Questions & answers about finding and stopping noises at or around buildings, set #3..

This article series gives a Complete Index to Sources of Sounds Helps Diagnose, & Cure Noise Problems in or at Buildings.

How to Identify & Stop Noises & Sounds in Buildings, Q&A#3

These questions and answers about tracking down noise or sound complaints at or in buildings were posted originally at NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home - that article organizes our noise/sound diagnostic procedures for all types of sounds and sources. Please check it out.

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On 2020-12-15 - by (mod) -

That's unfortunate. You might have done the building management to favor if you complained about the noise as they may have mechanical equipment that's about to fail hard.

On 2020-12-14 by Anonymous

On vacation in Clearwater beach Florida for 2 weeks never was there a break of noise building a hotel I understand there will be noise
This was just awful
I work hard for a vacation to listen to this for 2 week

On 2020-11-24 - by (mod) -

I've gotten a bit confused here, David, maybe you can add some detail about how I'm thinking in a different direction from yours and I can be more helpful.

If there is a noise of water running in the supply piping (re-filling the toilet cistern) after a toilet is flushed, that's normal

and
similarly, you'd hear water running in the drain (if it's not sound-isolated) after the toilet flush, though only briefly.

If noise in the main drain continues for more than 10-20 seconds at any spot along that drain, either it's partly clogged and water is being released slowly past the clog, or perhaps it's not properly pitched at 1/8 to 1/4" per foot.

On 2020-11-24 by David H

Thanks, Dan...the water sound is only heard in the guest bathroom after the Master bathroom toilet is flushed.

The sound goes away after the flush is completed. I can hear it traveling in the sewer line underneath the guest bath as the water/debri travel to the street main sewer system. Other than that, there's never another water sound in the house.

On a side note, I just replaced the wax ring on the guest bathroom toilet and the sound is still heard when flushing. Our house isn't that complicated, it's about 1900 sq ft., single story with just the 2 bathrooms. It's about 17 years old.

Thanks again, still open for ideas. I'm going to replace the other wax ring tomorrow, just for fun.

On 2020-11-23 - by (mod) -

David

Pretty certain that if you hear water running and there is water running somewhere in the building even if it's tough to track down. Clearing out the vents and drains by power washing is not going to fix the problem and in fact may have nothing to do with it.

.I would look for a subtle source of running water such as a toilet that's running but slowly enough that you don't actually see it when you look at the toilet. Sometimes we use septic die coloring in the toilet tank to detect that leak by noticing the color showing up in the toilet bowl.

We also look for condensate drain's and on older buildings we might even find a sub system or worse yet a roof drainage system is running into the building drain.

On 2020-11-23 by David H

Why do i hear water running in my sewer pipe under the toilet in the guest bath when toilet in the master bath is flushed in another part of the house. We can also hear this when a sink water is running in a drain in the kitchen.

I had a plummer out and they power sprayed my drains and vents. I still hear the flushing sounds. I've also replaced all the toilet parts in the tank including the flappers. Both toilets are Toto. I checked with Toto and they haven't heard of this either...any ideas?

On 2020-11-08 by Greg

the last minute) Greg said:
Installed 2-1/2” iso glued to 1/2”OSB atlas nail base over complete house roof that has vaulted ceiling’s. The ceiling is 2x8 pine tongue and groove with 4x6 rafters at 32” centers.

We now get cracking and popping as outside temperature rises in am and drops in pm.
Any clues to cause.
Thanks

On 2020-07-30 by Valerie Nowak

My mother lives in a nursing home. Her room is next to the fire exit stairwell. Sometimes when it is windy she hears a very loud howling sound that can sometimes go on for hours during am or pm.

There is a new HVAC AC/Heater. Her AC is functioning normally. Could the noise be coming from a draft going up the stairwell. She is on the second floor. At times she can also hear it through the ceiling. What can we do to silence the noise?

On 2020-07-27 by Anonymous

sounds like my well is constantly humming

On 2020-06-06 - by (mod) -

I agreed that that sounds like a piece of equipment running. Can be indexed related articles you'll see a link to a sound diagnosis log that helps you record information that can sometimes help track the sound to is source

On 2020-06-04 by LS

I am in a 1953 brick building in NYC. I hear a noise that sounds like, but is not, a car idling outside my window and only in one particular room. This sound begins at night usually around 10:00 p.m. and goes on for the entire night.

It's a continual, steady motor running kind of sound, not like an A/C that starts & stops and not a hum. None of my neighbors are on medical equipment. It can go on for a few days and then stop for weeks and then resume. Ideas?

On 2020-05-11 - by (mod) -

Janek

Apologies but for the sort of vibration complaint you describe you need an onsite expert; from a brief e-text alone I cannot guess at what's happening.

Be sure to also check with your doctor about the pain, pressure, headache, and sleep disturbance.

On 2020-05-11 by Janek

High rise apartament problems : vibration floor and walks. pressure pain in body headache especially evident during night lack of sleep.

On 2020-04-08 - by (mod) -

AK

Before bringing in an experienced building diagnostician, you might try keeping a sound event log such as it's described by an article with that name in the article index found on this page. By keeping track of what's going on in the building when you hear the sound we can often get a clue as to its probable cause.

On 2020-04-07 by AK

For the past few weeks we’ve been hearing loud thudding noises, like something heavy being dropped. At other times it sounds like tremendously loud footsteps. It seems to be coming from the apartments above us however they claim it not them and they hear the noise too. It’s an 8 story apartment building built in 2000. The walls actually have soundproofing (or at least that’s what the super said) What’s the best way to go about locating the source?

 

On 2016-11-05 by Michael Chew - buzzing pipe sounds like refrigerator noise

From a tenant:

hey mike ive been hearing this noise for a while now and thought it was the refrigerator but when i went down to the storage area to grab something i found out where this noise was coming from.

not sure which pipe or what it is but it echoes through the whole unit all night long. going a bit crazy hearing it all day. i attached a video of the noise from the water heater.

Anybody have any thoughts?

On 2016-10-27 by deanh321@comcast.net - TV chatter noise

For the past mmonth I keep hearing what sounds like TV chatter......expecially at night between midnight and 6:00 am though sometimes I hear it in the morning too.

I have

On 2016-07-05 by (mod) -

Sorry, Dean, No. To avoid any conflict of interest and loss of reader trust, we do not sell any product nor service.

See this EXPERTS DIRECTORY for help finding someone who can help you out.

On 2016-07-04 by dean

do you provide noise detection services in nyc?

On 2016-05-08 by (mod) - buzz continues with electrical power off?

Sue:

If you switched off the main breaker to your home the buzz could still be coming from your abutting living unit.

WATCH OUT: if this is really an electrical problem the bigger risk is a fatal house fire. Ask your neighbours to also switch off their main panel. If you still hear the noise then it's probably not from the electrical system, unless from a nearby power line transformer or other neighboring building.

Try also turning off everything else, system by system, starting with water supply.

Also check for an insect infestation such as bees in a wall or ceiling.

Keep us posted.

On 2016-05-07 by sue high frequency buzz

pls pls pls can anyone help - we live in a semi detatched property - past 4 weeks we have been suffering with a very high frequency buzz - only certain people can hear it - it is affecting our every day lives now - our ears are constantly sore with the pressure of this noise

- it is in every room and we have resorted at times to sleeping away from home. We have turned the electics off at the fuse box but noise still continues

- I have rang various acoustics companies who cannot help - we need to pinpoint exactly where this high pitch frequency buzz in coming from

- it is all over the house in every room - its affecting our pets too - any suggestions at all would be most appreciated thank you

On 2016-03-21 by Jerry - very small sound

I heard a very small sound when it is very quiet. but I couldn't tell where does it come from. it is all over my house. I turned off my electricity and water and the sound is still there. What should I do?

On 2016-03-10 1 by bls- high pitched whine

I live in a high rise building. There is a high pitched whine, once you hear it you can't stop from outside the building.

There are other buildings nearby and many have cooling towers, etc. I was hoping to find out if there are consultants who can deterime the source of a noise like this (I am hopeful there is equipment that can do this these days). And if so, how to get in touch with these types of businesses. This is Chicago. Many thanks.

On 2016-03-03 by (mod) -

re posting

AUTHOR:Pierre (no email)
COMMENT:... correction below: I thought of emptying the room ... not matting the room (damn spell checker) :)

On 2016-03-03 by (mod) - a battery operated sudoku game had fallen out of the drawer and was hidden inside the night table.

RE-posting:

AUTHOR:Pierre (no email)
COMMENT:So I reported earlier on the frustrating experience of trying to locate a high pitch noise in my basement bedroom. With the help of this site, I was able to rule out house electrical, house plumbing, house natural gas, furnace, water heater, door bell and alarm system, insects, rodents, and hearing problem.

So that just left battery operated devices, which I completely remove from the room ... or so I thought! Turns out that a battery operated sudoku game had fallen out of the drawer and was hidden inside the night table.

That little toy was continuously emitting at 2300 Hz and 20 dB. Loud enough to be clearly heard and annoying in a quiet room at night, but very difficult to pinpoint

. Sound meters are not generally operating below 30 dB so these were of no help, and the noise was bouncing around on the walls inside the room making it seem like it was coming from everywhere. I ended up using a doctor's stethoscope to find it. After checking every square inch of the wall in the corner of the room where the noise seem loudest and not finding anything,

I finally put the stethoscope to the night table out of desperation (I mean, why would a seemingly empty night table emit a high pitch noise!!!), and there it was. I ripped the bottom cover of the night table, and there was that toy that had been continuously squealing for the past several months! I removed the batteries and, FINALLY, after months of searching for this off and on, the high pitch noise was gone.

Lesson learned: At one point, after running out of ideas, I thought of matting the room of all the furniture. But I couldn't see the point so I didn't ... and the rest is history and a story that will be told and retold :)

On 2016-02-25 by (mod) -

Some digital VOMs and digital multimeters accept a dB sensor and are around 100. I don't have a specific model to suggest. Let's both search a bit.

On 2016-02-24 by Anonymous

many thanks for the prompt feedback. Natural gas tech was here today to confirm it was not the problem.

So now have eliminated electrical, water, and gas and anything with a battery. Many people can hear the noise so it's not tinnitus on my part. No leaky toilets and unlikely it is insect related. Can you recommend a dB meter? they tend to be very expensive.

On 2016-02-24 by (mod) -

Pierre:

As turning off power and water did not stop the noise, unless there is an odd delayed drain noise (say from a leaky toilet tank), I'd be looking for an outside source, an insect source, or a hearing disorder. Often help from an independent person who has very good hearing, or use of a DB meter, can point to a sound source.

On 2016-02-24 by Pierre continuous high pitch noise

We are getting a continuous high pitch noise (2300 Hz) in the basement bedroom about 20 dB. Seems to be coming from one specific corner but it is very hard to pinpoint. The noise is NOT present in any other room. The bed room is right next to the furnace room, but no noise in the furnace room.

Turned off power to the house, and noise continues. Turned off water to the house and opened taps, and noise continues. Nothing with any batteries in the room. Noise has been going on for months. Would you have any ideas what the source might be? How can we best pinpoint the source? thanks!

On 2016-02-13 by (mod) - bathub drain noise

Let's ask, what's changed? It would be unusual for a drain noise to suddenly begin if nothing else in the building changed and if the drain was always in use. Perhaps it was not noticed because of other background sounds.

Or a change such as a partly clogged drain or vent could cause gurgling sounds that would be new.

On 2016-02-13 by Jennifer

Hi and thank you for answering our questions. We live in a brick ranch home built in '70 on slab. Just recently we have started to be able to hear the bathtub draining through our floor vents throughout the house?

There are absolutely no other signs of a problem. What could this be?

On 2016-02-04 02:09:02.130045 by Zoe

Hi, I moved into a new built apartment half a year ago. Since I moved in I noticed the humming in my flat. This is a kind of a humming noise and it never stopped. At the beginning I thought the humming is from the ceiling but if I attached me ear on the inside wall in my flat I can hear the lound humming.

This is a 9 floor building and my flat is on the 6th floor. I can hear the humming on the corridor of this floor, but it is not as lound as it in my flat. Below floor 4, there is no noise. On floor 5 and floor 7, the humming is lighter than floor 6.

Could you please send me some possible clues for the humming? Thanks.

On 2016-01-29 by Stu - high pitched screeching sound

In my property there is what I would describe as a high pitched screeching sound fairly constantly. Like having a screech that some people hear when the TV or monitor is on. Possibly related to the chimney as seems loudest in that direction. Could also I guess be from next door. Any ideas on what may be causing it and what can be done about it?

On 2016-01-04 by (mod) - using a dB meter or a stethoscope to find sound source

A dB meter or even a mechanic's stethoscope can help track sound to its source.

On 2016-01-04 by Pasquino - music noise

How do you detect music from a neighbour? I actually can't hear a sound, just feel a strong vibration that pulsates through my bed and pillow. I live between two apartments. I think its the result of the bass of the music but how do I work out which apartment its coming from?

On 2015-12-06 by Anonymous

Thanks danjoe! I realize it is an external noise. Cannot locate and have no reasonable idea of where the noise is coming from. Have already tried the utilities in my area (power and water) to no avail. The tone is definitely on the base side which precludes me from being able to identify the source.

You suggested a dB meter? Can you tell me what type I need and where I might be able to acquire one? Will they generally work on base sound? Any help is greatly appreciated!

On 2015-12-06 by (mod) - sound meters

Jeb:

If you shut off main electrical power to the home and the noise continues it's an external source such as wind, neighbouring equipment, etc. YOu'll need someone with acute hearing or the use of a dB meter to track the sound to its source.

On 2015-12-05 by Jeb - low regular humming sound

I have a continuous noise problem. I will describe it as a low regular humming sound. It occurs 24/7. I have tried disconnecting the electric to the entire house, water also. No battery powered units. No clues whatsoever.

Noise is persistent and unrelenting. Cannot hear the noise outside the house. Very bothersome and nearly impossible to get a good nights sleep even while using ear plugs. No adjoining buildings, rural location. Any helpful thoughts?

On 2015-10-27 y joe - water noise

when the air conditioner runs there is water draining through the washing machine drain. is this normal?

On 2015-10-05 by (mod) - sounds like you in a washing machine

Rochelle;

The article NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE contains noise track down suggestions that will guide you; focus on areas where noise is loudest and try turning equipment in the home off one item at a time.

On 2015-09-27 by Rochelle Sampear

I have this noise in my house and it sounds like you in a washing machine,or cars passing by. Although the road is just behind my house I don't think it is the cars.i dont hear it outside as well only inside.It drives me nuts. We gave a small shopping centre near ys with their air conditioning facing us.but most of the time it is off and I can still hear the sound. How can I find out what that noise is?

On 2015-08-0 by (mod) - Explosion: back door blew out: sounds dangerous

Linda:

If your back door blew "out" towards the outdoors there has been an explosion of some kind in your home and you should GET OUTSIDE IMMEDIATELY and call 911 or your local fire department for help.

If the back door burst open towards the inside then there has been an event outdoors that needs investigation. The same advice applies.

Later when it's safe to go back to your computer, let us know what you found.

On 2015-08-02 by Linda

We just had a loud explosion noise and then our back door burst open... what would cause this?

On 2015-03-15 by (mod) -

Kit

I don't know.

But in tracking such a noise down I'd be looking for something that would cause such a regular cycle such as something electrical or mechanical. You could try turning off various electrical circuits one by one to see if that strikes gold.

For heaven's sake how interesting. Keep me posted. What you find will help others.

On 2015-03-15 by Kit

There is a thumping that happens every 2:25 minutes in my ceiling or chimney. I have an inspector come out and inspect the attic and it is clean. What could this noise be--it happens like clockwork every 2:25 minutes.

...

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