By Kerry Hale

Bathroom Problems You Should Never Ignore

  • Wednesday 2 October 2024
  • 5 minute read

The bathroom is one of the most important spaces in your home. However, it’s also a hotspot for potential issues. From mysterious radiator and toilet noises to faulty lights and extractor fans, the bathroom is a common place for problems.

It can be tempting to brush off what seem to be minor noises and faults. But there are some bathroom problems you should never ignore and which demand immediate attention.

Read on to discover our top nine bathroom problems you shouldn’t avoid.

1. Dripping tap

A common issue in bathrooms is a tap that drips despite being turned off. It’s not usually an emergency, but the longer you leave it, the more it could cost you in water bills.

The culprit behind dripping taps is often limescale buildup on the rubber seals, which causes wear and tear and leaks. If you have a single-lever mixer tap, the cartridge inside could be causing the issue. Both are simple fixes – remove the faulty rubber seal or cartridge and replace it.

If it’s your showerhead that’s dripping, our in-depth guide can provide further assistance.

2. Noisy toilet

Many things can cause a noisy toilet. If the noise comes after flushing, it could be due to a dirty or corroded seal in the toilet fill valve. Check the toilet fill valve and clean it – if that doesn’t work, replace it, and it should resolve the issue.

A gurgling sound could indicate a blockage in the drain. Plunge the toilet to unclog it. If that doesn’t work, use a toilet auger to snake the toilet. Alternatively, check the vent stack, and if you find any debris, clear it and flush it.

3. Banging radiator

If you notice noises such as banging or knocking coming from your radiator, it could indicate a problem. The radiator being air-bound, loose valves and piping, and dirty boiler water are all issues that can lead to your bathroom radiator not working properly. 

If your radiator is air-bound, bleed the pipes to release the excess air pressure. This should help heat distribute evenly across your radiator and reduce noise.

Alternatively, call a professional. They can either power flush your heating system to remove debris and clean the boiler water or check and resolve any loose piping that may be causing excessive noise.

4. Whistling windows

If you hear a whistling sound coming from your bathroom window when it’s windy outside, it’s likely there’s a gap somewhere. The most common cause of this is if the window’s sealant has deteriorated, allowing wind to pass through. This is something you shouldn’t ignore, as it wastes energy and costs you money.

Fortunately, it’s simple to fix. Check the window thoroughly to identify the fault and fill in or reseal any gaps.

5. Hissing fixtures

If you’re hearing hissing sounds coming from your bathroom fixtures, it could be due to high water pressure. This noise is one you could do without, but it can also put more stress on your wallet due to increased water bills. Installing a pressure regulator can resolve this issue by maintaining normal PSI levels.

6. Wall thudding

Hearing a loud thudding noise when you turn off a tap in your bathroom? This is another indicator that your water pressure may be too high. As with the hissing fixtures, installing a regulator can help. You could also fit air chambers or shock absorbers into the pipes – these compress when you turn a tap off and cushion the thudding noise.

7. Whooshing shower

If you hear a whooshing sound when you turn on your shower, it’s likely due to a buildup of mineral sediment in the pipes or hot water heater. This issue is more common in areas with “hard water.” When this happens, the best thing to do is call a professional who can clear it out.

8. Broken bathroom light

Perhaps a simpler fault than others on this list, but if your bathroom light is not working, you shouldn’t wait to get it fixed. If you don’t fix it, you may end up having to shower in the dark, which is dangerous.

If it’s the bulb that’s faulty, replace it with a new one. If you have a pull cord light and think that’s what’s causing the issue, unscrew the cover and either reattach it or install a new one.

9. Faulty fan

The extractor fan plays a vital role in your bathroom. It keeps your bathroom ventilated and removes moisture created by hot water before it condenses back into liquid form, helping prevent mould and other issues.

There are several potential reasons your bathroom fan may not be working, including:

  • Motor failure – If the motor is no longer functioning, it’ll need replacing.
  • Tripped circuit breaker – Easy to fix; just reset it.
  • Faulty fan switch – If the fan switch is broken, you’ll need to have it replaced by a professional.
  • Vent pipe issues – The fan’s vent pipe can become clogged due to various factors. If this is the case, get a professional to unclog it. 
  • Clogged fan cover – The fan housing can become dirty over time and reduce airflow. It’s easy to clear out with a small brush or vacuum.


Found an issue with your shower that you can’t fix yourself? Check out our shower repair service, book one of our experts and have everything sorted in no time.

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