Strange plumbing noise

[CarCrazyRDM]

Since this forum doesn't have a dedicated plumbing section I wasn't quite sure where to put this. But there are a lot of knowledgeable folks on here with quite a wide variety of backgrounds and experience so I am hopeful someone can guide me in the right direction with this question.

I have a townhouse that my wife and I rent that is having a very strange plumbing related issue. It's best illustrated by the below video but the quick summary is that after the flushing the upstairs guest bathroom toilet an odd humming/rattle occurs in what seems to be the drain pipe. I don't know if there is a blockage in the pipe and a vacuum is being created as water backs up and then flows through a small orifice or if a vent is blocked somewhere creating a vacuum or back pressure of some sort. Or if there is some kind of valve in the drain line that is malfunctioning (but I don't think there are valves in drain lines). And I hear no such noise after flushing either of the other two toilets in the place or after running water in the shower/tub.

Obviously I am not a plumber, I only know the basics, but I know this isn't normal, lol. My tenant first mentioned it to me maybe 6 months ago but at that time it seemed to be intermittent and I was never able to hear the noise. She just recently moved out and informed me that it had been getting worse and seeming to last longer (up to 1 to 2 minutes after flushing). As you'll see in the video I had just flushed the toilet and it finishes refilling the tank and then moments later begins the noise. It definitely sounds/feels like a vibration coming from inside the wall. You can hear it in the bathroom and in the bedroom wall that backs up to this bathroom.

Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated. I called a plumbing company last week and described the issue over the phone but they didn't immediately have any advice except to check the fill valve and flapper... both of these are fine. I may send them out there this week to hear and inspect it in person but thought I'd see what folks on here had to say first. It may be something I can't fix anyway but I'm always up for doing it myself before paying someone else to if I am capable.

Thanks again,
Ryan



http://vid34.photobucket.com/albums/d106/CarCrazyRDM/Other/VIDEO0254_01_zpsxp2ccxdg.mp4

 

[sixty4]

I would replace the fill valve as a starting point on both toilets. Had something similar to this actually. I put in a fluild master ballcock and it solved the problem right away. The fill valve I suggest is a fast closing valve unlike the rod and float ball you have there, that could make that long humming sound you are having. Also make sure angle stop is not throttled down.

 

[Marks74ta]

The washer in the fill valve is bad. Replace fill valve

 

[Richard Cranium]

2nd the replace the fill valve.

 

[Larryjones]

Anti hammer chambers are waterlogged. Turn main water off and open all the valves to drain the water lines.

 

[CarCrazyRDM]

I'm not saying it can't be the fill valve but I'm just curious as to how that can be related when it only makes this noise after the tank is completely filled and no more water is flowing into the or out of the toilet?

Larry, I don't even know where these chambers you mentioned are or how they get "water logged" but this sounds more along the lines of what is happening... it sounds like a water hammer effect. How does this happen and is it something that will continue to happen... if this is the problem. I think I am going back over there tomorrow so I will definitely give this a try.

 

[55bigblockcid]

It sounds like the diaphram on a quickie vent.
Probably inside the wall or just above.
It allows air into drain pipe to vent instead of running out of roof or side wall.

 

[CarCrazyRDM]

It sounds like the diaphram on a quickie vent.
Probably inside the wall or just above.
It allows air into drain pipe to vent instead of running out of roof or side wall.

And something like this is why I'd like to diagnose and fix whatever it is before my new tenant moves in. Because if it is going to require going into a wall I'd rather do it now... especially since I am about to have all the walls painted in a little over a week.

Is there any way to view, access, or check such a vent without cutting open a wall?

 

[jhelrey]

Replace the fill valve before you do anything else. First off, it's old. Secondly, they do weird things when they start going out. If there is a toilet on the other side of the wall, replace both fill valves.

Sometimes think KISS... For $10, you can possible fix the issue. Replace the water line while you are at it.

 

[RECox286]

When it is making the noise, pull up on the tank ball rod to completely

shut off the flow of fill water. If the noise stops then you have a bad

washer in the fill valve. A new valve costs less than ten clams and only

takes about 15 minutes to change. Make sure the shut off valve under

the tank actually shuts off the water, it may need a new washer also.

Good hunting

Uncle Bob

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . all of this is a Snipe Hunt . . . !!

You just need to Bang the Wife more . . . and you'll never hear that damn terlet !!!

Seriously, pickup up fill assembly at hardware store and you'll be golden.

 

[Dberglind]

It sounds like the diaphram on a quickie vent.
Probably inside the wall or just above.
It allows air into drain pipe to vent instead of running out of roof or side wall.

It does sound a lot like a quickie or cheater vent to me as well.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

First off, do you pay any inside maintenance fees? If so, the maintnenance department should be fixing it, not you.

Replace the fill valve before you do anything else. First off, it's old. Secondly, they do weird things when they start going out. If there is a toilet on the other side of the wall, replace both fill valves.

Sometimes think KISS... For $10, you can possible fix the issue. Replace the water line while you are at it.

X2. Make sure the stop (valve on the wall that feeds the toilet) is fully open, too. They can make noises if they're partially shut.

It sounds like the diaphram on a quickie vent.
Probably inside the wall or just above.
It allows air into drain pipe to vent instead of running out of roof or side wall.

If lifting up on the float arm doesn't stop the noise, check to see if you have a quickie vent. It does sound like one. Somebody in the property management department should know if they were used and possibly where it would be located. It sounds like it would be close.


Tommy

 

[CarCrazyRDM]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I replaced the fill valves on both upstairs toilets today as well as turned off the main water valve and drained all lines of water. So I don't know which actually fixed the problem but afterwards I could not get the issue to return. Problem solved!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Good deal!

Tommy

 

[Larryjones]

I'm not saying it can't be the fill valve but I'm just curious as to how that can be related when it only makes this noise after the tank is completely filled and no more water is flowing into the or out of the toilet?

Larry, I don't even know where these chambers you mentioned are or how they get "water logged" but this sounds more along the lines of what is happening... it sounds like a water hammer effect. How does this happen and is it something that will continue to happen... if this is the problem. I think I am going back over there tomorrow so I will definitely give this a try.

Sorry, I missed your query. They should be hidden in the wall at each fixture. There are also mechanical ones, but I've only used the pipe stub. Here is a picture that should explain them.

 

[CarCrazyRDM]

Thanks for the diagram Larry. I have never encountered those before but at least now I'll have a better idea of what they are and/or where they are if I do run into them.