Homes can sometimes creak and groan. After all, they’re big objects and have to bear a lot of weight. However, there are some sounds that you can’t afford to ignore. In this post, we explore what your home is trying to tell you.
Hissing Sounds
If you hear a hissing sound, it is rarely good news. Almost always, it means that you have a leak of some sort.
The most common type of leak is gas. As it forces its way through small holes under pressure, it sounds a little like a bicycle tyre puncture.
If the problem is gas, you should be able to smell it almost immediately. Don’t allow any naked flames in your home and switch off both the gas and electrics to prevent a fire. Then call your local gas engineer to come and fix the problem.
Switching Sounds
If you have a well pump, hearing switching sounds every time you turn the faucet on and off is generally bad news. Almost always, it means that you have a leak somewhere in the system.
Switching on and off is much more likely to wear out your unit and necessitate a replacement, so don’t allow it to continue for long before doing something about it. Generally, the cheapest solution is to hire a mechanic to come and fix it. Almost always, the cost will be lower than trying to replace it outright. They will be able to tell you which component failed and why.
Whistling From The Furnace
Furnaces should be nearly silent, other than a low level hum created by the heating elements. However, if you can hear a whistling sound, it is usually a sign of trouble.
Most commonly, a whistling noise from the furnace means that you need to change the filter. The sound is the result of exhaust gases being sucked back into your home. Just swap out the filter for a new one. That will usually solve the problem.
Groaning Rafters
Rafters are sturdy pieces of wood that hold up your house, notably the roof and floors. However, sometimes they can moan, either in the wind, or when you step on them.
In most cases, this is the result of old age. As wood matures, it is much more likely to develop creaks. It’s simply not as flexible as it was.
However, if the problem is serious and you notice it in multiple places, you may need a series of termite inspections.
Termites are famous for chewing their way through wood. They have a rare ability to digest it. In the forest, they are nature’s recyclers.
Naturally, termites chewing through the wood in your home isn’t what you want. It can get to the point where it weakens the rafters so much that they fail. Spotting the problem early helps to avoid higher costs in the long-term.
Gurgling From The Water Heater
Hot water heaters are just like regular pots of boiling water that you might place on the stove – just a heck of a lot larger. In some cases, they barely make any noticeable noise at all. However, if sediment builds up in the bottom, they can produce a gurgling sound.
Sediment typically builds up in metal water heaters. The water reacts with the metal and minerals in your local supply to create a deposition layer on the bottom of the tank. Then, when the element heats it, it begins to gurgle.
Unfortunately, these sediment layers could be an indication that your boiler is failing. Too much sediment can weaken its structure and force early retirement.
To prevent this from happening, give the unit a good flush every three months or so. This regular maintenance will prevent the worst of the buildup and gunk in the bottom.
Running Water
Hearing running water is another potential problem that you might encounter in your home. Ideally, if nobody is using any of the faucets or the shower, you shouldn’t be able to hear the motion of water at all. If you can, it means that it’s flowing to someplace you don’t want it.
In most cases, the sound of running water results from a burst pipe. Unfortunately, if all your piping is behind your walls, you may find it difficult to locate the problem initially.
Start by turning off the water using the mains stopcoque. Then call a plumber to sleuth around and find the source of the problem. Leaks are particularly problematic if they are downstream from your water tanks. Even if you switch off supply at the mains, you may still have flooding on your hands.
Scratching Sounds Behind The Walls
Scratching sounds behind the walls or under the floorboards usually indicate that you have some sort of pest problem to contend with in your home. As mice, rats or raccoons move around, the nails on the end of their claws slap against hard surfaces, creating an instantly-recognisable pitter-patter sound.
If you think pests are the problem, don’t try to eliminate them yourself. You won’t do a good job. Instead, hire a pro to come and do the work for you. They’ll be able to tell you what kind of infestation you have, and what you can do about it.
To stop your pest problem from returning, professionals will look for likely points of entry and seal them. After an extermination, animals shouldn’t be able to return.
Clanking Sounds
Clanking sounds are usually the result of problems with the heating system. If you notice banging noises after you turn up the temperature at your thermostat, you’ll need to call a plumber.
Baseboard hot water systems tend to be most prone to this condition. Pumps should be silent, but when they clank, it usually indicates a mechanical error. You’ll need to get a handyman experienced in such matters to deal with it for you.
In summary, groaning and creaking sounds in your home are trying to tell you something. The trick is to know what. Acting early to fix problems helps to save you money in the future.
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