Are you familiar with the sounds of your home? While some of the most commonly heard house sounds are snaps, cracks, and pops, the sources are not always identified; house sounds can sometimes be mysterious as they are fleeting and horrible. Many house sounds are innocuous, and have explanations; while some sounds are startling and may be a signal for professional attention.
Are you familiar with the sounds of your home? While some of the most commonly heard house sounds are snaps, cracks, and pops, the sources are not always identified; house sounds can sometimes be mysterious as they are fleeting and horrible. Many house sounds are innocuous, and have explanations; while some sounds are startling and may be a signal for professional attention.
Many noises that are heard in a home often originate from the drywall, joists, and studs. Often attributed to nails popping from drywall, settlement of a home as well as temperature related expansion and contraction is often the source of the sounds emanating from these components. Although settlement is expected in a home’s early life, it is not uncommon for settlement noises to occur anytime throughout a home’s lifespan for various reasons. A structural engineer can determine if these noises are cause for alarm and/or repair.
A home’s plumbing system is another source of interesting sounds. Popping and thumping noises can occur when pipes are in use; these sounds can even mimic a leaking sound. These noises are often attributed to the expansion and contraction of pipes in use (water traveling through pipes can cause temperature shifts), as well as excess pressure within the plumbing system. Additionally, pipes can also vibrate and be the source of melodic or unpleasant tones. If the pipes are not well secured, they can bang against joists and drywall. A licensed plumber can inspect and repair some of these issues.
Another source of strange and sudden sounds is the furnace. As the air flows through the system to heat or cool a home, the temperature change can make the air ducts expand and contract causing bangs and dings to be projected throughout the home. Although flexible dampers attached to the ducts can minimize noise, these noises can still occur. However, excessive or irregular noise emanating from your furnace may indicate a problem and should be inspected by a licensed HVAC professional.
Creeks and moans can often be heard coming from floors and stairs where the boards have become loose and/or the boards are rubbing together. Loose floor boards can be repaired by shimming or securing the boards.
Arc faults (electrical discharges) can make popping and snapping sounds that are sometimes mistaken for settlement sounds. Experts consider arc faults to be dangerous and need to be inspected and repaired by a licensed electrician.
Sometimes, noises can also be heard coming from the attic. Although the source of these noises can typically be attributed to animals and wind, loud roof truss cracks and pops should be taken seriously and be inspected by a structural engineer. Animals that nest in the attic are typically nocturnal, so they will usually go bump and thump at night. Additionally, wind flowing through the attic can create a variety of noises that are due to loose material being moved around by the wind within the attic space.
Hearing unexplainable noises in your home may not necessarily mean it is haunted; but rather there is usually a rational explanation. Although some house noises could be harmless, others could be a signal that something serious is happening. Some noises should be taken seriously and be inspected by licensed professionals; not only to reduce some of the noise, but to also repair a potentially dangerous situation.
By Dan Krell
©2011
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