Screeching pipes

swoosie

Hello, I got woken up by a screeching noise behind my toilet this morning and its been going constantly all day. It will stop for a period if toilet flushed or tap run but will return. Think it might be an air blockage? Really cant afford to call out a plumber especially on a Sunday so advice greatly appreciated. many thanks

johnrregan

ok, this is a simple one. the screeching isnt the pipes, its the ball valve that fills up your toilet cistern. basically it requires a new washer. these are simple to fit yourself, when the ball valve washer is worn it doesnt seal correctly and the water passing the washer even a minute amount, will make a noise, sometimes a screech, sometimes a hammering noise, sometimes a low moan. lift the lid off your cistern and look at the valve, it will be either metal(brass) or plastic, what the valve is made from is an indicator of what sort of washer it needs. take a look, take a picture even and let me know what it is and i will tell you what to buy.
for the record, im a plumber by trade and have been for 27 years since i left school.

swoosie

Thank you very much for your reply. My toilet is part of a built in unit and has a wee hatch at the top. Looking in the hatch I cant see too much to be honest just a clear hose going from the flush button into a plastic box with a lid. Wish I had a normal cistern!

johnrregan

im assuming its relatively modern then?

johnrregan

the plastic hose as you say from the button the the flush mechanism isnt the problem, its the valve that lets the water into the cistern thats in need of attention.

swoosie

Will go and have a nosey and try to take the outer panel off for a better look

shippouk

johnrregan wrote: »

ok, this is a simple one. the screeching isnt the pipes, its the ball valve that fills up your toilet cistern. basically it requires a new washer. these are simple to fit yourself, when the ball valve washer is worn it doesnt seal correctly and the water passing the washer even a minute amount, will make a noise, sometimes a screech, sometimes a hammering noise, sometimes a low moan. lift the lid off your cistern and look at the valve, it will be either metal(brass) or plastic, what the valve is made from is an indicator of what sort of washer it needs. take a look, take a picture even and let me know what it is and i will tell you what to buy.
for the record, im a plumber by trade and have been for 27 years since i left school.

I read this with great interest johnrregan and wondered if you could advise me too,

I have just moved into a house built around the fifties, it's had the bath taken out and a walk in shower fitted (probably nothing to do with my problem?), right, when I run the hot water tap to fill the sink, basin or run the shower, after a minute or so there is a wailing sound (not banging or knocking) from the pipes. I am guessing that it is the hot water tank filling up from the cold water pipe but when I turn the cold tap on, the noise dissappears and starts again when the cold water tap is turned off. After I have turn off the hot water tap the noise last for about two to three minutes then goes quiet .

any suggestions please?

Thanks in advance,

shippouk.

keystone

shippouk wrote: »

I am guessing that it is the hot water tank filling up from the cold water pipe but when I turn the cold tap on, the noise dissappears and starts again when the cold water tap is turned off. After I have turn off the hot water tap the noise last for about two to three minutes then goes quiet.

I'm guessing its the ball valve in the cold water tank in your roof. Same diagnosis based on data provided although in your case it probably will be the washer rather than the diaphragm (does the same job) in the OPs case.

Cheers