Recently two Woodchucks reported that a hissing or low whistling noise started in their homes. One thought it was an electrical sound, but after checking each electrical appliance found nothing. He then noticed that when he turned on the water in the bathroom sink or the shower, the sound stopped. He then turned off the main water valve to the house. This also stopped the noise. Since turning off the water to the house was not an acceptable solution, he kept looking.
In the master bathroom, the noise seemed to be the loudest. He removed the cover to the toilet tank and wiggled the water fill valve. The noise stopped. He could start or stop the noise by moving this valve. Apparently some scale had built up on the inlet orifice which held the valve slightly open and caused the noise.
This valve is sealed so the orifice can’t be cleaned, but the toilet tank fill valve and flapper replacement parts are inexpensive, at about $10, and relatively easy to install. There is an instruction sheet with the replacement parts. Here is how to change the fill valve which is mounted in the tank.
1.Turn off the water supply to the toilet. The shutoff valve is located on the left side of the toilet and in between the bottom of the tank and the floor.
2. Remove the tank lid and flush the toilet with the water supply off, allowing the tank to empty. Use a rag to push the remaining water out of the tank drain located in the center of the tank and just beneath the rubber floating flapper.
3. Remove the fill valve and float from inside the tank.
4. Identify the fill valve and float from the kit for installation. It’s about 16-inches long and 1-inch in diameter. It has a float that pivots up and down on one end and a rubber washer and white, threaded nut on the other. Unscrew the nut, remove the washer, and insert the threaded end through the 1-inch hole on the far left of the tank. Reapply the black, rubber washer and tighten the threaded nut against the tank.
5. Reattach the water supply line located between the left corner of the tank, where the float and cock valve are attached, and the floor. Turn the water valve on and allow the tank to refill. Check for leaks in the water supply connection and at the connection between the tank and the seat.
Crosswalk law change
Last year, the Illinois legislature passed a law that requires cars to come to a complete stop when there is a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The word of this law has not reached Sun City, as anyone who walks and crosses Del Webb Boulevard can attest. Sec. 11-1002 of the law reads as follows.
Pedestrians’ right-of-way at crosswalks.
(a) When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
(b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a moving vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Fines for violating this law range from $50 to $500, but in Huntley, a fine of $120 will be assessed for violators. Please stop if you see pedestrians in a crosswalk. You may save yourself $120, and you may save a life.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home, submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com.
