Toilet Ball Cock

• Toilets with a ball cock assembly make more noise after you flush, just by the design of the ball cock assembly. When you press the toilet’s handle, the flapper in the tank lifts up and lets the water in the tank escape. As the water level in the tank drops, the float opens the ball cock’s valve, letting new water pour into the tank. When the flapper closes back over the drain in the tank, the water level begins to rise. As the float’s level rises, the ball cock’s valve closes more and more, creating a variety of noises. Also, if the ball cock’s valve seal has worn out, the ball cock makes even more noise than is normal. If you are unsure whether your toilet has a ball cock, simply remove the tank’s cover. If you see the float sitting on the end of a metal rod or arm, your toilet has a ball cock assembly.
  
  

Replacing the Ball Cock

• To completely eliminate the noises made by the ball cock assembly, you must remove it and install in its place a flush valve like the ones found in modern toilets. Before you can remove any parts from the toilet’s tank, you must close the water supply valve. Locate the valve on the wall below the toilet, and then turn the handle clockwise until it stops. With the water supply valve closed, you need to flush the toilet and then either sponge or vacuum the rest of the water out of the toilet’s tank. You must remove the water supply line from the underside of the toilet tank, since it connects to the ball cock, and then you must remove the retaining nut on the end of the ball cock. The flush valve anchors to the underside of the toilet’s tank with a nut, and the water supply line threads onto the end of the flush valve on the underside of the tank.
  
  

Toilet Water Hammer

• Water hammer caused by a toilet occurs after the toilet’s tank finishes filling up with water. The fill valve in the tank cuts off the flow of water suddenly, sending a shock wave through the water supply pipe. The shock wave can cause pipes to bang against the house’s framing or any other objects near enough to the pipes.
  
  

Fixing Water Hammer

• While the noise from water hammer can be startling or annoying, water hammer may also pose a risk to your house’s water supply pipes. The shock waves from water hammer produced by your toilet may rupture the pipes or create leaks at the pipe connections. To eliminate water hammer, you need to hire a plumber to look at your house’s plumbing. The plumber may install arrestors to stop future water hammer, replace pipes or install new valves in the pipes.