When any faucet in the house is turned off, or the toilet flushed, or the washing machine finishes a rinse cycle, etc. we get the ship sound/vibrating in the pipes in the house. I read the post about a toilet flapper, but ours happens with any source of water in the house, up or downstairs...

Hey Max,

What you have is a pressure variation that changes pressure in the toilets ballcock I got this thing about toilets so humor me. Lift the lid off your toilet or toilets if more then one. With the tank full is the water level at least 1/2" under the white overflow tube? Now have someone open and close a faucet while you watch the float ball. Does opening and closing a faucet cause the float ball to bounce up and down and then the noise starts? Back to you. Cheers, Tom

Tom,
There is a water line mark on the white tube (not the ballcock assembly) and the water is at that level (it seems about 1/2" from overflow tube). With the top of the tank off, I ran the sink faucet for a few seconds, then turned it off. I didn't see the ball float move, other than vibrating when the noise started. However I saw some water bubbles come up from the bottom of the ballcock. I think I also hear some water leaking at the tank. This is a newer home (6yrs) with a plastic ballcock. Should I look at the gasket and/or tightness of ballcock shaft at base of toilet (I'm internet-educating myself here) or in your experience, should I look to replace the ballcock?
I've just double-checked, and this seems to be isolated to the lone downstairs bathroom.

Paul

Good work Paul,

Now run you fingers around the flat part of the flapper. If it's wavy or feels funny replace it. Let me know if it helps. Also, check the seat the flapper seats on. Any nicks or rough spots? When you ran the water you did use the cold side didn't you? I'll hang in there with you until you solve this bthing. I'm as interested in finding out as you are. Regards, Tom

Your response was spot-on, Tom. I picked up a new ballcock assembly, the kind with the float directly on the shaft, as opposed to using the ball-float. I installed it per the instructions on the box, that seems to have fixed it, I guess the ship has moved out to sea. I also picked up a new flapper, but the one on the tank seemed to seat OK. Thanks for responding with the good advice.
Paul

A ship sound? That's hilarious!