Noise in Pipes

[Buckeyephan]

About two weeks ago, we started hearing a shrill noise coming from our guest bathroom. It sounds a bit like a smoke detector. We tracked it down to the pipes in the shower. The noise stopped when we ran water or flushed. Every time we hear it, water is being used by the dish washer or washing machine. We called a plumber and yesterday for $85 he told us that because the shower was rarely used, air was being trapped in the pipes. We should run water there once a week. Followed his instructions and today the noise came back while running the washer. The sink and toilet are used daily so they wouldn’t be the cause. Our house is 6 years old.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[OCsun]

Your not alone! Ours is occurring in the Master Bathroom and it is a shrill high pitch sound. It will stop if we flush the toilet.

[Chatbrat]

Replace the toilet flush valves--$10.00 @ Lowes--had it in both bath rooms--simple , see instructions on youtube--had the exact same noises & same locations--test turn of the water supply to toilet--noise goes away--house is 8 yrs old-replaced 1 valve a year ago, replace the second vale 2 months ago

PS-- that plumber owes you $85.00, especially when you prove it by changing the valves

[HiHoSteveO]

You have a very slow leak causing the valve to operate very slightly. The valve "should" be fine. You likely have an old deformed red seal in there.

You will need to replace the canister seal. Easy do it yourself job takes 5 minutes. Buy a new seal about $7.
(GP 1059291) at most any hardware store or online. Make sure you get the yellow one.

Lots of videos out there to watch how to do it.

Replace Kohler Toilet Gasket/Seal and Stop That Leak! (Five Minute Fix) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxBCvbfHOp8)

The plumber should be ashamed.

By the way, if you're not familiar with the type of toilet shut off valve they use here, just pull the white round stem straight out away from the wall to turn off the water supply to the toilet.

[Chatbrat]

Its not the canister seal--look @ the you tube video , you'll hear the sound--its the fill that causing the sound - a canister seal would cause the toilet to fill @ sporadic times

[Investment Painting Contractors]

Its not the canister seal--look @ the you tube video , you'll hear the sound--its the fill that causing the sound - a canister seal would cause the toilet to fill @ sporadic times

I've got to go with you on this one. Most of my neighbors toilets don't even have a canister, they have a basic fill tube. 99% of the time it's the fill valve. Len

[rjm1cc]

You can put some food coloring in the toilet tank and next time you hear the sound look in the bowel and see if any color entered the toilet. If it did the flapper is the problem as noted in a number of other posts. Also clean the plastic seat the flapper closes on.

Assuming the problem is the flapper some Vaseline spread on the bottom edge of the flapper might work for a while.

[Chatbrat]

The flapper doesn't cause a whistling sound--it causes the toilet to fill

[NoMoSno]

Could also be the mixer valve behind the wall.
Mixes a little hot water with the cold so the toilet doesn't sweat.
All you need to know about, The Toilet mixing Valve (https://masterplumber.net/mixing_valve.htm)

[New Englander]

Could also be the mixer valve behind the wall.
Mixes a little hot water with the cold so the toilet doesn't sweat.
All you need to know about, The Toilet mixing Valve (https://masterplumber.net/mixing_valve.htm)

We have a toilet mixing valve behind the wall that adds a little hot water to the toilet tank? Are you sure?

[NoMoSno]

We have a toilet mixing valve behind the wall that adds a little hot water to the toilet tank? Are you sure?
If it is a failing mixing valve you will hear the whistle inside the wall near where the toilet pipe comes out of the wall.

[Chatbrat]

With very stable ground temps and our houses being built on slabs, with no basements the odds of having a toilet hot water mixing valves will be very slim; also, our houses are plumbed using a strict construction format---again go to youtube- and look for sound caused by bad fill valve

[anothersteve]

Not saying it's the problem but showers have mixing valves also
Steve

[NoMoSno]

With very stable ground temps and our houses being built on slabs, with no basements the odds of having a toilet hot water mixing valves will be very slim; also, our houses are plumbed using a strict construction format---again go to youtube- and look for sound caused by bad fill valve
They are required by code.

[TedfromGA]

Toilet mixing valve - I doubt it - cost considerations. However, if there is one then ask yourself how long it takes HOT water to reach your bathroom sink? At my home it is 20 to 40 seconds. A mixing valve at the toilet would be a complete waste as it would only mix cold water with cold from the hot water line 90% of the time. I wish the builder had insulated the hot water lines under the slab so hot water temperature loss through the pipe would be less.

[Buckeyephan]

Update: Plumber just left. Company sent out a different guy. He checked out many things and of course, couldn’t duplicate the problem. Replaced the toilet innards, including fill/flush valve. No trip or labor charge and $31.95 for parts. Crossing fingers this solves the problem. Thanks for the suggestions. Good to know we weren’t the only ones who have had this problem.

[New Englander]

With very stable ground temps and our houses being built on slabs, with no basements the odds of having a toilet hot water mixing valves will be very slim; also, our houses are plumbed using a strict construction format---again go to youtube- and look for sound caused by bad fill valve

That's exactly what I thought.

[NoMoSno]

That's exactly what I thought.
Still required by code.
613.1
http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/thecode/20145edition/Code_Comparisons/Plumbing.pdf

[Chatbrat]

Mixing valves aka anti scald valves are required in showers-ONLY-

and to buckeyephan--hope he got the right toilet

[NoMoSno]

Mixing valves aka anti scald valves are required in showers-ONLY-

and to buckeyephan--hope he got the right toilet
Just built a house, they ARE required at the toilet.
(Marion County)

[retiredguy123]

Still required by code.
613.1
http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/thecode/20145edition/Code_Comparisons/Plumbing.pdf
I read your link, but I don't interpret it as requiring a mixing valve at the toilet or water closet. It just requires a temperature valve at the hot water source. No house I have ever owned or built had hot water piped to the toilets. Cold water only to the toilets. Can you provide a more specific code reference?

[anothersteve]

I think mixing valves and anti sweat valves are being confused with each other.
Steve

[C. C. Rider]

I think the sound the OP is hearing is caused by the fill valve which may need cleaned or replaced. The fill valve is kicking on when other water is being used due to the drop in water pressure in the line when the other water using appliance kicks on.

If the fill valve is kicking on at odd times without water being used elsewhere, it may be due to a leaky flapper which can be replaced easily.

Sometimes the fill valve gets a little dirt in it. This can be cleared out by first turning off the water supply to the toilet. Then press down and turn counterclockwise on the top of the valve about 1/4 turn. The valve cover will lift off.

Then, while holding a drinking glass (or similar) over the top of the fill valve, turn the water supply back on. This will blow water out of the top of the valve and the glass will deflect it back into the tank.

After 10-15 seconds of this cleaning out, turn the toilet water supply off again. Then replace the top of the valve by pressing it down and turning it clockwise about 1/4 turn. Then turn the water supply back on and do a function check.

[Two Bills]

I have the same problem with my pipes, but I found that taking charcoal tablets and pepermint often helps alleviate the problem.
I am confined to the lanai until the pipes clear!

[ckcapaul]

I have the same problem with my pipes, but I found that taking charcoal tablets and pepermint often helps alleviate the problem.
I am confined to the lanai until the pipes clear!

:1rotfl:

[Craig Vernon]

About two weeks ago, we started hearing a shrill noise coming from our guest bathroom. It sounds a bit like a smoke detector. We tracked it down to the pipes in the shower. The noise stopped when we ran water or flushed. Every time we hear it, water is being used by the dish washer or washing machine. We called a plumber and yesterday for $85 he told us that because the shower was rarely used, air was being trapped in the pipes. We should run water there once a week. Followed his instructions and today the noise came back while running the washer. The sink and toilet are used daily so they wouldn’t be the cause. Our house is 6 years old.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

There is an automatic air elimination valve that can be installed on your main feed water line or on individual feed water lines where this is a problem. Ask your plumber what the best permanent solution is based upon your water line configuration. Good Luck!

[mulligan]

I had the exact same problem, and it was, in fact, the fill valve inside the tank. Residue from dissolved limestone makes quite a mess around all water valves. Seemed most prudent to install a new valve purchased from Lowes for $10.

[marygalexa]

If you know what it is; why worry about it. Way too many other things to worry about.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

if you know what it is; why worry about it. Way too many other things to worry about.
AMEN The OP had the problem fixed and everyone is still giving opinions. Len

[C. C. Rider]

Maybe other people who are having the same problem would rather not call a plumber and spend $85 and then have to call the plumber back again and spend another $31.95 when, with a little information, they can fix the problem themselves for little or no money.

[graciegirl]

With very stable ground temps and our houses being built on slabs, with no basements the odds of having a toilet hot water mixing valves will be very slim; also, our houses are plumbed using a strict construction format---again go to youtube- and look for sound caused by bad fill valve

Here is the google;

sound made by bad fill valve. You tube - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=sound+made+by+bad+fill+valve.+You+tube&view=detail&mid=E3986CDC8160466F0459E3986CDC8160466F0459&FORM=VIRE)

[mulligan]

If you know what it is; why worry about it. Way too many other things to worry about.

Because it's costing you water !!