Causes of Creaks and Other Noises in a Home
- 1. Temperature Changes and Moisture Temperature can have a great effect on materials and as things heat and cool, they also expand and contract. ...
- 2. Loose Floorboards It’s very common to hear squeaking and creaking coming from floors. ...
- 3. Loose Hinges ...
- 4. Home Settling ...
- 5. Unfastened Gutters ...
- 6. Weather and Humidity ...
- 7. Pests Like Mice ...
- 8. Foundation Shifting ...
Why is my ductwork so loud?
Why does hot water make a popping sound?
What to do if your floor is popping?
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Why do I hear squeaking in my house at night?
Squeaking is often a mouse or possibly a rat, with their singing chatter a constant reminder of their presence. Bats make a few squeaking noises as well, but you're less likely to hear them squeak inside unless there's a large number of them living in the attic. Raccoons are actually the chattiest of them all.
Why does my house make squeaking noises?
If you hear the telltale sound of skittering, squeaking, scratching or buzzing coming from inside your walls, it may very well be exactly what you think it is—an unexpected house guest. From raccoons, mice and squirrels to birds, bees, and the dreaded rat, these critters can become unwanted tenants in our homes.
How do I stop my house from squeaking?
2:536:27How to Quiet a Squeaky Door | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYeah all right so if i was dealing with a squeaky hinge like that the first thing i would grab isMoreYeah all right so if i was dealing with a squeaky hinge like that the first thing i would grab is some multi-purpose oil right here that you get at the hardware. Store or the home. Center.
When should I be worried about creaking house?
If there are loud, deep sounds emanating from beneath your house, you may want to get it looked at. Older houses may be more likely to have this problem, but this is where the misconception that age causes creaks comes from. As a house ages, it may be more likely to make these sounds.
Why do I hear deep squeaking coming from in my walls?
The Scratching, Squeaking, and Everything in Between Vocal sound effects, such as squeaking could mean mice or rats. The fluttering and flapping is often a bird or bat in the rafters or stuck in the walls. These are typical sounds common to wildlife with a cause that's easy to determine.
Are squeaky floors a structural problem?
Creaking floors are a sign of issues with your home's foundation. That also means your home might experience structural damage. A foundation shifts, moves, and settles over time due to various factors such as expansive soil and moisture. Your flooring and subflooring does not always adjust properly to these changes.
Why do old houses squeak?
In an older home, changes in humidity levels, such as dry air in the winter and moist air in the summer, cause the wooden floorboards to contract and expand. Those fluctuations can cause the nails holding the boards down to become loose, so that they squeak when people step on the floor.
Is it normal for houses to make random noises?
The many materials that make up your house — wood framing, plywood, glass, metal ducts, nails, plumbing pipes — all expand and contract at different rates. When a house cools at night, these materials may move slightly, rubbing against each other and making noises. Occasionally, they'll contract with an audible pop.
Is it normal for a house to make popping noises?
That loud popping noise you've noticed your house or deck making isn't a poltergeist or structural issue. Instead, it's the friction between your home's building materials as they contract and expand at different levels. Extreme cold air reduces the moisture content in the building materials, causing them to shrink.
11 House Noises You Should Never Ignore | Bottom Line Inc
Humming or buzzing noises from a lighting fixture could point to a loose wire as well—but with lights, there’s a good chance that something else is to blame. If the humming light is on a dimmer switch (or the dimmer switch itself is humming), replace the bulb with a different type of bulb or one made by a different company.
House started to make cracking and popping sounds at night?
Hi all This has only just started, I've been in my house for several years. I recently had the upstairs replastered with new skirting boards and arhivtrave fitted. It appears that since then every night in the early hours there are really load cracking/popping noises that sound like they are...
How to fix creaking hinges?
The Fix: This one is pretty easy to fix because all you need is some lubricant. Unless your hinges are seriously rusty, you could just spritz a bit of lubricant and let it seep in. After that, the creaking noise will be over and done with, leaving you some peace and quiet in your home.
Why does my house creak?
The most common causes of creaks in a home include temperature fluctuations causing expansion and contraction of home materials, loose floorboards, home settling, loose hinges , unfastened gutters , and other reasons covered below.
Why do gutters creak?
If you hear a very faint creaking noise that’s happening outside of your home, it could be coming from your gutters. If they are not fastened correctly, any bit of wind or a small critter crawling will make them creak. You may only notice when you have more severe weather or they may be loosened to the point that any little movement will make them creak. Either way, it can be annoying and something that you should take care of quickly.
How do you know if your home is settling?
Setting refers to the natural process in which your home slightly shifts over time due to the shifting and compression of soil beneath the foundation. This process can cause a home to sink a number of inches after the first few years after a home is built, but as stated above, this is a natural process and normally nothing to worry about. These changes are subtle and don’t normally come with a lot of noise each and every day but, every once in a while, you’ll hear a creak or a pop from the movement. The most telling sign that settling is happening is the appearance of cracks here and there, especially close to the bottom of the walls where the floorboards meet.
What does a crack in a stair step look like?
Stair-step cracks are cracks that typically form at the base of the home. They look like start-steps (hence the name) and are usually some of the first signs that pop up when the level of moisture below the home starts to change. If you see really deep and wide cracks or see bulging around the crack, that’s a sign you should dig in deeper.
Why does my basement floor make a noise when it's hot?
The best thing you can do in these situations is to add moisture when it’s hot and making sure that your draining system is pumping water a safe distance from the foundation so that it doesn’t cause damage to your home further on down the road.
What does an L-shaped crack in a house mean?
L-shaped cracks typically show up when homes are sitting on an incline or are in an area where there are more hills around. These cracks take on the shape of an “L” and may be accompanied by other visible signs as well. These cracks are generally telling of shrinkage under the foundation. Luckily, these kinds of cracks can be filled pretty easily, so they’re not something you should fret about.
What causes a house to expand and shrink?
The external forces of nature play a role in thermal expansion and contraction. Hot, dry weather causes the soil beneath a house to contract and shrink away from the foundation. Alternatively, excess rain or flooding causes soil to expand, applying pressure to the foundation. Managing the ground around your house by watering the soil during hot, dry weather and setting up a drainage system to prevent water pooling are easy ways to maintain your foundation.
Why does my house make a noise?
The most common reason for a house to make noises is temperature changes in the air , or what is known as thermal expansion and contraction. The temperature changes cause the wood, metal and other materials in the house structure to expand and contract, resulting in ominous creaks.
Why does my water hammer make a noise in my house?
The other house noise, water hammer, occurs when the faucet is turned off. Water is very heavy (about eight pounds per gallon) and as it runs through the pipes it picks up speed and a centrifugal force that shakes the pipe when it is turned off. The solution is to better secure the pipe to the framing it is attached to and also to install a water hammer arrestor which is basically a shock absorber for your plumbing system. The good news is that while both of these pipe sounds are annoying, they rarely cause any plumbing damage whatsoever.
Why does my house make a noise behind the wall?
Knocking behind walls: Most likely this house noise is a plumbing problem. There are two common causes of pipe noises: expansion and what is known as water hammer. If a copper pipe is not snugly attached to wood studs in your wall, it rubs on the wood as it expands.
How to keep cold air out of house?
The exterior walls of your home are like swiss cheese, and each “hole” (for a window, door, outlet or light switch) is a source of air leakage. Sealing these openings from the inside can prevent serious drafts and energy loss. Use caulk and weather stripping to seal up these areas and keep cold air out.
How to stop a squeaky floor?
If you have a wood floor, try a little oil soap in the joints, which will quiet the squeak, eliminate the house noise and clean the floor at the same time. Knocking behind walls: Most likely this house noise is a plumbing problem.
Why does my floor squeak?
Squeaks are the result of boards rubbing together or nails that have loosened. To eliminate the noise you have to eliminate the movement. Regardless of the type of floor you have, there are a couple of easy fixes.
How to tell if a toilet tank is leaking?
To confirm a leak, add a drop of blue food coloring to the tank and see if your bowl turns blue. Drafts: In the movies, frigid air pockets signal a ghostly presence. Most likely, you have drafts rather than spirits.
Can a water hammer arrestor be used as a shock absorber?
The solution is to better secure the pipe to the framing it is attached to and also to install a water hammer arrestor which is basically a shock absorber for your plumbing system. The good news is that while both of these pipe sounds are annoying, they rarely cause any plumbing damage whatsoever.
Why does my air filter make a whistling sound?
When the filter is dirty and inhibiting airflow, the system still has to get air, so it sucks what it can from around the filter. That creates a whistling sound that seems to be most noticeable when the house is quiet—at night, when you are lying in bed wondering what that sound is.
What is the tiny tooth in my house?
Though it may sound like your walls are haunted, in reality it's the tiny fingernails or teeth of a rodent in your house, hiding among the ductwork and turning your insulation into a comfy bed. If there is any means of entry into your house, you can bet that a wild critter will find it.
What if you are hearing the whistles even after you have changed out the filter?
What if you are hearing the whistles even after you have changed out the filter? Look to your windows. The slightest breeze can create a draft around older windows, and that can create those whistling sounds, too. Make sure your windows are sealed tightly to avoid the ghostly noise.
Why does my water heater make a popping sound?
This is especially true if you have a gas or propane-heated tank, as the gas can make a "popping" sound when it lights up. Draining your water heater of sediment can help.
What does it mean when a carpenter ghost makes a noise?
If the sound is coming from the walls, it could be a "pressure hammer" —air pressure in the water pipes.
What are houses made of?
Houses are made up of a combination of wood, glass, concrete and other materials that contract and expand throughout the day, all at different rates. This leads to creaking, popping, and other strange sounds that might surprise you when you least expect it.
How to get rid of wildlife in your home?
Remedy the situation by setting traps, calling an exterminator, and making sure all cracks and holes around your home are sealed up tight. However, remember that some wildlife must be protected and carefully removed from your home. To make certain of what the rules are in your state, get in touch with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Why does my washer thump and bang?
If the thumping and banging happen every time the washer runs, it could be the balance ring. A washer’s balance ring helps keep the washer in balance when washing a load of laundry. If the thumping isn’t fixed, then the washer could really go out of balance and cause a bigger problem with the electrical system of the machine.
Why does my gas make a hissing sound?
However, if your home uses natural gas, the strange noise that sounds like hissing could indicate a bigger problem like a gas leak, says Richardson. Sometimes you can hear a hissing outside at the gas meter or at a home’s outdoor gas light post—places where the line could have corroded, he says. “You should be able to smell it, but you never know.”
Why does my wood floor creak?
While some of these squeaking floor noises are just wood boards rubbing against each other as temperatures change and the house settles, there are other reasons worth investigating. One big concern is termites. If there’s also a low point in the floor, it’s an even bigger sign that termites might be munching away at the wood structure.
Why does my toilet make a spooky noise?
The problem: Plumbing pipes can create a variety of spooky noises to alert homeowners that something’s up. Banging noises heard after running a sink or flushing the toilet may be due to water hammer, which is pressure inside the pipes caused by air or excess water.
How does a gas water heater work?
The Problem: A gas-fired hot water heater works pretty much like boiling a pot of water: A fire is lit and the water inside is heated until it’s ready for use. “A lot of sediment builds up at the bottom of a hot water tank, and that sediment works like an insulator,” forcing the burner to work harder, Kuhn says.
Why does my dishwasher make a tapping noise?
Tapping noises heard when a dishwasher is running can be caused from a clog inside the system. Its drain hose sometimes can get clogged with debris, making it tough for the water to flow, which can cause that tapping noise.
Why are my windows rattling?
If the windows are also rattling, then there’s usually something not fitting quite right and bumping into another part of the window system. Either of these issues could eventually lead to cracks in the glass.
Why does my water pipe make a noise?
Hot water flowing through cold copper lines results in expansion popping but there are other reasons for plumbing noises as well. If your pipes shudder and clank after turning off a faucet, the problem could be water hammer, triggered by high water pressure that surges when a valve closes quickly. The pipes react by clunking against wood framing or against other pipes. If you can reach the pipes, covering them in foam tubing can make a big difference. Your plumber also can install water hammer absorbers on water-supply lines to help maintain steady water pressure.
Why vent in an unvented attic?
Installing venting in an unvented attic might help because fresh airflow allows the interior of the attic to cool at the same time the outside temperature drops, which decreases abrupt wood movement. Adding insulation might diminish the echo effect, created by a large open attic.
What happens when wood rubs against wood?
Underfoot Creaks and Squeaks. When wood rubs against wood, it can make surprisingly loud retorts. In the same way a loose step on the stairs always creaks, so does any other spot where wood makes contact with wood when you cross the floor.
What happens when a furnace kicks on?
When the furnace kicks on and hot air rushes through a cold duct, the cool metal reacts by expanding, accompanied by loud bangs. If you've ever had a baking sheet pop in the oven while making cookies, it's the same principle.
Why does my house creak in the dead of night?
Popping, banging or creaking, especially in the dead of the night, is startling -- but in most cases, those sounds are just your home's reaction to temperature changes. You can minimize some of the racket, and if the house is new, the noise probably will diminish over time.
Can you cover ductwork with rubber pads?
If the ductwork is accessible, you can cover it with insulation or place rubber pads where the ducts make contact with wood framing or pipes. If the ducts are not easy to get to, your remedies are limited.
Who is Glenda Taylor?
Glenda Taylor. Glenda Taylor is a contractor and a full-time writer specializing in construction writing. She also enjoys writing business and finance, food and drink and pet-related articles. Her education includes marketing and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.
Why do mice squeak?
Because mice carry harmful diseases, don’t wait to take care of the problem. Some squeaks might be sporadic, and some could be constant and loud. One mouse might have squeaks that are incredibly high-pitched, while another has a lower tone.
What does it mean when a mouse squeaks?
One thing is for sure: if you hear mice squeaking, then it doesn’t just mean you’ve got one mouse, it means you’ve got many. Since squeaking is for communication, they’ll only do it to talk to another mouse somewhat nearby.
How do you know if you have mice in your house?
But how do you know for sure if you’ve got mice in your house. Well, one way you might notice is from hearing them. You might think it’s more common in cartoons, but the sounds that mice make really do sound like squeaks.
Do mice squeak at night?
So you know that mice are small, they squeak, and they’re active at night, but what else is interesting about them? More facts about mice can be found by clicking here.
Why is my ductwork so loud?
The metal that ducts are usually made from expands and contracts depending on the changes in temperature. If ducts are cold, the metal will expand when hot air moves through it. This causes loud bangs that could be heard as pops.
Why does hot water make a popping sound?
When hot water flows through cold copper lines, they expand and you’re likely to hear popping. There are lots of reasons why plumbing makes noises, but it’s often related to the duct issues where temperature causes expanding and contracting of the metal itself.
What to do if your floor is popping?
If the sounds are more severe and popping, with no clear solution, consider adding a shim from below if the bottom of the floor is accessible. Otherwise, you may have to call in a flooring specialist to help.
Thermal Expansion and Contraction
Weather
- The external forces of nature play a role in thermal expansion and contraction. Hot, dry weather causes the soil beneath a house to contract and shrink away from the foundation.Alternatively, excess rain or flooding causes soil to expand, applying pressure to the foundation. Managing the ground around your house by watering the soil during hot, dry weather and setting up a drainag…
Temperature and Time of Day
- Another factor of thermal expansion and contraction is temperature. During the day, warmer temperatures cause the house to expand. Cooler temperatures cause the structure of a house to contract. Therefore, sounds are often heard at night – after the sun has gone down and the house is cooling.
House Settling
- As the soil beneath a house shifts and moves over time, the foundation naturally adjusts and gradually sinks into the ground in a process referred to as “settling”. Over the course of its lifetime, a house may occasionally or frequently produce noises due to settling. Although these sounds may seem ghastly, they can be completely normal. Excessive settling, however, can lead to maj…
Foundation Shifting
- While settling and thermal expansion and contraction are natural effects on a house, it is important to recognize the signs of foundation damage before it becomes a major problem. The constant battle of a house structure expanding and contracting can result in signs of foundation issues. A few things to look out for include stuck doors and windows, uneven floors and bowing …