Toilet hissing

[Flyover]

I'm guessing this is a gasket issue, and I just need to clean or replace them, but I want to check with the experts first...

My house has 2 toilets and they both hiss a lot when they are flushed/refill. It's really loud. Sometimes they (or maybe just one of them, not sure) hiss randomly even when nobody's gone in the bathroom for hours.

Is there anything else that could cause hissing? If it is a gasket, is it necessarily the one at the bottom of the tank?

 

[nealtw]

The flapper valve is the thing that the chain pulls up is leaking and the toilet is refilling when it get to a certain level.
You may have a leak at the fill valve, you should be able to see it coming out of some place that does not seem like it should.
Rebuilding a toilet is not that big of deal. All new parts and it will work like new.

 

[oldognewtrick]

Go to any hardware store and the "guy" will tell you exactly what you need and how to do it. Sounds like a fill valve/ float issue...as Neal said, this is an easy diy.

 

[slownsteady]

Before you replace the valve, make sure that the flapper is sealing correctly. If water is leaking out through the flapper, the valve is only doing it's job by refilling the tank. The flapper could be seated a little crooked, or, as I have seen, the flapper may have a film of organic matter that is keeping it from sealing.

 

[Flyover]

Before you replace the valve, make sure that the flapper is sealing correctly. If water is leaking out through the flapper, the valve is only doing it's job by refilling the tank. The flapper could be seated a little crooked, or, as I have seen, the flapper may have a film of organic matter that is keeping it from sealing.

Yup, this is my guess too, and is why I suggested I would try cleaning it before replacing it. I did reach down in there and felt that filmy layer of slime, but elected not to clean it right then and there because I was in the middle of other things.

BTW, when I clean it can I just use "Dawn"-style dish soap, or do I need something special?

 

[joecaption]

Want to know if the flappers leaking into the bowl, add red food coloring to the tank and see if it shows up in the bowl.
Dish detergent is not going to do anything to clean it.
If the flapper is old replace it.
There's always some slime on a flapper seat, if there's a mineral build up try hitting it with some sand paper.
If there's a chain on the flapper make sure it's not to short holding it open, or is catching on something.
We have no pictures of what type flush valve you have now, if it's the old style with an arm and flush ball replace it with a new Fluid Master flush valve.

 

[slownsteady]

you can just wipe it down with a paper towel...that'll get you some mileage. Bleach will work, but if you have a septic system, you may not want to make that a habit.

 

[Mastercarpenty]

My preferred approach is to remove the tank, strip it down, then replace everything. The only part I generally leave alone is the flush handle as they rarely go bad. The two main advantages to this approach is that it's guaranteed 'one and done' since everything will be new, and more importantly the old rusty tank bolts will be easier to deal with next time around.
Under $25 in parts and a lazy hour or less time and you should be good for the next ten years Sure beats fixing another part on it next month!

Phul

 

[MrTed]

Sounds like your refill valve has gone. Check everything else around it is working properly first before replacing it.