AboutSharon McCarthy Expertise I can help with most questions about residential plumbing problems including septic systems, and some questions about irrigation. I have no experience with commercial installations or codes.
Experience I have been a sole-proprietor service plumber in two small towns north of Phoenix Arizona for 26 years.
Publications I had a monthly column in the United Steelworkers of America, local 1033, newsletter 1978 to 1982. I wrote an article for "The Theosophist" in 1977. I've written dozens of letters to the editor in many newspapers.
Education/Credentials High school and three years of college. My step-father, having worked 40 years in the plumbing trade in Chicago, taught me for two years. The rest has been hands-on experience.
Past/Present Clients Many hundreds of good people in Cave Creek and Carefree Arizona
Question i have a spetic tank- plumbing 25 yr old-recently upon flushing and toilet refilling - as it refills at the very ed when it is almost doe there is a noise before it fiishes is ther a clog in the vent pipe that there is not enough air
Answer Dear Lori,
The problem is the fill valve, or "ballcock". The part on the left side inside the toilet tank with the float on it. The water goes up through the supply tube and into the tank, then through the ballcock. The float controls the level of water in the tank.
The opening inside the ballcock, where the water goes through, is very tiny, maybe 1/8" in diameter. If a particle or tiny pebble gets into this thin pipe it will restrict the flow of water and will often cause a variety of noises, sometimes a whistle, a screech, a hammering, or in your case a "bang" when the float hits the top.
I've removed ballcocks and run a thin wire through the hole all the way up, but often the pebble is stuck in there and it's difficult to work it out. You can buy a replacement part at any hardware store. I always use the Fluidmaster ballcock, the whole part will cost less than $10.
You'll need to shut off the valve at the wall, and remove the supply tube. There is a nut under the tank that holds the old fill valve in place. Flush the toilet to empty the tank first! Also have a few towels on hand, there is always a little water left in the tank.
Remove the nut and lift the old unit out. The new Fluidmaster will have a rubber gasket in the box with a washer attached in the center, the washer pushes out. Put the gasket over the threads of the new unit and push it all the way up. Then place that into the tank and tighten it up underneath with the nut. That should do it!
