Water Noise = Leaky Toilet?

DIY_JC · 07-24-2008, 10:41 AM

I have a question regarding one of my toilets. I noticed a noise from the pipe leading to the toilet (upstairs master bedroom), which sounds like the water is continually running. It is not like the noise when the toilet is filling up after being flushed, but a faint water running sound and periodic gurgles. I figured I had a leak so I closed the valve (the sound stops when I close the valve) to let it sit while I was at work to determine if it was leaking from the bowl or from the tank. However, neither the bowl or the tank had changed water levels over a 8-10hr period. When I re-open the valve, the sound immediately starts again. Any ideas on what could be wrong? Right now, it is just an annoyance that I hear, but doesn't seem to have any other ill affect I can determine.

also- The sounds does not stop/start as it would if a leaky toilet caused the tank float to trigger a refill after it reached a certain point. It is a continuous sound...

KUIPORNG · 07-24-2008, 11:19 AM

Would it be possible very little water got flowing into the toilet bowel from your toilet tank... so little that you don't notice unless you see it closely...

if above is the case, you could have some dirt, like a hair or plastic..etc. in the tank that forbidding the cap being shut off completely, it is a easy fix, just clean the tank after all water is gone...

majakdragon · 07-24-2008, 11:29 AM

Remove the tank lid and look for water entering the tank. Make sure the water level is about 1/2 to 3/4" below the overflow tube. You should also see a small tube leading from the fill-valve to the overflow pipe. This assists in filling the bowl when flushed, but could be adding small amounts of water to the bowl. You will not notice a change in the water level in the bowl since it has a built-in trap that allows excess water to drain out.

mstplumber · 07-24-2008, 05:18 PM

Sounds like majak is right. Remove the small refill tube from the overflow in the center of the tank while the valve is open and see if any water is trickling out from it. If so you need to either clean out the fill valve or just replace it. If you need to replace it, I recommend a new product called the Hydroclean. It is a fill valve designed to save water while improving performance. It was invented by a plumber and it really works great. You can read a product review here: http://www.basicplumbingrepair.com/b...oduct-reviews/

Since the water level in your tank didn't change, you probably don't have a problem there. If you want to be sure, put a few drops of regular old food color in the tank and let it sit a while. If the water in the bowl changes color you have a leak, probably from the flapper.

DIY_JC · 07-25-2008, 10:16 AM

Thanks for the advice...

I took another look at it last night and thought you nailed it. The water was high, at the top of the overflow tube (if that is what it is called). I moved the valve control lower so it would shut off when the tank hit the low water mark thinking this would do it. After flushing and the tank refilled, the sound was still there. It sounds to me like the valve is not shutting all the way. I decided to replace the valve and picked one up last night (before seeing the last poster's recommendation) but I didn't put it in yet. I will replace it this weekend and let you know how it goes..

thanks,

Jeff

DIY_JC · 07-31-2008, 07:35 PM

I just wanted to follow-up and say that changing the valve fixed the problem....

thanks again,

Jeff