Why does my toilet make a train noise when I flush?
That loud train noise at the start of a flush is typically caused by a vibration or restriction in the water supply line or valve assembly that persists even after replacing standard parts like the fill valve, flapper, and seals. Because the sound continues regardless of new hardware and a clear vent stack, homeowners are left dealing with a startling racket every time they press the handle.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Replacing internal plumbing components such as the fill valve, flapper, tank seal, and wax ringDid this help you?
- 2Turning the individual toilet water valves to slow the refill.Did this help you?
- 3Putting styrofoam peanuts in the tankDid this help you?
- 4Replacing the fill valve in the toiletDid this help you?
- 5Flushing all the toilets many times to clear potential trapped airDid this help you?
- 6Turning off the water supply to the toiletDid this help you?
- 7Treating the noise as completely normal and ignoring it.Did this help you?
- 8Replacing the fill valveDid this help you?
- 9Checking if a small hose inside the tank is out of placeDid this help you?
- 10Opening the tank lid to inspect the inside mechanismDid this help you?
- 11replacing the angle stop valve entirelyDid this help you?
- 12inspecting the toilet tank fill valveDid this help you?
- 13checking for a dislodged overflow hose in the tankDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“It's the sound whem flushing that concerns me, I want to make sure it's not indicating a larger issue before I start playing around.”source ↗
“In the video, you can hear as soon as I flush the toilet, it makes a "train" noise as my kids call it. It only happens at the beginning of the flush, and stops immediately after the bowl has emptied.”source ↗
“What's frustrating is I have already put in a brand new fill valve, flapper, tank seal/gasket, new wax ring, the vent stack is clear of obstructs, yet it still makes this sound.”source ↗
“It's very effective, but it is LOUD like an airplane lavatory.”source ↗
“You can feel it through the floor, and it makes my ears ring!”source ↗
“When any of them are flushed there’s a pipe moaning/fog horn type of noise coming from behind the wall of first floor utility room/closet where water heater is located and where all pipes enter the home.”source ↗
“I have a dual flush American standard toilet, and when I use the single flush button I get a loud thump sound shortly after releasing the button.”source ↗
“both of my toilets are doing the high pitched float valve skreeeee upon filling.”source ↗
“If I flush the toilet on the top level of the home the noise occurs on the ground floor. Wouldn’t a faulty fill valve cause this noise to occur at the impacted toilet itself?”source ↗
“We are hearing a high pitched spraying or pssssss sound when flushing.”source ↗
“I have a toilet that, after flushing, there is some creaking in the pipes heard from the floor (maybe 3-5 creaks).”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Why does my faucet honk when I close it?
- 2Toilet takes 30 minutes to fill up after flushing
- 5Loud slamming noise when watering system turns on
- 6Why is my tankless water heater making a squeaking noise?
- 10Why does my new smart toilet have a weak flush?
- 38Washer making a loud screeching noise during spin cycle