Toilet Making Strange Noises: No-Fuss Troubleshooting Guide

If your toilet's been gurgling, humming, or banging lately, you're not alone. Many homeowners across St. George and surrounding suburbs deal with their toilet making strange noises at some point. While it might seem harmless at first, a toilet making strange noises is often a sign that something’s off—and it’s worth paying attention to before things get worse.

As your local plumber, we’ve seen it all. From foghorn-flushes in Kogarah to late-night ticking sounds in Hurstville, strange toilet noises typically indicate plumbing issues that require attention sooner rather than later.

What Kind of Noise Is Your Toilet Making?

1. Gurgling or Bubbling

This sound typically indicates an airflow issue in your plumbing system. It could be a blocked drain, an obstruction in the vent pipe, or a partial clog somewhere down the line. The noise often happens when other plumbing fixtures in your home are in use—like when you’re doing laundry or running the shower—and the toilet starts to make a bubbling or gurgling sound.

You might be tempted to ignore it if the toilet still flushes normally, but it’s best not to wait. These kinds of blockages can build up over time, and before you know it, your toilet could back up completely.

Pro Tip: If you’re confident it’s a minor clog, you can try using a plunger—but if the issue persists, especially across multiple drains, give us a call. We’ve helped numerous homes in St. George and nearby suburbs resolve stubborn drainage issues before they became costly emergencies.

2. Foghorn or Humming Sound

A loud humming or foghorn-like noise when flushing usually indicates a faulty fill valve. This valve regulates the flow of water back into your toilet tank after a flush. Over time, the internal parts can wear down, causing strange vibrations or resonance in your plumbing.

You may also have a loose or ageing washer inside the valve assembly. The foghorn sound is often caused by high-speed water flow moving past a worn-out washer, producing that deep rumble that echoes through your bathroom walls.

Pro-Tip: In our experience, if your toilet makes a humming noise and it’s an older model, it’s probably time to replace the fill valve. We’ve replaced dozens of them in homes throughout the Sutherland Shire, and it’s a quick, cost-effective fix that restores quiet.

3. Ticking or Tapping Sounds

Ticking usually occurs when pipes expand or contract due to changes in water temperature. If the pipes aren’t properly secured, you’ll hear tapping or clicking sounds as they shift and move against brackets or framing.

Sometimes the sound comes from behind walls, which makes it tricky to locate. In other cases, it might come from exposed piping under your sink or near the cistern. Left alone, this can damage pipe joints or fittings over time.

If you’ve recently had renovations or pipework done, it’s worth checking to see if any new fittings were left unsecured. Otherwise, the best course of action is to have a plumber inspect the area and secure the pipes as needed.

4. Knocking or Banging

This one can be alarming—it usually sounds like a loud bang or knock right after you flush or turn off a tap. This is a textbook case of water hammer, which happens when fast-moving water hits a closed valve and sends a pressure shock through your pipes.

High water pressure makes this worse. Many older homes in the Inner West or even in parts of Kogarah were built before modern plumbing standards and don’t have water hammer arrestors installed. These little devices absorb the pressure and prevent that loud, sudden noise.

If you’ve noticed this more frequently, it could be a sign that your water pressure is too high or that your current arrestors are worn out.

Easy Troubleshooting Tips (But Don’t Overdo the DIY)

Listen closely. 

Try to pinpoint when the noise happens. Is it right after flushing? While the tank is refilling? Or randomly in the middle of the night? That helps narrow down the source.

Check inside the cistern. 

Remove the lid from the toilet tank and flush it. Look and listen closely. A vibrating fill valve will be obvious. If the water continues to run or refill abnormally, something inside likely needs to be replaced.

Inspect visible pipes. 

Look under the bathroom sink, behind the toilet, or near the walls. If you spot any pipes that seem loose, or if they vibrate when water’s running, they might need to be secured with new brackets or clips.

Review your home’s water pressure. 

If your taps blast water out with force, your pressure might be too high, which increases the risk of water hammer. You can use a basic pressure gauge to check this—but we recommend letting a plumber handle any adjustments to avoid damaging your system.

That said, if you’ve tried the simple stuff and your toilet still sounds like it’s haunted, it’s time to give us a call. Persistent, loud, or multi-fixture noises are not something you should ignore.

What if I want to avail myself of services for my toilet that is making strange noises?

If your toilet’s making weird noises and you’re ready to fix it without the fuss, we’re just one call away. We don’t charge a callout fee, and we offer same-day 24/7 service, so you’re not left waiting when things get noisy. 

If you’re a senior, you’ll get 15% off, and we also take $150 off new hot water systems if your issue is part of a larger upgrade. We’ve proudly helped families and businesses in St. George, Kogarah, and nearby areas keep their bathrooms running quietly and smoothly. Let us do the same for you.

FAQs About Toilet Making Strange Noises

Why does my toilet make a weird sound?

Weird toilet sounds often mean something’s off with the fill valve, there’s a partial clog, or your pipes are vibrating. The exact noise gives us clues on what’s going wrong.

Why do my pipes sound like a foghorn when I flush the toilet?

That usually means the fill valve is either old or faulty. Replacing the valve typically solves the problem.

Why is my toilet making a ticking sound?

This is likely caused by your pipes expanding or contracting due to changes in temperature. It could also be due to slightly loose fittings. Insulating or securing the pipes can help.

Why do I hear a tapping noise in my bathroom?

That’s often the result of water hammer or pipes that aren’t properly fastened. It’s best to have a licensed plumber secure those pipes to prevent further damage.

Why is there a knocking sound in my toilet?

Knocking usually means there’s water hammer caused by high pressure. You may need to install or service a water hammer arrestor to stop the sound.

When Should You Call the Pros?

If the sounds don’t go away or they’re getting worse, it’s time to bring in a professional. At All Needs Plumbing, we offer emergency repairs 24/7 and always provide upfront quotes—so there are no surprises. We back all our work with a lifetime labour warranty, and with over 10 years of experience serving St. George, Sutherland Shire, and nearby suburbs, you can trust us to fix it right the first time.

We’ve helped thousands of locals enjoy a quieter, more comfortable bathroom. Let’s fix those strange toilet noises—before they become something bigger.Visit our website or call us to book your service today.

Available 24/7 For Emergency

1300 110 230 Get a Free Quote