skip to main content

Plumbing Bathrooms

Noisy toilet pipe

last year

last modified: last year

We recently purchased a house and one of the biggest reason for purchasing it is that it has a guest bedroom on the 1st floor. It is located directly under the master bathroom on the 2nd floor.

Well after we moved in we noticed that the pipe from the master bath toilet goes through the walls of the guest room, specifically, that wall where the bed is. Each time we flush the master bath toilet, the pipe makes this huge noise. We had a plumber coming in doing a general inspection and when we brought up this issue, he initially said, it's common. However when we demonstrated it to him, he was surprised at how loud it is but says he doesnt have any suggestions on how to fix it.

Has anyone experienced similar issues and how did you remedy it? We did some online search and seems that one way is to replace the PVC pipe with metal pipe. But seems like a big project.

Thank you.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

woodbutcher_ca
last year
Hello,

Intake or drain? If intake close the valve about halfway see if that helps. The drain is much harder. Most time to avoid the problem they use cast iron. Another possibility is to drill a small hole every couple feet in the wall (not the pipe) and use some spray foam to insulate for sound. But wait to see if you get any negative responses, I never done this but maybe some and else has or has a better idea.

Good Luck Woodbutcher
Imma S thanked woodbutcher_ca
Imma S
Original Author
last year
@woodbutcher_ca Unfortunately it is the drain :(

yes we thought about converting it to cast iron which seems to be a big project for a small (but very very annoying!) problem. Spray foam to insulate the sound sounds like an eaiser alternative, but I am wondering how effective it might be. Thanks for the inputs!
Related Discussions
newly remodeled bath- NOISY pipes- help?
Q
Comments (7)
I didn't realize that your walls were closed. You could do it from the bedroom side, you just have to do a more careful patch job since you will be able to see the drywall. Insulation isn't typcially added around pipes, so it isn't something a contractor would automatically do. We chose it put insulation between all of our rooms to help reduce noise. Also, you could access the pipes from the inside of your cabinet if you cut the back of the out. The thought does make me cringe, but there again, how often does anyone get down on the floor and look at the back /inside of the cabinet?
...See More
noisy water pipe???
Q
Comments (5)
Water hammer. The momentum of the water makes the pipes hammer and move when the valve closes, creating noise. Long term it can damage the pipes (mostly by weakening the joints). A water hammer arrestor can be attached to the line near the quick acting valve and absorb the momentum. It is just an air chamber that uses the momentum of the water to compress the air in a sealed chamber.
...See More
noisy drain pipes
Q
Comments (2)
Best solution is to replace the (probably plastic) drain pipe with cast iron, but that is an expensive and big job. Alternatively, you can install sound insulation around the pipes (looks like regular fiberglass bats, but are designed specifically to reduce noise), which requires opening the walls. Not much else you can do, except maybe earplugs.
...See More
noisy heater pipes in wall - who to call
Q
Comments (3)
I would call an experienced, accredited hydronic heating specialist to diagnose and identify the source of the problem and propose a sensible course of action from there. Opening the walls to see what’s there might not be necessary or sensible since what’s there has always been there with no problem. It’s quite possible the source of the noise has its origins elsewhere in the system and you might not have to open the walls at all. You don’t know but it would be good to find out before you find out that you didn’t have to. IMPO SR
...See More
wishiwereintheup
last year
I don't think you have much choice. The wall could be opened and the pipe insulated but who knows if there will be enough room for insulation, if it will really work and thirdly, going through all that trouble, you might as well take it out and install cast iron.
Imma S thanked wishiwereintheup
Imma S
Original Author
last year
@wishiwereintheup very good point! we are leaning toward that as well

Related Stories

LIFE 10 Things You Shouldn’t Flush Down the Toilet

By Reliance Home Comfort

Heed this professional advice on what should not go down the toilet and how to unclog a toilet

BATHROOM DESIGN Sink Pipes Worth Seeing

By Scheer & Co. Interior Design

Decorative Options Let You Get Creative With Those Fixtures Under the Sink

HOME TECH Meet the New Super Toilets

With features you never knew you needed, these toilets may make it hard to go back to standard commodes

VINTAGE STYLE Vintage Style: High-Tank Toilets

By Mary Jo Bowling

Homeowners are adding the feeling of yesteryear in today’s bathrooms

HOUSEKEEPING What to Do When Your Pipes Freeze

By Becky Harris

Here’s how to thaw frozen pipes and avoid having them freeze in the future

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Choose the Right Toilet

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Style, seat height, flushing options, color choice and more will help you shop for the right toilet for you

LIFE The Polite House: How to Deal With Noisy Neighbors

Before you fly off the handle, stop and think about the situation, and follow these steps to live in harmony

BATHROOM DESIGN Straight Flush: The Future of Toilets in the Home

By Mitchell Parker

Night lights, seat warmers and temperature-controlled bidets are here — and that’s just the beginning

DECORATING GUIDES Tricks to Hide Light Switches, Outlets and Toilet Roll Holders

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Embrace camouflage and other design moves to make these eyesores virtually disappear

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Tell a Construction Crew to Pipe Down?

If workers around your home are doing things that bother you, there’s a diplomatic way to approach them

Sponsored

More Discussions

Kitchen plumbing

11

kitchen Faucet Opinions Please

2

overwhelmed! free standing faucet match champagne bronze delta

2

Pfister Contempra Shower

0

Need help identifying a bathroom faucet.

0