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These articles discuss building noise control: how to inspect, diagnose & cure noise or sound problems in homes or commercial buildings. Information is provided about auditory (hearing), visual, historic, medical, or other clues of building condition that explain various sounds heard in buildings. We also discuss methods of sound or noise control in buildings during construction or as a building retrofit.

Some building noises are just an annoyance - we'll focus on sound control, sound isolation, and sound insulation methods. But other building sounds or noises may be a sign of trouble, failing equipment, insect attack, rodent infestation, or other more dangerous conditions. Our page top photo showed a severe air bypass leak at an attic pull-down stair. Occupants could at times hear air rushing through this opening.

This article explains how to locate the source of, identify and correct various building sounds and noises indoors or on occasion, noises from outside that penetrate indoors at annoying levels. While we touch on environmental noise coming from outside of buildings (aircraft noise, highway noise, noisy neighbors) the focus of this article series is on identifying and curing unwanted indoor noise sources in buildings - noise control.

For the broad topic of controlling plumbing noises in buildings see Sound Control for Plumbing. Also see NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE where we describe how to locate the source of, identify and correct various building sounds and noises indoors or on occasion, noises from outside that penetrate indoors at annoying levels. Separately at SOUND CONTROL in buildings we provide a series of detailed articles on reducing unwanted building noise levels through building design, insulation, sound isolation, and noise barriers.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

How to Identify & Cure Noises & Sounds in Building Interiors

Regardless of their source, noises are transmitted in buildings by two methods.

Airborne Sound: Sound waves traveling through air move between building areas - such as through open windows, doors, or stairwells.

Mechanically transmitted sound: When sounds move through solid building components such as floors, ceilings, walls, framing, carrying sound from one area to another the sound transmission is referred to more technically as impact insulation class transmission or IIC sound transmission.

In many cases the source of an annoying building sound may be obvious and we can move immediately to strategies for reducing that source to an acceptable noise level. But we also receive queries from people who have difficulty tracing a sound to its source, or who are unsure if a sound that they hear at a known source (say a humming sound at an electrical component) is normal or means trouble.

In our collection of sources of building sounds and noises, below, we describe common noises that may come from various sources and we link to more detailed diagnostic and repair advice for these problems. Contact Us to report your own building noise problems and solutions - thus helping other readers cure building noise problems.

For unidentified sound sources, general advice on tracking down the source and cause of annoying building sounds and noises includes a procedure similar to our ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST. Keep a noise log, noting

• The date and time of the noise at each occurrence, especially when it was first observed
• What equipment is operating or turned off in the building
• What weather conditions might be pertinent such as wind, rain, or freezing
• What has changed in the building that might be relevant such as installation or removal of equipment
• Differences in noise perception between what is observed indoors, at different indoor locations, and outside.

Our table of relative sound levels (left) is from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Beginning below, we provide an alphabetically-ordered catalog of building noises and sounds, with suggestions for tracking down these disturbances.

ACOUSTICAL SEALANT CHOICES are used to reduce noise transmission in buildings.

How to Track Down Air Bypass Leak or Air Leak Noises in buildings

Air Conditioning & Heat Pump System Noises

At NOISY AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP we discuss a range of noises can be traced to air conditioning systems, including sounds of air leaks into or out of air ducts and air handlers as well as mechanical sounds traced to the air handler or blower, or the compressor unit (outside).

A humming sound might be traced to a failing compressor motor or a failing electric motor on a blower fan. A clicking noise might be traced to a failing electrical control in the air handler or outside at the fan-compressor unit, leading to a control switching on and off too rapidly. Buzzing, snapping, crackling, popping - may be dangerous electrical switch or breaker indicators. In our HVAC noise articles below and also at COMPRESSOR CONDENSER NOISES we describe a wide range of sounds: squeaks, hums, clanks, squeals, bubbling, hissing, etc.

List of HVAC Noise Diagnosis & Cure Articles

  AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP NOISES
    AIR HANDLER / BLOWER NOISES
    COMPRESSOR CONDENSER NOISES
    DUCT SYSTEM NOISES
    FAN NOISES

• Air handler / blower indoor cooling unit noises: see air leaks, bubbling, clicking, duct noises, fan noises and vibration dampener noises and the articles on these problems listed just below.
• Air leaks in ductwork often make a roaring or hissing sound. See LEAKY DUCT CONNECTIONS and also see VIBRATION DAMPENERS for a discussion of devices used to isolate noises produced by HVAC air handlers such as air conditioners and furnaces.
• Bubbling in the refrigerant piping is discussed at REFRIGERANT LEAK REPAIR.
• Clicking noises from relays & controls can be heard at either the compressor/condenser or at the indoor air handler unit: A failing or defective thermostat or to a defective control itself can cause relays to click on and off repeatedly. - thanks to reader Michael Anderson.
• Compressor/Condenser units: see COMPRESSOR CONDENSER NOISES for detailed diagnostic help in finding, evaluating, and fixing noisy compressor units. Humming, rattling, explosion noises, bangs, clanks, hissing noises.
• Duct system noises: hisses, whistles, even roars, and occasionally clunk or clank sounds from expanding or contracting metal ductwork. Take a look at LEAKY DUCT CONNECTIONS. Leaks around the return air register are common and sometimes noisy - see RETURN DUCT AIR LEAKS. Hisses and whistles in supply air ducts and registers might be present too - see SUPPLY DUCT AIR LEAKS. Also buzzing, rattling, clanking or other noises originating at the air handler/blower unit may be transmitted into the physical ductwork and thus the building, if the system lacks an adequate vibration dampener - see VIBRATION DAMPENERS.
• Fan noises on heating and air conditioning systems are discussed at FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT and at FAN, COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER UNIT
• Other building noise sources: See NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS where we describe other heating system noise sources and cures.

Animal noise and animal-caused noises in buildings, diagnosis & cure

What about animal noises heard indoors: beyond the obvious barking dogs, meowing cats, and chirping birds, other uninvited animals can be a source of noise or even more serious damage or health related problems in buildings:

• Bats trapped in an attic or duct work can produce slapping or fluttering sounds.

• Birds as noise sources in and around buildings:
  • Crows may produce an intermittent, slower tapping sound on building roofs or other low-sloped or horizontal surfaces, sometimes we're not sure what the crow is up to, or it may be working on something to eat.
  • A fluttering or other noises in duct work or in a chimney may indicate that a bird or bat has become trapped there
  • Tapping and rapping sounds on the building exterior: look for woodpeckers signaling or even making holes in wood exterior sidings in search of insects.
  • Thuds and clunks traced to birds crashing into windows and doors : sadly, birds smashing into windows or sliding glass doors can create a sudden large thunk. We note that bird collisions with glass happen principally under certain light and reflection conditions. Special bird-collision resistant glass and plastic owls as well as solar shades can reduce this hazard.
    
    Tips for rescuing birds stunned by crashing into glass: The ruby crested golden kinglet shown above flew into glass patio doors and was stunned. If you intend to "rescue" such a bird, avoid handling it and do not bring it indoors - those steps will further traumatize the bird. We scooped up the kinglet without touching it (hence the cluster of snow on which it stands) and set it gently into an open box placed outdoors, giving it protection from local animals for the hour or so it took to recover and fly away. Here is a photo of the ruby crested kinglet after it recovered and flew to a nearby tree.
  • Thumping on flat roofs: we have observed crows tapping and thumping around on flat and low slope roofs, perhaps signaling, or opening seeds and nuts
  • Woodpeckers may produce a rapid tapping sound on exterior siding or trim, possibly a clue that insects are attacking the building
• Groundhogs are more often found digging by and nesting under buildings; we tracked noises in a barn to a ground hog family living below. Usually they were quiet.

• Mice / Rats (photo above left, mouse found in suspended ceiling) can produce a scuffling or scrambling sound in attics, ceilings, walls. When trapped a mouse or rat may produce a ripping or tearing sound as it is trying to gnaw its way to freedom. See ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings.

• Raccoons in buildings: if you hear scrambling around in the attic or basement, or scratching and scraping sounds on the building exterior you may find that one or more raccoons has invaded the building or is climbing around on exterior downspouts.
  
  In a Poughkeepsie NY home two raccoons fell in love with Christmas ornaments stored inside boxes kept the attic. At night one could hear a swat followed by a rolling sound as round ornaments were batted around the floor. Packing away the ornaments more deeply into trunks did not keep the raccoons from digging them out the next night. The solution to the raccoon out-of-season holiday fun was the discovery and closure of their entry point into the building. See ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings.
• Squirrels, chipmunks, other rodents in buildings can produce a scuffling or scrambling sound in attics, ceilings, walls. When trapped a small animal may, like the mouse example above, produce a ripping or tearing sound as it is trying to gnaw its way to freedom. A squirrel trapped inside a downspout can cause the family dog to go crazy tearing and gnawing at the downspout bottom (photo, above right).
• Skunks in buildings are pretty quiet, but are sometimes found nesting in or under buildings.
• See Animal odors in buildings - how to find and remove animal odors, pet urine odors, etc.
• See Environmental hazards: allergens, EMF, lead paint, lead in water, leaks, moisture, venting, mold-contamination, MVOCs, radon, toxic gases
• See ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE - how to identify and remove all kinds of odors in buildings

Appliance Noises in buildings, Sources of

Appliance noises in buildings are a bit easier to track down. If you are uncertain just which appliance is a noise source, or if it is a noise source, just try turning off individual appliances to check for cessation of noise. Appliance noises cover a wide range, from humming refrigerator compressors to rattling loose metal parts. Try to trace the noise to its source in the building, and look for loose parts or a failing motor bearing.

• Appliances most often run intermittently on their own, especially refrigerators, freezers, well pumps, heating systems, air conditioner systems, all produce noises that will start and stop as the appliance is off or on, and may involve humming, whining, whistles, rattles, or other mechanical or electrical sounds. For examples see HEATING SYSTEM NOISES or see OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS.
• Refrigerator ice makers can produce an unexpected whirring or clanking sounds that you may never notice during daytime but that might be surprising during quite night hours.
• Don't rule out tiny appliances that can be surprisingly irritating to people with sensitive hearing, such as electric clocks, clocks on appliances, free-standing electric clocks (a high-pitched mechanical grinding or gear noise is common) and non-electric clocks and timers
• Also see APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS.

Chimney noises in or on buildings - Danger Signs?

Chimney noises in or on buildings range from normal to extremely dangerous:

• Wind noise at chimneys may be caused by wind blowing over a chimney that lacks a chimney cap, has a damaged chimney cap in place, or has openings or damage to the chimney itself.
  
  Wind-noise at a chimney will be intermittent and will depend on wind and weather conditions.
• Chimneys & Chimney Fires: fireplaces, wood stoves, other heating equipment that are improperly installed or that are not properly maintained can be serious fire hazards.
  
  Watch out: A chimney fire sounds like a roaring freight train. If you suspect a chimney fire and can do so safely, shut down your wood stove (close all air intakes) or close any chimney dampers as well, immediately exit the building, and call the fire department from outdoors. Also see WOOD Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves
• Also see Wind Noises

Dripping Water Sounds in buildings, How to Track Down

Electrical System Noises in buildings: diagnosis & cure

Watch out: Electrical System Noises can be signs of dangerous conditions: buzzing circuit breakers or fixtures may indicate that an electrical circuit is short circuiting or that a circuit breaker is not tripping when it should.

The risk is fire or electrical shock. If a circuit is acting strangely with flickering lights, noises, or odors, turn it off at the main electrical panel and call a licensed electrician promptly. If you are unable to safely turn off an electrical circuit for any reason, get people out of the building and call your fire department or emergency services. See

• ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS - flickering lights, circuits that do not turn off or on, hissing crackling sounds, burning plastic odors
• Buzzing sounds (also crackling) at electrical components anywhere, including compressor relay switches, electrical connections at any component, and quite seriously, at circuit breakers can be an indication of arcing and an electrical problem needing prompt attention. Turn off such circuits immediately and contact a professional electrician or service technician. Also see FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS and ZINSCO / SYLVANIA HAZARDS
  
• ELECTRIC METERS & METER BASES
• Electronic equipment noises - clicks (typically relays) and whirs (typically fan noises), and occasional snap-click sounds (hard drive or disk accessing) are noticed by people with acute hearing. Our photo (left) shows a backup computer equipment power supply that contains a battery, switching equipment, and electric power conditioning circuitry. We expected it to be silent, but in fact in a quiet room one can hear a periodic clicking from an internal relay in the device.
• FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS - flickering lights, circuits that do not turn off or on, hissing crackling sounds, burning plastic odors
• HEAT, ELECTRIC - clicks or creaks as an electric baseboard heats up are normal. But hissing, buzzing, crackling, snapping may be an electrical short and are dangerous.
• LOW VOLTAGE BUILDING WIRING - may include low humming noises at failing voltage transformers
• PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS - flickering lights, circuits that do not turn off or on, hissing crackling sounds, burning plastic odors
• RUST in ELECTRICAL PANELS - flickering lights, circuits that do not turn off or on, hissing crackling sounds, burning plastic odors
• SQUARE-D RECALLS - flickering lights, circuits that do not turn off or on, hissing crackling sounds, burning plastic odors
• ZINSCO / SYLVANIA HAZARDS - flickering lights, circuits that do not turn off or on, hissing crackling sounds, burning plastic odors
• Electrical inspection for home buyers; identifying and fixing electrical hazards in homes: aluminum wiring, Federal Pacific FPE Stab-Lok panels, mis-wired circuits, fire and shock hazards

Fans and Fan Noises in buildings & How to Control Fan Noises

Building fans are used for indoor air quality (whole house fans, attic vent fans, air to air heat exchanger fans, bathroom and kitchen vent fans).

• See BATHROOM VENTILATION where we describe fan noise and the use of sones as a measurement of fan noise.
• See VENTILATION, EXHAUST ONLY for a discussion of house ventilation fan noises and fan choices
• Fan convector heaters are discussed at FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
• See VIBRATION DAMPENERS for a discussion of devices used to isolate noises produced by HVAC air handlers such as air conditioners and furnaces.

Flooring and Floor Noises in buildings

Flooring and Floor Noises in buildings are most often due to construction details, less often due to potentially unsafe structural movement or damage such as movement due to rot or insect attack.

• Creaky floorboards or stair treads are caused by movement of the floor board over the subflooring or over floor joist surfaces, particularly when someone walks across the loose flooring. New construction methods often employ a combination of structural adhesive (between the joist top and floor or subfloor underside) as well as mechanical fasteners to make a floor more rigid and less noisy.
• Flooring may also be noisy because the supporting framing is more flexible than modern standards recommend.
• Noisy flooring can often be improved or eliminated by the use of mechanical fasteners screwed into the flooring through joists from below.
• See AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine How to Determine the Age of a Building from Visual or Documentary Clues, identity of various building materials, construction framing styles, foundation design, and general architecture.
• Also see FLOOR TYPES & DEFECTS - inspection, diagnosis, repair, and installation tips for resilient flooring, vinyl and asphalt floor tiles, wood flooring, tile floors, carpeting in buildings.

Ghost Noises or Odors in & Around Buildings

Among of our building inspection & diagnosis clients have been a few folks who were quite sure that noises and even some visions in buildings were due to the presence of spirits or ghosts. In most cases sounds and odors were tracked to a physical source. Readers with suggestions about diagnosing unresolved odors (see ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE) or noises (see NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE) in buildings are invited to comment in these pages.

Health, Neurological, and Psychologically-Related Noise Complaints in buildings

Details about this topic are found at HEALTH RELATED NOISE COMPLAINTS. Health related noise and apparent noise sources can involve common aging or hearing disorders, dementia, or other serious medical conditions.

• Normal aging of people is often accompanied by changes in hearing and hearing perception. Neurological disorders, psychological disorders, or possibly other serious medical conditions can cause a perception of noise in buildings that can be very disturbing to the person suffering from these conditions.
• Dementia can cause a perception of noise in buildings that can be very disturbing to the person suffering from these conditions.
  
  Voices & Music: We recently investigated a case in which an elderly person in a Florida home had complained of loud voices and loud music for more than a year. Because it is normal for any individual's mind to find an apparently rational explanation for sensations that appear "real", the complainant was certain that the noise problem rested with her next door neighbor.
  
  Consistent playing of the same song: The complaint that a particular musical song or work is repeated may be a clue suggesting that hearing continuous music may be related to an illness or dementia associated with aging.
  
  When multiple locations produce the same noise complaint: But reports from family members confirmed that their mother had the same complaints in two other cities, one in a hotel, another in a private home. In those cases family members were certain that the sounds were not actually occurring. We recommended a medical consult. -DF
  
  Variations in acuteness of hearing: We consulted in a different building noise complaint that was voiced by just one occupant of several in a home. Our client had consulted with his physician who did not find a medical cause for a hearing disorder. Before assuming that we could not help this individual we considered that because people's hearing sensitivity varies widely, together we needed to confirm that others did nor did not hear noises in the building. --DF
  
  Noise-related stress aggravates existing disorders: "Although no one would say that noise by itself brings on mental illness, there is evidence that noise-related stress can aggravate already existing emotional disorders. Research in the United States and England points to higher rates of admission to psychiatric hospitals among people living close to airports. And studies of several industries show that prolonged noise exposure may lead to a larger number of psychological problems among workers." - "Noise, A Health Problem", US EPA,
• Hearing disorders and even hearing aid malfunctions can cause a perception of noise in buildings that can be very disturbing to the person suffering from these conditions.
  
  We recently investigated another mysterious music complaint involving the author's brother in law who wears hearing aids that incorporate a blue-tooth wireless function to permit easy use of a cell phone. But our brother-in-law began hearing music, intermittently. The problem was traced to his iPod that had been left on and transmitting music to his hearing aids. --DF
• Sources of Mysterious Music Heard Indoors: check the radio
  
  In addition to dementia that can manifest as delusional "hearing" of music, singing ("the Stars and Stripes forever, 24-hours a day"), and our brother-in-law's hearing aid tuning in to his iPod, we recently traces a very low-volume but continuous music complaint to a clock radio alarm that had been set to "music" at very low volume. It can be helpful in tracking down indoor music complaints if you enlist the aid of one or more people who have very good hearing. Start where the music noise complaint was reported, and provided that the person with acute hearing can observe the sound, trace it directionally to it's source, perhaps first checking radios, TVs, and portable music players.

• Sleep disturbance and noise:
  
  "Human response to noise before and during sleep varies widely among age groups. The elderly and the sick are particularly sensitive to disruptive noise. Compared to young people, the elderly are more easily awakened by noise and, once awake, have more difficulty returning to sleep. As a group, the elderly require special protection from the noises that interfere with their sleep". - "Noise, A Health Problem", US EPA,
  
  Night Time Hissing Sounds: Here is an example sleep disturbance report:
  
  I am a senior citizen (68) living alone, here in the Poconos in Pike County. Please note, I do not have tinnitis For the last 4 years, I have been suffering with a hissing sound in my house. I tried to locate sound engineers, listening devices and the like but, have not been successful. This noise always takes place in the hours between 9:00PM and 6:00AM and sometimes during the daylight hours. I have a fairly simple house with a sump pump which I just replaced, and a septic (grinder pump) that is approximately 24 yrs old. I am at my wits end and haven't had a decent night's sleep in all this time. Short of having someone spend the night at my house, I don't know what to do anymore. It is very difficult to get competent people to diagnose this problem. -- E.R.
  
  We suggested some simple first steps in on-site detective work to track down this night time hissing noise:
  
  
  • Have a good flashlight in hand
    
  • Turn off all electrical power at the main panel
    
  • Does the sound change ?
  • Wait a few minutes to observe
    
  • If there is no change in the sound,
    
  • Turn off all water at the water main valve
  • If there is change in sound, try turning off individual pieces of equipment in the home, or even ALL electrical power
  • Record the date and time of the noise at each occurrence, especially when it was first observed
  • Record What equipment is operating or turned off in the building
  • Record what weather conditions might be pertinent such as wind, rain, or freezing
  • Record what has changed in the building that might be relevant such as installation or removal of equipment
  • Record differences in noise perception between what is observed indoors, at different indoor locations, and outside.
  • Check for normal indoor hissing sounds such as heating system air vents (Heating System Noises) and air vents on water pressure tanks.
  • Check these other sources of indoor hissing sounds
    
    The steps above were not sufficient, as E.R. continued.
    
    
  • I followed your instructions:
  • I turned off the water at the main (left off fall Night)
  • I turned off the grinder pump (septic system) and left it off all night)
  • I turned of the electric fuse box and the noise continues
    At my wits end....
  • I had a home inspector to view the property and he thought it was crickets.
  • Of course, we both know is isn't crickets...
  • I called the cable company, the telephone company.
  • People are going to think I am hard of hearing. NO WAY ...I do not have tinnitis
  • This is a real challenge and I don't know what else to do.
    
    In difficult cases such as this one, having an experienced person on-site when the noises are occurring, possibly using simple noise amplification equipment to help determine the direction from which sound is emanating, may be the only way to both make progress and avoid contusing medical health concerns for on-site sound problems.

Other medical conditions: If you or someone you are assisting is disturbed by noises whose presence is not verified by independent third parties, we recommend that you or the noise-disturbed person check with their physician. In addition to careful medical examination, use of hearing aids or a white noise machine (see SOUND CONTROL in buildings) may assist in these cases. Shown above is the Sleep Mate™ sound generator produced by Marpac.

See HEALTH RELATED NOISE COMPLAINTS.

Hearing Disabilities and Building Noises

Hearing Disabilities and the ability to identify and track the source of noises in buildings can be difficult for the hearing impaired.

Even when a noise is present at a discernable level, a person with hearing impairment may have difficulty accurately pointing to the direction from which a noise is emanating. If you are hearing impaired or working with someone who is, recruit additional help from others and don't forget to consider that the apparent direction or source of a noise could be quite mistaken.

Also don't forget to check hearing aids themselves for noise sources; a poorly-fitting or low battery hearing aid may squawk, shriek, or emit periodic chimes, beeps, or with the newest units even voices announcing "low battery".

Heating System Noises & Building Temperature-Change Noises

Please see our complete article on heating system noises found at HEATING SYSTEM NOISES and OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS. Also see VIBRATION DAMPENERS for a discussion of devices used to isolate noises produced by HVAC air handlers such as air conditioners and furnaces.

Excerpts are below.

Heating systems and building heat as a source of indoor noises and sounds include air bubbling in piping, shrieks (bearings), bangs (puffbacks), rumbling (air noise, mechanical noise), grinding noises, and other mechanical noises.

1. See OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS and BOILER OPERATING PROBLEMS if your heat is by hot water.
2. For steam heat system noises see STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS; for warm air heat see FURNACES, HEATING and DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS. Steam heat can also produce (normal) hissing sounds as air escapes from steam radiator valves. If your steam pipes are making a horrible hammering or banging noise, see BANGING HEATING PIPE NOISES.
3. Since heating system malfunctions that result in un-wanted noise may also produce smells, see ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE.
4. All heating systems can cause creaking or popping noises as heating system and piping or ductwork expand (and contract) through the heating cycle, though meticulous installation or repair can usually stop those sounds.

• Mechanical system components and moving part noises
  • Electric motors on oil burners or blower fans - see BOILER NOISE SMOKE ODORS
  • Banging heating pipes, especially steam heat: see BANGING HEATING PIPE NOISES
  • Bearings in electric motors or other mechanical devices (whining, grinding, vibrating, maybe humming)
  • Blower fans and air handlers: can induce vibration into building HVAC ductwork if a vibration isolator or vibration dampener is not installed. See VIBRATION DAMPENERS for a discussion of devices used to isolate noises produced by HVAC air handlers such as air conditioners and furnaces.
  • Circulator pumps on hot water hydronic heating systems range from quiet to producing a mechanical whine or hum, or if failing bearings, grinding, or if failing electric motor, humming and vibrating. In our experience Taco-brand circulator pumps are usually so quiet that we can tell that the circulator pump is running only by feeling for a temperature change the pipes entering and leaving the pump. - see Circulator Pumps & Relays
    
    But if a circulator pump and hydronic heat piping contain unwanted air, cavitation in the pump itself due to the presence of air can make a pump abnormally noisy as well as making a bubbling or gurgling sound in the building hot water heating pipes, baseboards, or radiators. See air Bleeder Valves for a catalog of air purging procedures for hot water heating systems. See Air Scoops Purgers Separators for an explanation of the equipment intended to get rid of un-wanted and noisy air in hot water heating systems.
  • Duct system noises include hissing from air movement and rattling or vibration from loose duct components, particularly where metal ductwork is installed. We have also traced "duct noises" to wind noises and to animals in the ductwork: birds, mice, raccoons, even a cat. Also see VIBRATION DAMPENERS for a discussion of devices used to isolate noises produced by HVAC air handlers such as air conditioners and furnaces.
  • Mechanically driven motors such as the oil pump (fuel unit) on oil burners - see OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS
  • Oil burner noises: could be normal motor noise or could be a sign of serious and even dangerous heating system conditions - see OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS for details.
  • Radiator Noises: Watch out: If the radiator continually makes noises (whistling or wheezing) at the steam vent, there is a problem that needs to be fixed: a bad steam vent, steam piping problem, steam pressure set too high, or boiler oversized for the heating distribution system. See our diagnostic articles at RADIATORS.
  • Steam radiator vent hissing or other noises: steam vents should quiet down after steam has entered the radiator and the radiator and its vent have become hot. See Steam Vent Noise. Also see Hissing Noises in buildings
  • Vibration dampeners are needed to isolate vibration that occurs in air handlers or blower compartments from building duct work. See VIBRATION DAMPENERS for a discussion of devices used to isolate noises produced by HVAC air handlers such as air conditioners and furnaces.
• Heating flues, chimneys: Noises associated with heating system exhaust, including
  • Chimney noises: see Chimneys & Chimney Fires. Watch out for roaring freight-train sounds - indicating a very dangerous chimney fire.
  • Draft inducer fan noises, usually on oil-fired heating equipment. See Draft Inducer Fans for details.
  • Gas burner noises at gas fired heating boilers or furnaces: see Gas Flame & Noise Defects
• Thermal expansion/contraction: Noises associated with thermal expansion or contraction of heating system components
  • Hot water baseboard piping or radiator piping makes creaking or crackling sounds as the piping expands or contracts, particularly where piping passes through tight openings in walls or floors.
• Heat Loss in buildings, how to determine and calculate heat loss from a building (or heat gain in a cooling climate), how to evaluate building insulation, & how to insulate buildings
• Humidity: How Low Should You Keep Indoor Humidity to Avoid a Mold Problem

Hissing Noises in buildings

Unfortunately lots of different things can produce hissing sounds. It makes sense to try to track the sound to its source, then look more closely. Here are a few examples of hissing noises indoors:

• Hissing sounds at air conditioning compressors, in some cases may be dangerous, especially if very loud, in other cases might be normal. See  COMPRESSOR CONDENSER NOISES
• Hissing noise of air escaping at water tanks: air escaping from the air volume control valve on some water pressure tanks, such as the U.S. Gauge Type 310WJ Air Volume Controls makes a hissing noise and is normal but should only occur on occasion, not constantly. Otherwise there is a problem putting too much air into the water tank. See WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS.
• Hissing sounds from steam escaping from steam vents on a steam heating system - See Steam Vent Noise.
• Hissing sounds from a water leak - such as a hole in a water supply pipe - you'll find this plumbing system noise pretty fast
• Hissing sounds in a building where there is an insect infestation or in some cases, a snake or reptile problem
• Hearing and health-related issues can make people experience a hissing noise as well, such as tinnitis, other medical conditions, or in some cases psychosocially generated auditory sensation

Insect Noise and Insect-caused Noises in buildings

Insect noise and insect-caused noises in buildings

• Termites or carpenter ants, while tiny as individuals, as a group, chewing away at wood components in a building can make a chewing or tearing noise that some people and many pets or other animals can hear, especially if there is no covering background noise.
• See Animal noises.
• Buzzing noises may be a colony of honeybees in the building wall. Watch out: don't go cutting the wall open - you may be attacked.
• See Rot, fungus, termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, & other wood destroying organisms
  
  

Plumbing System Noises in buildings, Causes, Cures: list of sources of plumbing noise

This article explains identifying types of plumbing noises and tracing them to their source. For the broad topic of controlling plumbing noises in buildings see Sound Control for Plumbing

Plumbing System Noises in buildings include these categories

• Banging pipes, creaks, rattles, and vibrations: see WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE
• Clanging, ringing sounds in buildings are often traced to loose water supply piping, water hammer in supply piping (see WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE) or steam pipe banging and clanging (see Heating System Noises)
• Drain piping noises from clogged or partly clogged drains - see CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
• Drips at plumbing fixtures may make an obvious drip or splash sound. But dripping water can be tricky to track down. Don't forget to consider
  • A small water supply leak inside of a building cavity can produce a noise that is hard to track down. Supply pipe leaks may be continuous (and thus are eventually discovered by water stains or mold) or intermittent, such as a leak around a tub or shower control that drips into the wall cavity only when the valve is turned "on".
  • A drain piping leak inside of a building cavity can also produce a noise that is hard to track down. But a drain drip noise should not be present when no fixtures have water running into them. But don't forget that a quietly running toilet can also produce a drip or other plumbing problems downstream from the toilet in the building drain piping.
• Plumbing Fixture noises at drains, gurgling, glug glug sounds, burbling, bubbling during drainage when sinks, tubs, or showers drain, or when a toilet is flushed - see NOISE, PLUMBING DRAIN REPAIR - fixing plumbing noises at drains by fixing drain or vent problems and see  PLUMBING VENT DEFECTS & NOISES and CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR.
• Plumbing water supply piping noises include
  • Leaks in water pipes outside of the building but in water supply piping coming to the building from a municipal water main or city water piping can produce a humming, hissing, or ringing sound in the building. If you turn off the main water shutoff at the building and listen with a mechanic's stethoscope to the water pipes on the street side of the shutoff valve, comparing this sound to pipes in the building you can identify this problem. See Water Supply/Drain Pipe Leak Types and see WELL PIPING LEAK DIAGNOSIS.
  • Running water in the building that is unanticipated, such as a running toilet or intermittent cycling water pump (private well systems) will produce intermittent water pipe noises. See Toilet Runs Continuously and see INTERMITTENT CYCLING WATER PUMPS.
  • Water hammer noise: banging or clanking sounds when water faucets are shut off - see WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE
  • Water pipe transmission of vibrations in well pumps or other pumps used in the plumbing system - see NOISE, PLUMBING CHECKLIST for details.
• Water pump noises: hiss, hum, motor sounds, clunks, or thunks: at water pumps or well pumps. Water pumps can be quite noisy, depending on the pump type and model, and the pump location. If the well pump is a submersible unit located inside the well, normally the only noise you'll observe in the building is the clicking of the pump control relay(s) that turn the pump on or off, and possibly a modest sound of water entering the water pressure tank or building piping.
  • Water pump noises change from loud and rattling to a more quiet hum if a pump has lost prime (contains air instead of water) and then regains its prime (contains water). Running a pump "dry" can also destroy it. See WATER PUMP TYPES & LIFE EXPECTANCY.
  • But if your well pump is located indoors the pump motor sound can be loud and disturbing. We do not recommend simply surrounding the pump or covering it with fiberglass insulation in contact with the pump or water tank, because condensation can lead to a mold problem. But enclosing a well pump in a utility room that has benefited from sound control insulation can make a big reduction in pump noise heard in the rest of the structure. -- see SOUND CONTROL and also see NOISE, PLUMBING CHECKLIST for details about well pump sound transmission through air or through water piping.
  • See INTERMITTENT CYCLING WATER PUMPS for an explanation of water pumps that turn on unexpectedly.
  • See SHORT CYCLING WATER PUMP or SHORT CYCLING DIAGNOSIS TABLE if the well pump is turning on and off too frequently
  • See WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING if the well pump simply won't stop running at all
  • Hissing noise of air escaping at water tanks: air escaping from the air volume control valve on some water pressure tanks, such as the U.S. Gauge Type 310WJ Air Volume Controls makes a hissing noise and is normal but should only occur on occasion, not constantly. Otherwise there is a problem putting too much air into the water tank. See WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS.
  • A "thunk" or "clunk" sound heard around the water pressure tank or water pressure tank controls can be caused by check valve, control, or piping troubles. See WATER PUMP NOISES for details.
• Water pressure tank and water storage tank noises:
  • Bubbling and gurgling at the water pressure tank is usually air in the well piping system; look for a leak in the well piping system or low water levels in the well. See AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES
  • Clicking at the water pressure tank, especially if the well pump is submersible (in the well and nowhere near the tank itself) is more likely the water pump pressure control relay clicking in and out to turn the pump on and off. If the clicking is rapid, every few seconds, your well pump is short-cycling and needs repair. See SHORT CYCLING WATER PUMP
  • Squeals and shrieks from water pressure tank: A squealing water pressure tank sound is often due to water passing through a restricted valve or pipe clog. A high pitched shriek or whine also occurs during fill-ups of water tanks whose water level is controlled by a float. In that case the noise seems to come from a combination of stick float mechanism that may not fully open the fill valve and thus a partial restriction in the water line. Shrieking from a water pressure tank that incorporates a bladder may be due to a partly collapsed bladder or obstruction at the tank entrance fittings.
• Running toilets - may produce a high pitched sound, or may be silent but sill running
• SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS may include pumps that produce noise in the building - see Pump Noises above.
• Plumbing drain piping or plumbing fixture noise diagnosis and cure - - see NOISE, PLUMBING DRAIN REPAIR - fixing plumbing noises at drains by fixing drain or vent problems and see  PLUMBING VENT DEFECTS & NOISES and CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR. Also see NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING where we describe reducing the annoying sounds of normal plumbing system piping and fixtures.
• Plumbing Supply piping noises, including a high-pitched hissing or whistling sound may be heard as water runs through building supply piping. This sound should stop immediately when you turn off any fixture that is running water in the building. You may be able to stop or reduce plumbing supply piping noise by changing the water system pressure at a municipal water supply valve.
  
  Try first just slightly reducing the incoming water pressure. See WATER PRESSURE REGULATOR ADJUSTMENT. We have also corrected this noise by slightly closing the main water shutoff valve at a municipal supply to adjust the incoming water flow rate.
  
  If your water pipes are making a banging or clanging sound at the moment when water is turned off, see WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE
• . Plumbing vent piping-caused plumbing system noises and odors - At PLUMBING DRAIN VENTS we explain the basics of proper plumbing vent piping and how errors cause trap siphonage, odors, and noises.
  • See   PLUMBING DRAIN VENTS
      PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS
      PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR
      PLUMBING VENT DEFINITIONS & TYPES
      PLUMBING VENT DEFECTS & NOISES
  • Also see CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR.
  • See NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING for a discussion about insulation and sound proofing of building plumbing
    
  • Also see  WINTERIZE A BUILDING - how to protect a building and its plumbing and mechanical systems from freeze damage, how to shut down a building to minimize damage; how to de-winterize a building.
• Water heater noises: see WATER HEATER NOISES - identify and cure noises at water heaters such as rumbling, clanking, burbling, hissing, and clinking noises observed at water heaters. Also there may be noises at the water heater due to oil or gas burner problems. See OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS.
• Water tank noises: Bubbling sounds if air is being forced into the water tank from an air leak in well piping, low well water level, or from an air volume control. Hissing noise of air escaping at water tanks: see WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS.
• Other advice about controlling normal plumbing noises in buildings by controlling sound transmission is at  SOUND CONTROL for PLUMBING.
  

Roof Noise Transmission & Structural Noises in buildings: Sources, Causes, Remedies

Details about roof noise and sound transmission cause and remedy are at ROOF NOISE TRANSMISSION. Excerpts are below.

Certain building configurations, such as occupied attics or under-roof areas with cathedral ceilings, and metal roofed buildings may transmit noises to the building interior through the roof sheathing and building framing.

Where roof-transmitted sound reduction is most sought is in buildings located close to high noise areas such as under the flight path to airports.

Our photo of metal roofed homes (left) shows two older houses in Key West, Florida.

Types of Roof Noises & Sounds

Roof noises may be described as those attributed to an obvious source: the patter or even the roar of falling rain or hail, popping and cracking noises (perhaps due to thermal expansion and contraction of roof coverings, metal roofing, or roof structure), and transmitted noises from other external sources such as low-flying aircraft or nearby trains or auto & truck traffic from a nearby highway.

Accurate diagnosis of the source of roof noise transmission is important in deciding what remedy may work best. For example, check during rainfall to accurately determine the loudest sound source - you might find that more noise is transmitted to the building interior through skylights than through the roof surface itself. man ear as cutting noise levels in half, a reduction of over 20 decibels is significant. - Colbond [2]

We describe at METAL ROOF EXPOSED FASTENER FLASHING

One frequently cited disadvantage of metal roofing is that it generates a noticeable noise when struck by rain, hail, or even dropping acorns. If installed directly to purlins with no roof sheathing, the noise might be heard in the building interior. However, when installed over a solid substrate, with normal levels of insulation, the noise should not be noticeably different than with other roofing types.

See METAL ROOFING and METAL ROOF EXPOSED FASTENER FLASHING for details.

Sound Transmission Class - STC & OITC: Sound Transmission Loss Properties for Building Walls & Roofs

Definition of STC or Sound Transmission Class

STC or sound transmission class is defined as the level of reduction of sound transmission from outside noise sources to the building interior. Higher STC numbers mean higher resistance to sound transmission to the building interior, or as acousticians would describe it, higher STC means greater sound transmission loss between outdoors and the building interior. Typical STC values for metal buildings are STC=20 to STC=55.

OITC or Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class describes the sound transmission loss properties of building exterior components like windows and walls against noise from traffic, trains, or low flying aircraft.

- General Steel Corporation [3]

See SOUND CONTROL for a series of articles on sound control in buildings.

Siding Noises, Possible Causes, Effects, Cures for Vinyl Siding

Question: Why is our Siding Creaking, Popping, Crackling?

We had our house vinyl sided recently....We are hearing lots of creaking, popping,crackling , squeaking noises coming from the siding...at times it is so loud that we cannot stay outside on our deck.

I have never heard of this problem and none of my friends with vinyl siding have this problem.

I am being told these noises are normal caused by the siding contracting and expanding when the sun hits it..

Have you ever heard of this before ? if so, any idea what is causing it ?

I have been trying to research it and some articles talk about nails being driven in too tight.

Thank you for your help ...I appreciate it.

John, Massapequa, New York

Reply: We Suspect Improper Nailing Plus Installation over a Squeaky Insulation or Insulating Board - How to Diagnose Siding Noises

A competent onsite inspection by an expert usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose a problem. That said, here are some things to consider:

Tight Siding Trouble: Your hypothesis that the siding is not properly installed, and that some sections are nailed too tightly is a good place to start.

Our sketch (left) shows how siding should be hung on the building wall, from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.

Here is the reasoning and here are some diagnostic suggestions:

Siding Needs to Move: Especially if the new wall siding was installed over a squeaky surface such as polystyrene foam board or foil faced leveling board, as the siding heats in the sun and expands it wants to move, mostly in the horizontal or lateral direction. If the siding is nailed tight against the wall it might be making the sounds you are asking about. We discuss proper siding installation, including the importance of "hanging" the siding on the wall, not "nailing" the siding to the wall, at VINYL SIDING INSTALLATION.

Siding Doesn't Want to be TOO Loose: however we don't want siding to be inadequately nailed to the building, since that leads to siding blowing off from wind damage.

The siding can be hung with allowance for movement, but if the installer also did not use enough nails the siding may still come off of the walls. Or if you hear siding banging and clacking, it may be blowing around in the wind. That's what happened to the condominium in our siding photo at left.

Test the Siding Tightness: See if you can with just hand pressure slide the siding back and forth about 1/4" on the wall - it should be movable. The nail holes are oblong for this purpose and siding should be hung loosely so it can move with temperature changes - otherwise it may buckle

Look for Siding Buckling: Look along the siding to see if it looks buckled, especially when it's warmed up

Listen to the Siding: Listen to the siding up close when you are hearing these noises - put your ear close to but not touching the siding so it can move if it wants to - see if you can hear sounds right at the wall. Of course there could be something else going on - after all we're just emailing here.

Record the Siding Sounds? Did you ever listen to NPR's car talk? Click and Clack the Tappett Brothers? See if you can make a recording of the siding sound and send it to us.

Fix the Noisy Siding: unfortunately, if you discover that indeed the siding is too tightly fastened to the wall, at least on the wall section that gets the most direct sunlight, the only "fix" we know of is to remove the siding and re-hang it properly, allowing for movement. There is no emergency, except that as Spring comes you might want to be on your deck. See VINYL SIDING INSPECTION & REPAIR

Stair and Step Noises in buildings

Stair noises in buildings include noisy stair treads that may creak or snap when stepped-on. See

• Stairways: Stair, Railing, Landing Safety Inspections, stair codes, stair design, stair hazards, stair inspection checklist
• Also see Flooring and Floor Noises

Wall Noise Transmission Articles

Noise transmitted through walls (or ceilings) from mechanical rooms (boilers, furnaces) or utility rooms (washing machine, dryer) can be reduced by using good sound isolation construction and insulating materials. See SOUND CONTROL for a series of articles on sound control in buildings.

Causes of Water heater noises or sounds in buildings

WATER HEATER NOISES in buildings include Crackling or popping sounds as the water heater is warming up, especially if the water supply is high in mineral content, leading to mineral deposits on the bottom of the water heater or on electric water heating elements Water heater noises & sounds: see WATER HEATER NOISES for details, diagnosis, and cure of water heater sounds. Watch out: water heater noises can indicate a high level of water heater scaling that increases water heating cost, reduces the quantity of hot water available, and can reduce water heater life. Water heater noises can also indicate that the heater has been set to a too-high temperature and may be unsafe, risking scalding or other hazards. See these water heater articles: WATER HEATER NOISES   Water Heater Flush Procedure   WATER HEATER SCALE - De-Liming   Water Heater Scale Prevention WATER HEATER SAFETY

Wind Noise and wind-caused noises in buildings: causes, diagnosis, cures

Wind Noise and wind-caused noises in buildings include these common mechanisms

• Air movement through building openings, leaky windows, gaps, cracks in siding
• Air movement over irregularly shaped building surfaces or attachments
• Buzzing, roaring, rumbling - traced to wind noise over loose on-roof components such as loose shingles, loose metal roofing, guy wires for roof-mounted antennae
• Squeaking and creaking - traced to wind-blown things attached to building exteriors such as signs, antennas, aerials, weather vanes. Described in detail below, a reader reported wind-caused movement as traced to a squeaky sign mounted on a metal bracket, another reader reported the squeaking was her roof-mounted TV antenna.
• See Chimney Noises - wind blowing over or down chimneys.
• Wind turbine noises: hums, roars - see WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
• Also see Windows & Doors - air leaks can be noisy at these openings
• Moaning sign whistles and wails in the wind: an astute detective reader reported this noise investigation work that tracked down a whistling, moaning, wailing that appeared to be heard at the top of a chimney:
  
  We installed a multi wood burning stove last November, connecting it to an existing chimney.When the wind blew we hear whistling, moaning, wailing noises from the top of chimney - it which disturbed our sleep. When wind was from the south west the sound was the worst. [This may be a diagnostic clue - look closely at that side of the building.]
  
  After much thought and we managed to get help from a chimney sweep, but all he could tell us was that the noise was not a chimney noise. That just about finished us. We had been in the loft, observing that the noise not so bad, then later it would be heard all over the house. Always the noise occurred when we had a south west wind.
  
  We looked around more at the outside of our building and we found the cause of this whistling, moaning, and wailing when the wind blew:
  
  It was quite simple - don’t laugh. We had a very large old pub sign put up some years ago just for a bit of fun. The pub sign is made of wrought iron and is extremely heavy. With the weight of the hanging sign rubbing on the bracket that secured the sign to the building, the wind caused the bolts into the wall to vibrate. The noise echoed around the house. We had even considered moving house as the noise was so bad. The laugh is we would have taken the sign with us! -- S. Hazeldine, U.K.

Track Down Window & Door Related Noises in buildings

While sound-reducing or low-sound transmission windows using noise-reducing laminated glass and similar noise-reducing exterior or interior building doors are available, remember that as soon as you open a window for ventilation, the sound isolation benefit at that location is lost.

Sound-reducing doors should be of solid materials, have no glass windows or glazing, and should be sealed around the door perimeter with sound insulating foam or similar gaskets.

WINDOWS & DOORS articles on window selection, installation, efficiency, leaks, diagnosis, and repair

• SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR 
• SLOPED GLAZING DETAILS
• VERTICAL GLAZING DETAILS

Also see These Articles on Sound Control Measures to Reduce Noise Transmission in buildings

• SOUND CONTROL in buildings - provides principles of sound transmission, soundproofing designs, materials, details
• Also see INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT: Insulation in buildings: Identification, R-values, Heat loss, Insulation Types, Insulation Characteristics
• Fiberglass Building insulation: are fiberglass particles a problem in indoor air? Is fiberglass insulation a mold harbor

Frequently Asked Questions about how to track down and cure the source of noises or sounds in houses & other buildings

Question: horrible howling noise in bedroom when it is windy outdoors

I have a howling noise coming in my bedroom whenever it is windy weather. It is really awful at night when it gets really loud. Can anyone tell me how to fix this horrible sound problem? - Kate

Reply:

Kate, please take a look at the articles on tracking down building noises beginning at SOUND CONTROL in buildings where you will see a series of suggested places to look when tracking down annoying building noises. In that article you'll find a section on identifying common sources of Wind Noises.

If that information leaves you with questions don't hesitate to ask and I'll research further and do my best to help.

Specifically about wind, we have traced house noises to loose shingles, roof openings, and even signs or other things hanging on the building. But take a look at our house noise articles.

Question: Roof vibration & snoring noises follow new stucco walls & new roof

We had our house stuccoed and a new roof installed this summer. Now there is vibration from the roof, about 20 dB inside and a little louder outside. It is on one side of the roof only and can be heard in all rooms on that side of the house. I see a buckle between 2 shingles at the bottom edge but cannot detect movement in any shingles. Current wind is about 20 mph with gusts at 30; temperature is about 40 degrees. Sound is present regardless of precipitation. - Harper Snapp

When I listen to it now, I notice that the sound resembles snoring. Earlier in the morning I thought perhaps it was somebody starting and restarting a motorcycle, maybe 1/8 to 1/4 mile away.

Reply:

Harper:

That's a remarkable house noise - snoring due to wind noise through roofing materials. The noise could also be roof-related but by other components such as wind blowing through a vent or across guy wires of an antenna or over a chimney.

If you trace the problem to roof shingles it may be that the self-sealing tab feature has not yet activated - the risk is shingle wind damage.

Inspect the roof and the house exterior for things that might be the noise source, and see if you can interfere with movement in each one individually. For example I've put bricks along a roof edge (with obvious safety warnings about falling bricks) to hold down suspected loose shingles to test for reduction in wind noise.

keep us posted. What you learn will help other readers.

Reader follow-up:

Thanks. I have now read about the self-sealing tabs. There is one shingle at the bottom edge which is raised. I am guessing that would be because it is improperly installed. We have also discovered that the snoring sound and the idling-motorcycle sound are coming from different areas. As soon as the rain stops I will try the brick trick and look at some other things. I had previously consider the soffit vents, but they haven't been altered or even removed. I will keep you posted.

Question: Constant humming in new wood framed house

i live in a new build , wooden framed house, that has a constant hum going round it. the housing association had sound recording equipment put in to monitor it, and this recorded a humming , but the source couldnt be detected, the ha decided not to investigate any further as it was not cost effective. But i am going round the bend with this constant humming. No one else in my street is bothered by it, as they all live in busy households , so dont really hear it, but i live in a quiet house , and have an illness.

My hearing has been checked, and apparantly i have very poor middle and higher hearing, and the clinic thinks my lower hearing is overcompensating for this. but i think the wooden stucture of my house is somehow amplyfying the outside noises, possibly from my airsource heating system , and all my neighbours ones, and and my house is acting like some kind of vacumn to it. I cant take much more of this constant noise, im so tired and irratible - A Schulen

Reply:

A Schulen:

It sounds as if you want to take a dual approach: consulting with your physician or audiologist as well as having independent confirmation of the noise around your home. There are quite a few potential sources of humming noises in buildings. Once any question about the role of your hearing has been sorted out and the humming noise independently confirmed, I'd start some detective work using the suggestions in the list above.

Question: rain patter sound complaints at 50 year old house

Hello friends,

This is a bit long winded, I appreciate anyone who makes it through the first paragraph. I have a sound in my home that is driving me CRAZY!

Brief Background. I purchased a 50 year old home about 1 year ago. The home is a ranch style, with a basement. It is a typical A-Frame style that is "longer" than it is wider. There is a fireplace in the basement family room and one in the upstairs living room. After living there about a month or so, I remember waking up to hearing the pitter-patter of rain on my roof and gutters. It had been a rainy couple of days and I embraced the sound of my new home. I woke up, looked out the window, and realized it was nothing but sunny skies. Once my ear "caught" this sound, I realized it was fairly constant, and it stuck.

The sound. This is hard to describe, but I will give a few examples. The pitter-patter of rain on a roof is a good description, because rain on a roof is constant, but not syncopated i.e. each drop is a little louder or softer but there is a consistent sound. It sounds like a very light tapping on PVC tubing or thinwall conduit. If the audible thresh-hold of sound is 3.0db, these vary around 3.0 to 3.1.

It seems to be non-stop, year long, weather unrelated.

What I've done. I turned off the Main Electrical Circuit Breaker and turned off the gas going to my hot water heater, and I could very clearly hear the noise.

My problem. It seems like it is coming from the attic, but when I go into the attic, it seems like it is coming from the west side, but when I get to the west side, it sounds like it is coming from the east side. I can hear this noise anywhere in the basement, or anywhere on the main floor, but it seems more pronounced on one side of the house, which is the side of the house with the chimneys. I've stuck my head in the chimneys, but can't make heads or tails of it, I actually can't hear anything in the chimneys. I've stuck my ear up to the attic vents, but hear mostly ambient noise. I've checked the gutters, the chimney caps, and each and every piece of conduit/plumbing running thru-out this house for loose or noisy connections. There is also an Air Conditioning Unit in the attic. I have adjusted, padded and checked every piece of A.C. tubing related to that. No issues. There is also all the A.C. duct work that runs through the attic. I've inspeceted all mounting brackets and again, placed my ear directly to the ducts, but cannot hear anything. I've yet to find the source.

It's a shame that I finally moved out of the door-slamming, car-alarming, domestic-dispute ridden apartment complex I had lived in, only to long for simple silence.

Any ideas? They will be most appreciated.
If I ever find a solution, I will surely post it!

Reply:

Pending follow-up

Question: Popping sounds from French Doors

The french doors in my bedroom (to the lanai) "pop", both day and night. The popping is so loud at night that it wakes me up. I don't know if it's the wood or the windows. They pop when the AC goes on or off, when someone opens a door, or most of the time for no reason at all that I can hear. Any ideas of how I can fix this ??? I'm becoming sleep deprived !!! - Sue Newton

Reply:

Sue Newton,

Popping French Doors - sounds as if there is a thermal expansion and contraction source of noise. Check the door hinges, air seals, and mount to be sure they are secure and that the door latches firmly. If that makes no difference, I'd give the manufacturer a call and ask for their help. Keep us posted -what you learn may help other readers.

Question:

I have a 60 year old home with a fairly new 95% eff Amana gas furnace in the basement. The exhaust pipe is PVC and runs across the basement ceiling, vented to the outside of the house above ground level. As the furnace heats up, there is a clicking or dripping noise from the PVC. If I give it a tap with a stick, it stops. I have noticed moisture droplets off the coupling when I tap it. If I just let it alone, after 7-8 minutes the clicking stops on its own. Is it condensate heating up/moving/evaporating? It's extremely irritating because that exhaust pvc runs under my bedroom floor and I'd appreciate any tips on how to stop the noise. THANKS! - Lisa P

Reply:

Lisa P.

WATCH OUT: dripping backwards in a high efficiency gas furnace vent system may mean that the vent is improperly installed or pitched. If condensate is not being properly drained and disposed-of the risk is that the heater may be damaged or even unsafe. I'd ask your local heating service tech to check out the venting and condensate drainage in your heater.

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Questions & answers about diagnosing the source and finding the cure for noises or sounds in or around buildings and their systems.

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NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

• Acoustical Society of America - http://asa.aip.org/ Elaine Moran, ASA Office Manager, Suite 1NO1, 2 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville, NY 11747-4502 516) 576-2360, FAX: (516) 576-2377 email: asa@aip.org.
  ASA is an excellent source of noise and sound standards. Quoting from the associations history page:
  
  "From the Society's inception, its members have been involved in the development of acoustical standards concerned with terminology, measurement procedures, and criteria for determining the effects of noise and vibration. In 1932, The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), then called the American Standards Association, appointed the Acoustical Society as sponsor of a committee, designated as Z-24, to standardize acoustical terminology and measurements. The work of this committee expanded to such an extent that it was replaced in 1957 by three committees, S1 on Acoustics, S2 on Mechanical Shock and Vibration, and S3 on Bioacoustics, with a fourth, S12 on Noise, added in 1981. These four committees are each responsible for producing, developing a consensus for, and adopting standards in accordance with procedures approved by ANSI. Although these committees are independent of the Acoustical Society, the Society provide s the financial support and an administrative Secretariat to facilitate their work. After a standard is adopted by one of these committees and approved by ANSI, the Secretariat arranges for its publication by ASA through the American Institute of Physics. The ASA also distributes ISO and IEC standards. Abstracts of standards and ordering information can be found online on the ASA Standards Page. More than 100 acoustical standards have been published in this way; a catalog is also available from the Standards Secretariat (631-390-0215; Fax: 631-390-0217). The Society also provides administrative support for several international standards committees and acts as the administrative Secretariat (on behalf of ANSI) for the International Technical Committee on Vibration and Shock (TC-108)." - http://asa.aip.org/history.html
  
  
• ANSI/ASA S12.60, Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools, 2002.
  
  
• [1] Connelly, Maureen, Hodgson, Murray, "Thermal and Acoustical Performance of Green Roofs", Sound Transmission Loss of Green roofs, [presentation, Session 1.5], Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, conference, awards, trade show, Baltimore MD, 30 April-2 may 2008. Web search 4/3/2011 original source: http://commons.bcit.ca/greenroof/publications/
  2008_grhc_connelly_hodgson.pdf. These authors provide an excellent bibliography of references for sound transmission in buildings, including some of the references cited just below:
  • Sharp, BH 1973, Study of Techniques to Increase the Sound Insulation of Building Elements. U.S. Department of Commerce PB-222 829, Washington.
  • Sharp, BH & Martin S 1996, "The Measurement of Aircraft Noise Reduction in Residences", Proceedings of Inter-Noise, Liverpool, 1996, pp. 2747-2752.
  • Friberg, R 1973, "Transmission Loss and Absorption Factors for Corrugated Steel Roofs, Insulation on the Outside", Proceedings of Inter-Noise, Copenhagen, 1973, pp. 213-217.
    
• [2] Colbond, EnkaTech Note, "Acoustical Benefits of Roof Underlayments", Colbond Inc., PO Box 1057, Enka NC 28728, Tel: 800-365-7391, website: www.colbond-usa.com web search 4/3/2011, original source: http://products.construction.com/
  swts_content_files/1329/E835617.pdf
• [3] General Steel Corporation, "The Facts About the Acoustical Performance of Metal Building Insulation 2", Sound Transmission Class, General Steel Corporation, 10639 W. Bradford Road, Littleton, CO 80127, web search 4/3/11, original source: http://www.gensteel.com/insulation_facts-5a.htm
• [4] North American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA, "Insulation Facts #58: The Facts About the Acoustical Performance of Metal Building Insulation", NAIMA, 44 Canal Plaza, Suite 310, Alexandria VA 22314, tel: 703-684-0084, website: http://www.naima.org/
  
  
• Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
• Developments in Noise Control, NRCC, National Research Council, Canada, suggestions for noise control, sound transmission through block walls, plumbing noise control, noise leaks, and sound control advice. Web search 01/17/2011, original source: https://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/90-noise-control.html
• Thanks to audiologist Cheryl P. Harllee, licensed hearing specialist, for discussing noises and noise problems in preparation for this article. Ms. Harllee can be located at the Village Hearing Center, 249 U.S. Highway One, Tequesta FL 33469 561-744-0231
• Thanks to reader Sue Hazeldine, from the U.K. for discussing how she tracked down a whistling chimney noise to an antique hanging sign on the building exterior - 01/19/2010.
• Thanks to reader Michael Anderson, 8 May 2009, for discussing clicking sounds coming from air conditioning equipment.
• Thanks to reader Erna Ross who described loss of sleep due to a hissing noise at her home 06/15/2008.
• Marpac, produces white sound generators, a product that they identify as the Marpac sound conditioner. Marpac can be contacted at http://www.marpac.com/ or contact the Marpac Corporation, P.O. Box 560 Rocky Point, NC 28457 Phone: 800-999-6962 (USA and Canada) Fax: 910-602-1435 1-910-602-1421 (worldwide), 800-999- or email: info@marpac.com
• Sound Oasis sound conditioners are produced by Sound Oasis: http://www.sound-oasis.com/ email: info@sound-oasis.com or 1-866-625-3218
• Barrier Ultra-R super high-R building panels, produced by Glacier Bay, use Aerogel and are rated up to R-30 per inch, or in Barrier Ultra-r™ panels, R-50 per inch. The company also produces acoustic panels that are Ultra-db resistant and lightweight. Unlike the appliance insulation panels discussed in the original Q&A above on miracle insulation, these Areogel based panels will continue to retain some, though reduced insulating value if punctured, performing at perhaps R-9 per inch. The product is used in marine refrigerators, but in the future may be available as a residential construction product. The company is researching specialized products in medical, transportation, and aerospace applications. Contact: Glacier Bay, Inc., 2930 Faber Street, Union City, CA 94587 U.S.A., (510) 437-9100, Sales and Technical Information - sales@glacierbay.com
• Tremco, Tremco Global Sealants Division, 10701 Shaker Blvd., Cleveland OH 44104 - see www.tremcosealants.com/
• Ideal Tape, Inc., 1400 Middlesex St., Lowell MA 01853 - see www.abitape.com/tape/iframe_ideal.htm Tel: 1-800-284-3325
• 3-M Corporation, tape products, see solutions.3m.com/
• US EPA Noise Regulations & References
  • Noise Control act - http://www.nonoise.org/epa/act.htm
  • Quiet Communities Act - 1978
  • Federal Regulations from the EPA's Office of Noise Abatement & Control - http://www.nonoise.org/epa/reg.htm
  • A Basis for Limiting Noise Exposure for Hearing Conservation - http://www.nonoise.org/epa/Roll1/roll1doc1.pdf
  • Noise - a Health Problem - http://www.nonoise.org/library/epahlth/epahlth.htm - quoted below
    

    Racket, din, clamor, noise. Whatever you want to call it, unwanted sound is America's most widespread nuisance. But noise is more than just a nuisance. It constitutes a real and present danger to people's health. Day and night, at home, at work, and at play, noise can produce serious physical and psychological stress. No one is immune to this stress. Though we seem to adjust to noise by ignoring it, the ear, in fact, never closes and the body still responds - sometimes with extreme tension, as to a strange sound in the night.

    The annoyance we feel when faced with noise is the most common outward symptom of the stress building up inside us. Indeed, because irritability is so apparent, legislators have made public annoyance the basis of many noise abatement programs. The more subtle and more serious health hazards associated with stress caused by noise traditionally have been given much less attention. Nonetheless, when we are annoyed or made irritable by noise, we should consider these symptoms fair warning that other things may be happening to us, some of which may be damaging to our health.

  • Protective Noise Levels - 1979, basis for many local noise ordinances and codes - http://www.nonoise.org/library/levels/levels.htm
    This publication is intended to complement the EPA's "Levels Document,"* the 1974 report examining levels of environmental noise necessary to protect public health and welfare. It interprets the contents of the Levels Document in less technical terms for people who wish to better understand the concepts presented there, and how the protective levels were identified. In that sense, this publication may serve as an introduction, or a supplement, to the Levels Document.
• "Measurement of Highway-Related Noise", US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/measure/chap8.htm

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

• American Plywood Association, APA, "Portland Manufacturing Company, No. 1, a series of monographs on the history of plywood manufacturing",Plywood Pioneers Association, 31 March, 1967, www.apawood.org
• Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
• ASHRAE resource on dew point and wall condensation - see the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, available in many libraries. The following three ASHRAE Handbooks are also available at the InspectAPedia bookstore in the third page of our Insulate-Ventilate section:
  • 2005 ASHRAE Handbook : Fundamentals : Inch-Pound Edition (2005 ASHRAE HANDBOOK : Fundamentals : I-P Edition) (Hardcover), Thomas H. Kuehn (Contributor), R. J. Couvillion (Contributor), John W. Coleman (Contributor), Narasipur Suryanarayana (Contributor), Zahid Ayub (Contributor), Robert Parsons (Author), ISBN-10: 1931862702 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862707
  • 2004 ASHRAE Handbook : Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning: Systems and Equipment : Inch-Pound Edition (2004 ASHRAE Handbook : HVAC Systems and Equipment : I-P Edition) (Hardcover)
    by American Society of Heating, ISBN-10: 1931862478 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862479
    "2004 ASHRAE Handbook - HVAC Systems and Equipment The 2004 ASHRAE HandbookHVAC Systems and Equipment discusses various common systems and the equipment (components or assemblies) that comprise them, and describes features and differences. This information helps system designers and operators in selecting and using equipment. Major sections include Air-Conditioning and Heating Systems (chapters on system analysis and selection, air distribution, in-room terminal systems, centralized and decentralized systems, heat pumps, panel heating and cooling, cogeneration and engine-driven systems, heat recovery, steam and hydronic systems, district systems, small forced-air systems, infrared radiant heating, and water heating); Air-Handling Equipment (chapters on duct construction, air distribution, fans, coils, evaporative air-coolers, humidifiers, mechanical and desiccant dehumidification, air cleaners, industrial gas cleaning and air pollution control); Heating Equipment (chapters on automatic fuel-burning equipment, boilers, furnaces, in-space heaters, chimneys and flue vent systems, unit heaters, makeup air units, radiators, and solar equipment); General Components (chapters on compressors, condensers, cooling towers, liquid coolers, liquid-chilling systems, centrifugal pumps, motors and drives, pipes and fittings, valves, heat exchangers, and energy recovery equipment); and Unitary Equipment (chapters on air conditioners and heat pumps, room air conditioners and packaged terminal equipment, and a new chapter on mechanical dehumidifiers and heat pipes)."
  • 1996 Ashrae Handbook Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Systems and Equipment: Inch-Pound Edition (Hardcover), ISBN-10: 1883413346 or ISBN-13: 978-1883413347 ,
    "The 1996 HVAC Systems and Equipment Handbook is the result of ASHRAE's continuing effort to update, expand and reorganize the Handbook Series. Over a third of the book has been revised and augmented with new chapters on hydronic heating and cooling systems design; fans; unit ventilator; unit heaters; and makeup air units. Extensive changes have been added to chapters on panel heating and cooling; cogeneration systems and engine and turbine drives; applied heat pump and heat recovery systems; humidifiers; desiccant dehumidification and pressure drying equipment, air-heating coils; chimney, gas vent, fireplace systems; cooling towers; centrifugal pumps; and air-to-air energy recovery. Separate I-P and SI editions."
  • Principles of Heating, Ventilating, And Air Conditioning: A textbook with Design Data Based on 2005 AShrae Handbook - Fundamentals (Hardcover), Harry J., Jr. Sauer (Author), Ronald H. Howell, ISBN-10: 1931862923 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862929
  • 1993 ASHRAE Handbook Fundamentals (Hardcover), ISBN-10: 0910110964 or ISBN-13: 978-091011096
• Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
• "Insulation: Adding Insulation to an Existing Home," U.S. Department of Energy - tips on how to do your own check for the presence of absence of insulation in a home
• Insulation: Selecting Insulation for New Home Construction, U.S. Department of Energy - "Your state and local building codes probably include minimum insulation requirements, but to build an energy-efficient home, you may need or want to exceed them. For maximum energy efficiency, you should also consider the interaction between the insulation and other building components. This is called the whole-house systems design approach."
• Insulation Types, table of common building insulation properties from U.S. DOE. Readers should see INSULATION R-Values & Properties our own table of insulation properties that includes links to articles describing each insulation material in more detail.
• ...