Pipes Behind the Toilet Make Noise & Vibrate

Identification

• Listen closely when you flush the toilet. You should only hear the sound of flushing water and feel minimal vibration. You might hear a light humming sound, a banging sound like metal pipes smacking up against each other or a rattling sound. Pay close attention to where that sound is coming from because this will help you identify whether you have a problem with the toilet or with the piping. Take note of how long the noise and vibration last.

Cause

• A dry or deteriorated ball cock valve gasket in the toilet is a likely cause of the problem, according to an article in The Los Angeles Times. When the toilet flushes, the float ball and arm mechanism inside the tank drops as the water level drops. When the water level inside the tank rises, the ball cock closes. If this ball cock is old, vibrations can occur inside the tank, causing the toilet, pipes and surrounding area to vibrate. If you don’t detect any noise coming from the toilet tank, the pipes themselves are likely the source of the problem. A faulty or loose valve in the pipes might be causing the noise.

Solution

• Replacing the ball cock valve gasket solves the problem in many circumstances. Ball cock valve gaskets cost about $5 and are easy to replace. Before buying a new one, however, try cleaning the mineral deposits around the ball cock valve. Turn off the water and flush the toilet until it’s empty. Use an emery cloth to scrub the inside of the valve seat and wipe away the mineral deposits. If the noise continues, replace the ball cock valve gasket. Remove the old gasket by unhooking the valve and lifting the chain. Attach the new valve gasket in its place and test the toilet again. If the noise persists, you’ll need to call a licensed plumber to have a look at it. If the problem is centralized in the pipes behind the wall, the plumber might need to dismantle the system which can be time-consuming and costly.

Prevention

• To prevent noise and vibration, clean the toilet tank regularly to remove mineral deposits and other buildup that might hinder proper flushing. If the problem keeps occurring, you may have a problem in the overall plumbing system of your house. Have a plumber do a thorough analysis of your plumbing system.