My Toilet Makes a Constant Hiss Sound

Question

Every night and every day, my toilet is hissing and hissing and hissing. It's as if it is always flushing slowly. I'm worried the toilet is wasting too much water. The noise also drives me nuts, especially when I can't fall asleep at night. How can I make it go away?

Asked by Samantha

Here's What We Said

You're right, the toilet is continuously wasting water; you could definitely save a chunk on your water bill once you get this problem fixed. The problem lies with the fill valve of your toilet, which is the assembly found within the tank of the toilet. There are a number of possible issues with the fill valve assembly that could cause your problem. Your best bet would probably be to replace the assembly. Before you do so, there are a couple of simple things you could try first.

• Try lowering the maximum water level in your tank by adjusting the float. Sometimes the water level is too high and water spills [incorrectly] into the overflow tube.
• Make sure there is no sediment in the fill-valve diaphragm.

If these options fail, try replacing the flush-valve assembly. Alternatively, you can call your favorite local plumber in Toronto, and they should be able to replace it quickly and at a standard low service price. It may also turn out that the technician will avoid replacing the entire assembly by repairing a smaller part within, saving you money.