The most common cause of a vibrating sound in the walls when you flush is an issue with the toilet's fill valve – specifically, its diaphragm gasket. When this small part wears out, it becomes stiff and less flexible.
There's no mistaking when you've experienced the “water hammer” effect. This is when you hear loud thuds or vibrations in your walls after flushing the toilet, or while running the laundry. The “hammering” happens when the water “hammers” into a valve that is closed when it should be open.
A refill tube not lining up correctly or a faulty toilet flapper can make the toilet sound like it's flushing independently.
Comments Section It may just be someone that isn't used to living in a space where they can hear other people. This can be pretty common in condos and apartment buildings. Unless there is actual issue with the plumbing, toilet flushing sounds would not be considered unreasonable.
The flapper is worn or damaged, and leaking. The float on the fill valve is adjusted too high, causing water to flow out of the overflow tube. The fill valve is defective and overfills the water so that it flows out the overflow tube.
When pipes quickly change temperature, you may hear a dripping sound in the wall from the condensation that forms. Condensation typically occurs in the summer and winter months because of rapid temperature fluctuations.
High Water Pressure in Your Pipes
One of the possible reasons that you're dealing with noisy pipes after flushing your toilet is that the water pressure in your home is too high. More often than not, turning on some of the other fixtures in your house should make the same noises as your toilet.
As the water level in the tank rises, a float lifts and eventually shuts off the water. Your float can be adjusted to shut off water flow at different levels. If your float is too high, water will constantly drain into the overflow tube, which can make it sound like your toilet is constantly running.
Sometimes pipes will moan because there is a valve that is not fully open. Check under your sinks, toilets, and washing machine, and make sure that all of the valves are all the way open. Ask your neighbors to check theirs, too. Check the main water supply valve to the house, too.
Ghost flushing, or phantom flushing, occurs when your toilet tank refills independently without anyone pressing the handle. Water leaks from the tank into the bowl, causing the fill valve to activate periodically to refill the tank. It's similar to your toilet flushing itself, but it's just refilling.
WATER RESONANCE:
By reducing the speed by the incoming water we can stop the resonance noise that is occurring. b). If a PerforMAX® Fill Valve does not stop the problem then the buildup of debris in your shut off valve is so severe we recommend replacing the shut off valve at the wall.
What to do about ghost flushing in this case? Take the refill tube from your overflow pipe and leave it outside. This is a temporary solution that usually works but you should still call a professional plumber and schedule a visit for for a more long-term fix.
This sound can happen intermittently and occur every few minutes or every few hours. Such a refill sound is usually alerting you that your toilet is losing water, either internally (if there's no water on the floor or exterior of toilet) or externally leaking if you see water outside the toilet.
Cause: clogged pipes
With partially blocked pipes, you might hear that dripping sound more persistently, because it's taking longer for that water to get through. You can use solutions like baking soda or vinegar to try to unblock the pipes. If the dripping sound doesn't go away, it might be time to call a plumber.
The most common are: Leaky toilet valves. Malfunctioning fill valves. Calcium deposits have built up on the inside of the pipes.
An older home may make some creaking and grinding sounds, as the building material shifts or a strong wind blows. But plumbing noises are usually a bad sign. You should know what plumbing noises to listen for, so that the next time you hear a crack, bang or boom, you'll know what to do.
Should I Look Into My Sewer Lines? Remember, a gurgling sink every time a toilet is flushed can indicate problems with your sewer line. Problems may include a small or huge blockage, but a sink gurgles more due to improper ventilation. You don't need to use a sewer auger to examine your pipes immediately.
A vibration in your walls can also be the result of something called the “water hammer” effect. When you have a water hammer, this means that the water in your pipes is hitting up against a valve that is shutting off too quickly, or “hammering.” This happens often with toilet fill valves and faucets.
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Noisy flushing can be caused by dirty or faulty valves, clogs, loose pipes, mineral build-up, and sudden changes in water pressure due to faulty plumbing.
When the toilet's automatic water valve shuts abruptly, the rushing water has nowhere to go and “crashes” into itself. The dispersal of energy pushes against the pipes and that's why you hear knocking. It's crashing water with nowhere to go. We call this a “water hammer.” It is merely a water pressure spike.
To start, unscrew the nuts that hold the flush valve securely to the tank. In some cases, you may need a screwdriver to hold the bolts from inside the tank while loosening the nuts. Once the nuts are loosened, carefully remove the old flush valve, making sure that all the components are properly detached.
There may be a blockage in your pipes. Along with toilet groaning, a blockage can cause your toilet to back up, and you may notice a foul smell coming from the drain. Blockages can lead to large issues, so do not wait to call a licensed plumber to address the problem.