turn the water back on.
If the noise persists, it might be time to replace your ballcock.
Another possibility is that you have a loose connection somewhere else in the cistern, so you can check the washers and links to ensure everything is fastened tightly.
Old washers can cause a humming noise, so if you follow the steps above and see an old washer inside the ball valve, replacing it should remedy the noise problem.
Alternatively, check for:
- Clogged vents, indicated by noises when flushing when all other potential issues have been addressed.
- Faulty float switches cause water overflows, so they need to be tightened or replaced.
Should you have been through each of these troubleshooting steps and not been successful, it's time to call a plumber.
Frequently Asked Questions - Foghorn Noise When Flushing the Toilet
We've explained here some of the most common reasons your toilet might be making annoying noises, so let's go on to answering frequently asked questions about issues with your WC.
How Can I Stop My Toilet From Making Noises When Flushed?
Noisy flushes are a standard sign that you have a loose connection or something inside your cistern that has become worn or blocked.
The best solution is to turn the water off, drain your tank, and have a look to see if you can identify the reason for the noises.
Water filling the tank, emptying and draining all cause slight sounds, but a loud noise that sounds like a foghorn is a signal that you have a loose or damaged washer in your ballcock valve unit.
Why Does My Toilet Make a Loud Noise?
As you flush a toilet, water travels quickly through the pipes - and a valve closes in your tank when it is full.
That valve closure means the water in the pipes crashes up against it, which can cause a minor vibration or mean loose pipes bang on the wall.
If this happens, it's often a case of replacing the washers in the valve or simply tightening the piping attachments to stop the movement.
Do I Need a Plumber to Fix a Noisy Toilet?
Potentially yes, and while many of the solutions we've explored here are simple enough, it's wise to contact a plumber if you're not confident that you can replace an old washer by yourself.
Noisy toilet flushes are very common in older properties and units, so it's normally very easy to fix.
Most plumbers will likely recommend a new ballcock valve if you have a foghorn noise since it takes less time than taking the valve apart and will last longer.
Why Does My Toilet Sound Like it is Constantly Flushing?
If you flush and the toilet sounds like it is continually flushing, it's usually an issue with the fill valve, which isn't closing off correctly.
Generally, the adjustment is just resetting the float arm at a lower level - you can do this by opening the tank, where you'll find a cylinder float or a floating ball attached to the end of a rod.
Cylinder floats have an adjustable clip to the side, which you can squeeze to lower the float until the water stops running.
You can adjust float balls by unscrewing the top of the fill valve counter-clockwise until the noise stops.
References:
- https://www.boblarsonplumbing.com/blog/2020/december/if-your-plumbing-is-making-these-sounds-there-s-/
- https://www.smithsplumbingservice.com/blog/2020/february/top-3-toilet-sounds-to-watch-out-for/
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/fix-toilet-making-foghorn-sound-91005.html
- https://www.yellowpages.ca/tips/how-on-earth-do-i-repair-a-foghorn-toilet-noise/
- https://www.rooterguard.com/2020/08/19/why-does-the-toilet-make-a-noise-when-flushed/
- https://www.outofthisworldhomeservices.com/blog/my-toilet-makes-noise-when-not-in-use-why/
By Johnny Fuller
Home Improvement editor at NWrenovations.com
Our Top Picks
Find an Installer
Enter your details and find a local tradesman in your area. Leave your details below and we’ll connect you with local companies in your area. We look forward to hearing from you! Local installers No obligation quote Save £100’s
Welcome to NW Renovation
Follow our Refurbish to Rent Project… We’re Mike and Chloe, part-time property enthusiasts and first-time landlords. We’re on a mission to buy and rent properties with a difference – they’re actually decent looking. Join us on our as we buy … Read more
Choosing the Correct Paint Sheen for Your Project
How To Choose the Correct Paint Sheen for Your Project Choosing the Correct Paint Sheen for Your Project Choosing paint sheen is as much about personal preference as it is about the amount of wear and tear the painted surface … Read more