When I flush the downstairs toilet a loud noise starts from the cistern and continues until the water has re-filled. How can I stop it?

First thing I would check/replace is the toilet fill valve, and the second suspect would be the shut off valve supplying the toilet (loose washer). Sometimes you can find a "happy" spot to throttle the s.o.v by flushing the toilet and playing with the valve but I find it better just to replace the toilets fill valve and be done with it. Here is a video that may help you. Either repair is fairly simple, inexpensive and quick. Good luck! How to Repair a Toilet : Repairing Ballcock in a Toilet - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSpSWZ7Ibs0&feature=fvw)

: What you hear is the washer vibrating against the ballcock seat. The reason it stops when you turn the water on is that you have lowered the pressure by opening a valve. You can go at this two ways. (1) you can lower the pressure by turning the angle stop located below the tank until the noise stops or, (2) you can shut off the stop and remove the three screws on top and cup your hand over the top and just crack the stop enough to flush out any trash that may be in there. After you do that pull the washer out of its holder and flip it over in its holder and reinstall the top and float. One of the two should do the trick. If not click on back and we will go to plan B. Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. TOM