Noisy Loo off mains water!

Senseicads

So i am asking in a bit of hope really. So we had our old boiler removed and a combi boiler fitted in. All our cold water now runs directly from the mains waterline now.  The problem is that the toilet now sounds like Niagara falls!!! its so loud.  I used the little screw thing to reduce the flow into the loo, but reducing the flow enough to lower the volume then means it takes forever to fill up which is equally annoying. Is there anything that I can do to lower the volume? I did some googling and there were things around valves and stuff but I was struggling to understand a bit what a potential solution could be.  there was lots around banging noises and fog horn sounds and what not, but not about overall loudness beyond fiddling with the screw.  Am I stuck with a noisy loo?

nofoollikeold

WC inlet valves normally come with a flow reducer for use where the water pressure is high.  These are removed, and generally discarded, for low pressure inputs, such as yours used to be.  If you know the make of inlet valve you may be able to get a replacement flow reducer.  If not, you have two choices.
1. Replace the inlet valve for another, such as a Fluidmaster.
2. Replace the isolation valve with one having a built inflow reducer such as BES parts 17527 and 17530.  Note these together form a flow regulator, NOT a pressure reducing valve, but should have same effect as a flow reducer.  

shaun_from_Africa

Unless your plumbing skills are okay, this is something that will probably require a visit from a plumber.
It sounds as if the input pressure is too high for the inlet valve that's currently fitted and if this is the case, you have a few possible options.
1/ Get a pressure reducing valve fitted on the input,
2/ Get the inlet valve changed to one suitable for a high pressure input or
3/ See if the inlet valve that's currently fitted has a low/high pressure selector on it.

avoidtheupsidedownbottles

Another aspect is whether the noise is coming from the flow of water splashing into the cistern.  Some refill valves allow the outlet spout to be moved around to find a position where it might be less noisy.  Certain valves also discharge through a flat plastic tube which dips into the cistern water so reducing noise to a minimum.

FreeBear

avoidtheupsidedownbottles said: Certain valves also discharge through a flat plastic tube which dips into the cistern water so reducing noise to a minimum.

Had one of those - Darned thing started to sound like a fog horn every time the loo was flushed. Regardless of where the tube was routed, the noise would come back... Ended up replacing the f&@k... thing with this - https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-bottom-entry-brass-shank-fill-valve/5527f Much quieter, no bits of flimsy tubing flapping around, and very easy to adjust. Bit of a tight fit in my cistern, but I can live with that.

Niv

FreeBear said:

avoidtheupsidedownbottles said: Certain valves also discharge through a flat plastic tube which dips into the cistern water so reducing noise to a minimum.

Had one of those - Darned thing started to sound like a fog horn every time the loo was flushed. Regardless of where the tube was routed, the noise would come back... Ended up replacing the f&@k... thing with this - https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-bottom-entry-brass-shank-fill-valve/5527f Much quieter, no bits of flimsy tubing flapping around, and very easy to adjust. Bit of a tight fit in my cistern, but I can live with that.

Was just about to link to one of those (albeit from Toolstation). Takes longer to empty the cistern (if bottom feed) than it takes to fit. No need for a plumber! So much quieter, a pleasant surprise when I replaced the previously faulty ball valve, never going back to the ball valve thats for sure.

Senseicads

FreeBear said:

avoidtheupsidedownbottles said: Certain valves also discharge through a flat plastic tube which dips into the cistern water so reducing noise to a minimum.

Had one of those - Darned thing started to sound like a fog horn every time the loo was flushed. Regardless of where the tube was routed, the noise would come back... Ended up replacing the f&@k... thing with this - https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-bottom-entry-brass-shank-fill-valve/5527f Much quieter, no bits of flimsy tubing flapping around, and very easy to adjust. Bit of a tight fit in my cistern, but I can live with that.

thanks lots...I will try order one of those and try and fit...it looks like its just a screw type fit looking at it? see if that works...if not it might be a bit beyond my expertise and its plumber time! :-) thanks everyone!

avoidtheupsidedownbottles

FreeBear said:

Had one of those - Darned thing started to sound like a fog horn every time the loo was flushed. Regardless of where the tube was routed, the noise would come back... Ended up replacing the f&@k... thing 

Heh.  I briefly had a Torbeck in one place - they are supposed to be quiet as well.  It howled like a banshee . .  

FreeBear

Senseicads said: I will try order one of those and try and fit...it looks like its just a screw type fit looking at it? see if that works...if not it might be a bit beyond my expertise and its plumber time! :-) thanks everyone!

Assuming a bottom entry, the hardest part is draining the cistern before fitting. Once all the water is out, it is fairly easy to fit.

If you have a side entry cistern, you'll want a different model - Flomasta manufacture a range of fill valves..

Senseicads

I have a bottom entry cistern. The part should be coming this week so I will let you know how I get on! :-)

Senseicads

Just to round off the story...I replaced the part, it was really easy.  The hardest part was unscrewing the old part. I usedaa cleaning sponge just to soak up the water left in the cistern. There was a lot of it so it took a few minutes. Screwed the new piece in and turned it on and tried it.  All good!! I thought there was a leak I could see a couple of drips off the pipe.  So I tightened it up as much as I can but it was hard to tell if a leak was still happening. At most it was a few single drips so I put a little candle pot under the pipe to see if there was any leakage and I've left it now overnight.  Nothing wet in the pot so far.  So it looks like it's all sealed and ok so far.  I'm going to leave the pot underneath for a while yet and just keep checking it, just in case, but so far so good!! I was so nervous about doing this, thinking that if I messed up while under lockdown we'd be without a loo! but I should have had more confidence! Thanks for all the help guys!!! no doubt you'll hear from me in a months time saying my toilet leaks and its rotted through my floor boards! :-) but so far so good!