It’s not unusual for toilets to produce suspicious noises from time to time. If you detect a hissing sound, it’s likely that there’s an issue with one of the key components. Here are three common plumbing concerns that can cause this problem.

What Causes Your Toilet to Hiss?

1. Deteriorated Flap Valve

Situated at the base of the tank, the flap valve is designed to rise up when you flush the toilet and deliver water to fill up the bowl. All valves are fitted with a rubber washer that helps create a substantial seal in between flushing. Over time, that rubber piece may crack and lose its efficiency. That causes the water to leak consistently from the tank into the bowl and may cause the noise that you hear. You may be able to resolve this plumbing issue by turning off the water supply, flushing the toilet to drain the tank, and then removing the valve to clean the rubber component underneath.

2. Damage to Float

If the float is damaged, then you may hear a strange noise emanating from the toilet. This part is responsible for signaling when the flap valve should turn on and when it should stop. The float sinks whenever you flush the toilet so that the flap valve can push water into the bowl. As it rises back up, it sends a message to the fill valve to stop filling. When the float doesn’t rise as high as it should, the valve stays on, and water continues to attempt to push through the limited opening. This causes the water pressure to increase, creating a hissing sound. Your plumbing professional may recommend replacing the float in this case.

3. Overflow Tube Draining

Under normal circumstances, the flap valve prevents water from filling the tank as soon as it reaches the right level. Sometimes, however, this element isn’t calibrated correctly. That causes the tank to fill into the overflow tube, where it then continues to flow into the toilet. You may be able to stop the hissing by moving the valve just slightly so that it sits above the overflow tube.

Are you seeking a reliable plumbing service in La Crosse, WI? Serving the community since 1900, the professionals at Niebuhr Plumbing & Heating are the Coulee Region’s leading source for reliable plumbing and sewer cleaning services. When your toilet needs attention, these experts will assess and resolve the problem promptly. They also offer emergency services. Visit them online or call (608) 782-1700 to learn more.