Why Is Your Toilet Squealing (and What to Do About It)
When toilets aren’t working properly, they let you know by hissing, squealing, banging, and loud moaning. Strange noises in the toilet have a number of causes —from water flow problems caused by debris and clogs in the plumbing to failed pipes and valves in and around the toilet—so it’s important to identify the specific sound and diagnose the problem before you begin. disassembly and replacement of parts.
If your toilet squeals or whistles after flushing, you’re likely dealing with a faulty fill valve. The fill valve controls the amount of water that fills the tank, and it can wear out and need to be adjusted or replaced to ensure the toilet flushes smoothly. Here’s how to silence your toilet with a new fill valve.
How to replace a toilet filler valve
The only part you’ll need for this job is a new fill valve, which you can purchase on Amazon or any home improvement store for about $15. DIY YouTuber Jeff Ostroff offers a helpful video on replacing a toilet fill valve if you need visual instructions, but here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Locate the water shut-off valve behind the toilet (connected to the wall) and turn the lever so it points 90 degrees away from the hose.
- Flush the toilet to drain the water and place a bucket or container under the toilet tank to catch the excess. Remove the top of the tank and set it aside.
- Unscrew and disconnect the hose from the tank, and then the plastic nut securing the fill valve.
- Pull out the old fill valve. Use it to set the height of the new fill valve. (The top of the valve should be approximately three inches above the overflow pipe.)
- Install the new fill valve into place in the tank. Attach the clamp to the tube and the clamp to the overflow pipe. Make sure the tube does not interfere with the flush lever.
- Reinstall the valve nut and hand-tighten it. Reconnect the water supply line and hand tighten.
- Turn on the water supply and wait until the tank is full. Adjust the float higher or lower so that the water is directly at the fill line.
Ostroff also notes that now is the time to evaluate your water supply hose. If you have a rubber line, consider replacing it with a steel hose. If it is steel but worn, rusty or green, replace it as well.