All houses make some noise. It’s uncommon for a home to be totally silent, so there’s usually no reason to be alarmed at the occasional sound.
But there are instances when noises can be a cause for concern. One particular homeowner had been hearing buzzing from behind the walls of his house for several months but pretty much ignored it. When workers replacing the drywall took a look, they were surprised to find a full colony of bees taking residence there!
That’s only one example of a sound that shouldn’t have been ignored. If the homeowner had acted quickly, the problem wouldn’t have been as costly or difficult to fix.
House Sounds You Shouldn’t Ignore
Of course, it’s sometimes hard to tell which sounds require immediate attention and which can be safely disregarded. So how do you tell one from the other? Which house sounds should you never ignore? Here are some of the most common noises that could indicate a problem that should be addressed immediately:
Furnace Noises
Furnace noises can be caused by many factors. Knowing the possible causes will enable you to take the proper action. For example:
Squeaks: Squeaks or squeals are often caused by dried-out bearings that need to be lubricated or a broken-off component. In any case, this could eventually lead to motor failure.
Knocks: Knocking noises are usually caused by the fan hitting its surrounding cage. The entire system could eventually be damaged if the problem isn’t fixed.
Pops: Popping noises may indicate moisture or some other obstruction in the gas line.
Clanking: Clanking noises may occur because of rusted components or soot blocking the vents.
Whistling: Whistling noises are usually because of a dirty filter. This should be cleaned or changed every three months.
Clanging Pipes
Pipes are commonly known to make noise, but this usually isn’t a sign of a serious problem. But they could be a cause for concern, especially if they are connected to a radiator. Pipes serve to drain water from a radiator. But if they don’t do their job properly, you might hear loud clanging noises as if someone was hitting the interior with a metal object.
Creaking and Skittering Walls
Do you often hear squeaking, skittering, or buzzing from behind your walls? There is a good chance that creatures are living there. Apart from mice and rats, entire raccoon, squirrel, or bird families may take up residence in your home. Or, as described at the beginning of this article, it may even be a colony of bees or wasps. If the noise doesn’t go away or the activity seems to increase, it might be necessary to call in a pest exterminator.
Humming Appliances
All appliances produce some noise, but homeowners should recognize the sounds made by different machines to know if they indicate a serious problem. For instance, sputtering and grinding sounds from a dishwasher could mean an obstruction in the chopper area. Buzzes coming from a refrigerator could be a sign of a compressor malfunction. And a humming dryer might mean that there is something stuck in the blower component. These issues are often difficult to diagnose, so it is generally best to call in an expert at the first sign of trouble.
Bubbling Pipes
With almost any water system, sediments can build up in the bottom of the water heater. This is caused by minerals precipitating from the water and settling in the tank. Over time, this could cause the pipes to emit a popping or rumbling noise, which clearly indicates that professional repair is needed.
Some cases are easy fixes, requiring nothing more than a thorough flushing of the tank’s interior. But more severe problems may require replacing the entire heater system. In any case, this noise shouldn’t be ignored.
Whistling Windows
Whistling sounds from your windows can be annoying, but they could indicate a more serious problem. Many factors can cause windows to produce such sounds, including improper installation, damaged weather stripping, temperature changes, and wear and tear that occurs over time.
A whistling window usually indicates that air can go in and out of the house. This can cause warm or cool air to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work harder than it should to maintain the interior temperature.
Pay Attention To Your Home
Not every sound your house makes indicates a problem that needs repair, renovation, or even attention. In some cases, these may come from normal occurrences and don’t require further action.
But the key is knowing what sounds you need to be concerned about. If you hear any of the noises described above, you may have to take quick action to avoid a more serious problem requiring costly and lengthy repairs or renovation.
