A hissing toilet is a common phenomenon that can be seen in most households. The sound of toilet hissing can sometimes be loud and troublesome. You may feel like a reptile has invaded your bathroom space. The problem of hissing toilet may remain for a long period of time, which can ultimately irritate you on a regular basis.
However, here is good news for you, toilet hissing noise can be resolved easily once you understand the reason behind it. If the weird and spooky sound from your toilet is annoying you, consider this article as help at hand. In the further parts of the article, you will read about its pattern and the ways to fix it.
Why Does a Toilet Hiss?
The most common problem with the toilets is the hissing sound. When the toilet in your bathroom hisses, the first question that might arise in your mind is – “Why Does a Toilet Hiss”? Well, if you are hunting for an answer to this question, then we are here with an answer!
The common reason why the toilet produces a hissing sound is that air or water is moving through your water line into the toilet tank. Let’s discuss water first, as it is usually a quick fix once you locate the problem. Toilets have a refill valve that controls how much water hoes back into the tank when you flush.
If the refill valve is not working perfectly, you will end up with too much or too little water after each flush. A hissing sound means that the refill valve is still allowing a little bit of water into the tank because it has not shut off like it is actually designed to.
So, when you hear your toilet hissing, take the lid off your toilet tank immediately. The first thing to check now is to see if the water is running down the overflow pipe. If it is, then your refill valve is not shutting off when the tank is full. This means that the water is continuously going down the refill tank and running up your water bill.
If the water level looks perfectly fine and you still hear the hissing sound, the issue could be with the water supply to your toilet, an issue further back in the plumbing, or even the presence of air in the system. A professional plumber must timely investigate all these problems because the toilet hissing could mean a leak inside an interior wall, which could further damage your home.
Toilet Hisses Randomly Every Few Minutes
If you happen to notice your toilet making a weird noise randomly, it is a clear sign that something is wrong with your toilet. This problem can most likely occur due to a loose washer in the ball cock unit. It is common in old constructed toilets that have a metal ball cock style fill valve. You can try to fix the issue of the toilet hissing randomly every few minutes by tightening or replacing the washer and fill valve assembly.
Toilet Hissing Constantly
If you are noticing the toilet hissing constantly, then the problem might be related to the inter water valve of the toilet. Over a period of time and usage, sometimes bits of sediment or hard water may get deposit in the valve. It ends up partially blocking water flow into the tank. It leads to an increase in water pressure in the valve, which ultimately forces the water out in a narrow stream, due to which a hissing sound constantly comes in the toilet.
Toilet Hissing and Not Flushing
It is common for a commode to make noises when it flushes. However, the toilet should be quiet the rest of the time when a person is not using it. So, if your toilet hisses when it is supposed to be quiet, it could be a direct sign of a plumbing problem. Toilet hissing and not flushing can occur due to the flapper chain. Check if it is too tight because it may prevent the valve from shutting the way. You can try jiggling the chain to determine if it has slack. If the flapper chain is tight, make sure to lose it.
The Toilet is Hissing and Leaking
Sometimes toilets make strange noises like gurgling, screaming, hissing, etc. These noises are mostly related to the movement of air or water. If the toilet hisses, it is probably because water or air is leaking from the fill valve. In any case, if the valve is not shutting properly, the toilet may leak. Now, let’s discuss how you can fix the problem of hissing in your toilet.
Worn Out Flapper Valve Causing Hissing
A commonly overlooked reason for a toilet making a hissing noise is a worn-out flapper valve. The flapper valve is responsible for controlling the release of water from the tank into the bowl during a flush. When this valve wears out, it may not seal properly, causing a constant or intermittent hissing sound.
What Happens When the Flapper Valve Wears Out?
As the flapper valve ages, it may become stiff, cracked, or worn down. When this happens, water can slowly seep from the tank into the bowl, causing a hissing noise as the water refills in small amounts. This issue not only creates noise but can also increase your water bill over time because water is continuously being used.
How to Check and Replace a Flapper Valve
To determine if the flapper valve is causing the hissing noise, turn off the water supply to your toilet and flush it to empty the tank. Inspect the flapper valve at the bottom of the tank. If it looks damaged or doesn’t close properly, it’s time to replace it. Replacing the flapper valve is usually a simple and inexpensive fix. You can find replacement flapper valves at most hardware stores, and the process usually involves just a few steps.
By regularly checking and replacing worn-out parts like the flapper valve, you can avoid hissing noises and other common toilet problems.
Water Pressure Issues in the Plumbing
Another potential cause of a hissing noise in your toilet is high water pressure in your home’s plumbing system. If the water pressure entering your toilet is too high, it can create a loud hissing sound as the water flows into the tank.
Why Does Water Pressure Matter?
Toilets are designed to handle a certain range of water pressure. When the pressure exceeds this range, the water entering the refill valve can move too quickly, creating a hissing sound. Over time, high water pressure can also cause wear and tear on the toilet’s internal parts, leading to other issues like leaks or constant running water.
How to Test and Adjust Water Pressure
You can test your home’s water pressure using a pressure gauge, which can be purchased at a hardware store. Simply attach the gauge to an outdoor faucet and turn on the water. Ideal water pressure for most homes is between 40 and 60 psi (pounds per square inch). If the pressure is higher than this, you may need to install a pressure regulator to reduce the flow of water into your home.
By maintaining proper water pressure, you can reduce the hissing sound and protect your toilet and other plumbing fixtures from damage.
Mineral Buildup in the Fill Valve
Over time, mineral buildup from hard water can cause a toilet to make a hissing noise. Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can accumulate in your toilet’s fill valve, partially obstructing the flow of water and causing the valve to hiss as it struggles to refill the tank.
How Does Mineral Buildup Cause Hissing?
When minerals build up in the fill valve, they can reduce the amount of water entering the tank, forcing the valve to stay open longer. This can create a persistent hissing noise as water trickles in slowly. In some cases, the valve may not close completely due to the buildup, causing a continuous sound.
How to Address Mineral Buildup
If you suspect mineral buildup is causing the hissing noise, you can try cleaning the fill valve. Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet to drain the tank. Then, remove the fill valve and soak it in a solution of vinegar and water to dissolve the mineral deposits. You can also use a small brush to scrub away any buildup.
If cleaning the valve doesn’t fix the problem, it may be time to replace the fill valve altogether. Replacing the fill valve is a straightforward process and can be done with basic tools. By addressing mineral buildup early, you can prevent hissing sounds and improve the overall performance of your toilet.
How to Stop the Toilet from Hissing?
If your toilet is hissing and you are finding out ways to stop it, then we are here with some effective ways to help you stop the toilet from hissing.
The hissing sound is most likely due to a defective refill valve. There are basically two valves inside the toilet tank, i.e., a flapper valve. Located at the bottom of the tank and the other is a refill valve that automatically refills the tank each and every time the toilet is flushed. So, to replace the valve, turn off the water supply to the toilet. Flush the toilet properly to drain the tank and then remove the excess water with a sponge.
Under the outside of the tank, you will find a large metal nut that secures the water supply pipe to the toilet. Simply remove the nut. There will be a second nut as well that secures the refill tower to the tank. You need to remove the second nut and the refill tower. Now, reinstall the refill tower and flapper valve and reconnect the water supply pipe. You can then switch on the water supply but make sure to do this slow and check for leaks.
Another quick repair to consider is replacing the two washers and screws that secure the tank to the bowl. With time, the washers will fail, and the tank will start to leak; therefore, replacing these is preventive maintenance.
Let White’s Plumbing Help You!
If your toilet makes strange noises and still you are not able to figure out why, make sure that you call professionals to check the issue and get it resolved. Contact White’s Plumbing Today to have your toilet looked at and we will have it fixed in no time at all!
