House creaks in winter5/17/2023 ![]() ![]() "I hear a rattle in my walls (or ceiling)" Another phenomenon of water valves is a machine gun sound when water pulses through a faucet that's open slightly. ![]() Other sources of whistling could be water valves, such as an exterior faucet hooked to a hose (AKA sill cock or hose bib) that's being used to water plants or wash a car, the faucet at a sink, or the filler valve inside the toilet tank, especially when the valve is almost closed to the point that there's only a tiny passageway for the water to travel. When water passes through valves the speed of the water changes (because the flow is restricted but the pressure is the same), which can make a high frequency vibration and create a noise similar to a whistle or horn. When the wind blows, air can enter and exit a home around windows and doors, and it can create a whistling noise. I once lived in a home with thin metal weather-stripping around the front door, and when there was a big gust of wind it would vibrate the metal at a high frequency, like the reed of a woodwind instrument, and it made a sound like a bellowing cow.Ī homeowner called me earlier this year with a mysterious sound he wanted me to diagnose. His house had a foghorn-like noise that occurred when the wind blew. I never had the opportunity to inspect his home or diagnose the noise, but speculated it might be wind blowing into his attic through soffit vents. He messaged me months later after he finally figured out the cause - it was his synthetic Trex® outdoor deck vibrating when the wind blew through it. One of the most common noises in homes is the sound of footsteps, and the most common cause is from thermal expansion and contraction of either ducting, pipes, or structural framing. When the furnace or air conditioner comes on the temperature of the ductwork changes, causing the metal to expand or contract, and it creates a periodic popping or tapping noise, similar to footsteps. A similar noise occurs when we use hot water (or if your home has a boiler system) - the metal water piping expands or contracts due to temperature changes, which also creates clicking / banging and/or popping noises that carry through the pipes. Most noises from your home are inconsequential, but many noises aren't, and it's important to know the source of the noise and what it might mean.īefore we get much further, many people have approached me with strange noises they think come from supernatural forces or ghosts. I can assure you it's not a ghost making noise in your home because ghosts don't make noise - but that's another story for another day. No, you're not crazy, your house is making noises, and it's not just a squeaky floor. ![]()
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