Don’t ignore these sounds in your home
Homes can make a lot of unusual noises. It’s important to recognize which are harmless (like the popping sound of expanding wood) and which you should not ignore. Here are five sounds your home can make that can signal larger problems Bobvila.com suggests you address right away:
Clanking when you turn on the heat. “When first turning the heating system on in the fall homeowners often hear a groaning noise. You should also expect normal clicking and knocking with a baseboard hotwater system. However, the pump to the system should be silent. If you hear knocking located at the boiler itself, get a repairman to check it out right away!”
Scratching in your walls. While popping and creaking can be normal, the sounds of scratching or chittering behind your walls or in your attic, mean you could have rodents like mice, squirrels or raccoons in your home. You should address an infestation right away, before the pests can cause too much damage. You can set traps for smaller rodents, but for larger pests or infestation, consider calling a professional. Prevent further instruction by sealing up any entrances in your home.
Running water. You should not hear water running if no one is using the plumbing. This could mean there’s a broken pipe in your home. Sometimes under the floor or inside a wall. If you hear this, call a plumber right away.
Bubbling from the hot water heater. “A hot water heater works like a pot of boiling water, after a fire is lit, the water inside is heated until it’s ready for use. Sediment tends to build up at the bottom of the hot water tank. The strange crackling sound you hear is from the sediment bubbling, which could be a sign that the tank might be prematurely failing. To help prevent this situation, flush out your hot water tank every few months.”
A whistling furnace. If you hear whistling coming from your furnace, your filter needs to be changed. Ignoring this will cause the furnace to overcompensate and eventually suck exhaust gases into your home. Remember to change filters every month.