This page provides our index to detailed procedures for building noise troubleshooting: causes & cures.

Here we provide an extensive catalog of the sources of annoying sounds or noise complaints at or around buildings.

We provide a complete index to sources of sounds helps diagnose, & cure noise problems in or at buildings.

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.

Page top photo: an attic pull-down stair that doesn't close fully not only increases your building's heating cost, it may permit attic and rooftop noises to sound rather loud in the occupied space below.

How to Identify & Cure Noises & Sounds in Building Interiors

This page lists key articles useful in finding the source of annoying building noises or sounds, understanding when noises indicate problems in the building or its mechanical system, and controlling or eliminating building noise.

- Author, D. Friedman, has provided noise source location, diagnosis & cure investigation & services in U.S., Spain, Mexico, New Zealand and other locations since 1985.

Also use the page top (blue area) search box to search InspectApedia by noise type, or use Ctrl-F to search within this article for specific noise or sound types such as buzz, creak, hiss, drip, etc.

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.

To find what you need quickly, if you don't want to scroll through this index you are welcome to use the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX to search InspectApedia for specific articles and information.

See our ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS for a complete list of building & building system noise diagnosis and cure articles including detailed articles on specific sound types, names, sources, causes, cures.

How are Noises Transmitted in Buildings?

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.

Separately at SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS

we provide a series of detailed articles on noise or sound transmission control - that is, methods for reducing unwanted building noise levels through building design, insulation, sound isolation, and noise barriers.

Find the Source of Building Noises by Keeping a Sound or Noise Event Log

To track a mystery-noise or sound to its source in a building, try keeping a noise log, noting the conditions, times, events, and information we list in our printable sound event log worksheet:

We provide a sound event log in three formats:

• SOUND EVENT LOG a web article including explanation of what information should be recorded to help track down the source of building sounds & noises
• BUILDING NOISE LOG a simplified printable html file
• NOISE LOG, PRINTER-FRIENDLY- [PDF] RECOMMENDED - checklist and time/date log form useful in noise localization in buildings.

Help Finding the Source, Estimating the Level, & Controlling Noise at Buildings

• HUD, Noise Guidebook (2022) [HUD Website] US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Web: https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/313/hud-noise-guidebook/
  
  This guidebook provides information on HUD's noise policy. It contains all the various reports, informational papers and other items that have been released by HUD over the past several years.
  
  We provide the most-useful chapters from the HUD Noise Guidebook below as PDF downloads.
• HUD, NOISE ATTENUATION (Chapter 4) [PDF]
  Excerpt: There are two ways to determine noise levels for a site under review: the noise can be calculated or It can be measured. While one's first reaction might well be that It would obviously be better to go out and actually measure the noise l-Is at the site, calculated noise levels are really much better for Implementing HUD's noise policy.
• HUD, SOUND TRANSMISSION CLASS GUIDANCE [PDF] U.S. Housing & Urban Development, Chapter 4 Supplement, in HUD Noise Notebook.
  Excerpts:
  
  The Noise Guidebook, pages 33-37, provides an elementary discussion of STC, provides some STC ratings for common building materials and limited exterior and interior wall construction configurations, and describes a method to determine composite STC value of a wall containing a window or door.
  
  This update provides for an understanding of STC and provides an expanded material and construction classification for both internal and external building materials and typical construction patterns.
  
  The intent of this chapter is not to endorse anyone building manufacturer or product over another but to keep HUD Environmental staff and other interested persons advised on the STC values of current building materials and practices which can be applied to HUD supported housing activities.
  
  Additional subsections on specific types of building materials, construction techniques and STC values will be periodically added.
• HUD, NOISE ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES (Chapter 5) [PDF]
• HUD, NOISE ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES WORKBOOK (Chapter 6) [PDF] - Op. Cit., retrieved 2022/05/28 original source: https://www.hudexchange.info/sites/onecpd/assets/File/Noise-Guidebook-Chapter-6.pdf
• HUD, USE of NOISE MEASUREMENTS (Chapter 7) [PDF]

Alphabetical List of Building Noises by Sound Source or Sound Type

Beginning below, we provide an alphabetically-ordered catalog of building noises and sounds, with suggestions for tracking down these disturbances.

Air Conditioning or Heat Pump System Noises

• At AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP NOISES 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).
• Air handler / blower indoor cooling unit noises
  
  see AIR HANDLER / BLOWER NOISES
  
  for a discussion of air leaks, bubbling, clicking, duct noises, fan noises and vibration dampener noises, howling or hissing in air handlers and ducts, rattling at fan motors, hissing at failing electrical components, and more including 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.
• BLOWER FAN WON'T START, BUZZING
• COMPRESSOR CONDENSER NOISES provides detailed diagnostic help in finding, evaluating, and fixing noisy compressor units. Humming, rattling, explosion noises, bangs, clanks, hissing noises.
• DUCT SYSTEM NOISES, including air leaks, hisses, dripping condensation, creaks and clicks from thermal expansion & contraction, rattling & buzzing from loose components
• ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS - humming sounds from hard-starting motors
• FAN NOISES, HVAC - humming, rattling, banging, clicking noises traced to fan motors, fan belts, or fan blades impacting other items due to loose fans or failed fan bearings.
• HOWLING HVAC SOUNDS from air conditioners, air handlers, blower fans, heat pumps, furnaces, duct systems & their motors
• Other building HVAC system noise sources:
  
  See NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS where we describe other heating system noise sources and cures.
• Banging noises & sounds
  
   in buildings also described as bangs, clangs, thumps, thunks, clunks and whumps.
  
  See our catalog of common sources of banging noises in or around buildings
  
  at BANGING BOOMING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  
  and also BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS
  
  and also BANGING WATER HEATER
  
  and also WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE
  
  and of course WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE - home
• Bubbling sounds 
  
  occur in all types of building piping systems when there is air or gas mixed in with water or another liquid such as refrigerant. Bubbling sounds in hot water heating systems is discussed at
• AIR-BOUND HEATING SYSTEMS
  
  while bubbling sounds in the refrigerant piping is discussed at
• REFRIGERANT LEAK REPAIR and may indicate a refrigerant leak, though bubbling sounds on split systems at the indoor wall unit may be normal for some products - see our note below about water noises.
  
  You may also hear bubbling sounds in water piping if there is excess air in the water supply system. See
• AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES
• Booms, booming noises
  
  aside from obvious boom noises traced to explosions or perhaps to an oil burner puffback explosion, methane gas explosions, and similar explosive causes, sounds coming from the ground, including loud booms, moaning, humming, and other sounds coming from the ground may be due to "stretch movement noises" due to tectonic plate movement.
  
  See BANGING BOOMING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE
• Buzzing, snapping, crackling, popping
  
  may be dangerous electrical switch or breaker indicators.
  
  Buzzing also occurs at failing or failed relays such as the relay in a heating system aquastat or circulator controller or in relays used to control HVAC fans, blowers, and compressor motors.
  
  See our complete guide to sources of buzzing noises in or around buildings now
  
  at see BUZZING NOISE DIAGNOSIS - topic home
• Chugging noises
  
  See GAS BURNER RUMBLING CHUGGING NOISES
  
• Clanging noises
  
  in buildings, excluding those made by alarm systems, are usually traced to plumbing or to hot water heating systems, though in unusual cases thermal expansion of metal such as ductwork or metal roofing may cause clanging sounds.
  
  See the causes of clanging noises described
  
  at PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  
  at PLUMBING NOISE CHECKLIST
  
  also at WATER PUMP NOISE DIAGNOSIS - a short cycling pump may cause water hammer and clanging pipes.
  
  See WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE for detailed diagnostic and repair steps
  
  See TEMPERATURE CHANGE RELATED NOISES for examples of thermal expansion/contraction related clanging sounds.
  
  See TEMPERATURE CHANGE & ROOF NOISE for clicking or clanging noises coming from a metal roof
• Clicking noises 
  
  Review causes & cures of clicking sounds identified & cured at
  
  CLICKING 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
  • VIBRATION DAMPENERS
• Fan noises 
  
  on heating and air conditioning systems are discussed
  
  at FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT
  
  and
  
  at FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER UNIT and may include rattling and clanging
• Gas burner noises
  
  See GAS BURNER FLAME & NOISE DEFECT
• Grinding noises
  
  in buildings or building mechanical systems include these example sources:
  
  APPLIANCE NOISE DIAGNOSIS include grinding noises from small as well as larger appliances and, for reference, a sound recording of grinding noises including a coffee grinder.
  
  HEATING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS  - grinding noises at circulator pumps, fans, burner motors, usually from a failing motor bearing. Because small electric motors are used for a variety of jobs in heating equipment, besides grinding sounds from an oil burner or circulator pump on a heating boiler or from the fan motor in an air handler, remember to look for grinding motors at duct damper actuators and similar devices.
  
  At BOILER OPERATING PROBLEM FAQs a reader described grinding noises first attributed to the buildings hot water heating radiators but ultimately traced to a failing circulator pump.
  
  HVAC SYSTEM GRINDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS FAQs - Q&A about grinding sounds at HVAC equpment
  
  At OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS  we describe grinding noises at the oil burner.
  
  PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSTIC FAQs include a reader Q&A describing grinding noises at the dishwasher, probably a failing dishwasher drain pump or possibly a clogged dishwasher drain.
  
  WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE  - appliance grinding noises occur when bearings fail such as in a washing machine tub bearing or in the motor bearings of a washing machine or clothes dryer.
  
  WATER TANK NOISE DIAGNOSIS  describes tracing a grinding noise near the water pressure tank to a more-likely problem source at the water pump.
  
  

  Diagnose this Intermittent rotational grinding noise complaint

  An InspectAPedia reader asked:
  
  For the last 3 months, there has been a new noise audible throughout my apartment and building. It is an intermittent rotational grinding noise, that reoccurs in the background all day and night every few hours at least, but lasting for only a minute or two at a time.

  I’m the first floor apartment (above a basement) and it sounds like it’s coming from the ceiling. People on the third floor hear it as well but we cannot identify the source. - On 2021-04-17 by Andy -

  Reply:

  @Andy,
  
  I understand that any recurring noise , including grinding sounds in your building, can be very disturbing and naturally we would just like a simple answer, but in fact some on-site diagnosis and perhaps keeping up a noise log are what's needed.

  See the useful noise log form at SOUND EVENT LOG 

  Often a sound event log can help pinpoint a noise source by noticing what equipment is running at what time.
  
  It can also be helpful to consider how the grinding noise might be transmitted through the building from its source to where you hear it, such as a failing water pressure booster pump bearing that transmits sound through water pipes, or a rooftop HVAC unit with a failing blower fan motor whose noise is transmitted through ductwork.

  We also found some building noises moving through elevator shafts and stairwells.
  
  The most-effective steps to tracking down a noise problem to its source are given above on this page - in more detail than I should repeat here. Please take a look, and also try the noise log described there.

  If building maintenance people insist the noise is "normal operation" of equipment you'll want to review our suggestions

  at SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS - home where we discuss methods for sound isolation or sound insulation.
  
  

• Ground noises: booms, hms, moans
  
  sounds coming from the ground, including loud booms, moaning, humming, and other sounds coming from the ground may be due to "stretch movement noises" due to tectonic plate movement.
  
  Ground noises may be due to sinkhole formations, fracking, local drilling, mining activities above or below ground, or of course nearby construction or demolition.
  
  See BANGING BOOMING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  
  Also see Sinkholes in GEORGIA
• Heating boiler or furnace noises
  
  See
  • HEATING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS - home
    • BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS
    • BANGING HEATING SYSTEM NOISES
    • BANGING HEATING ZONE VALVES
    • FUEL UNIT, HEATING OIL PUMPS
    • GAS BURNER FLAME & NOISE DEFECTS
    • GAS BURNER SOOT CAUSE & CURE
    • GAS BURNER PILOT LIGHT PROCEDURE
    • HEATING SYSTEM NOISES in BUILDINGS
    • OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS - home
    • OIL BURNER NOISE DIAGNOSTIC INDEX
    • OIL LINE BUZZ & VIBRATION CURE
• Heating pipe or radiator noises
  
  See BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS
  
  Also
  
  see WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE
• Humming sound 
  
  might be traced to a failing compressor motor or a failing electric motor on a blower fan.
  
  At HUMMING NOISES we list common sources of hum sounds found in or around buildings.
• Honking noises
  
  may be due to a loose or worn plumbing fitting, control valve, or solenoid operated water valve in an appliance such as a clothes washer.
  
  See our discussion of honking, fog horn or oboe type building noises at
  
  PLUMBING NOISE CHECKLIST
  
  Some researchers also refer to this sound family as including baaing sheep or goats, chattering noises, sound of geese, or even outboard motor sounds.
• Popping noises
  
  See CLICKING NOISES - described above on this page
  
  See POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
  See WATER HEATER NOISE DIAGNOSIS, CURE - a notorious source of loud clicks and pops
  
• Ringing Noises in and around buildings
  
  or building plumbing, heating, air conditioning or other mechanical equipment: cause & cure.
  
  Actually reports (to us over about five decades of building diagnosis work) of ringing sounds or bell like noises in buildings traced to the actual building or building mechanical system problems are among the less-common building noise complaints
  
  Note that we are omitting the obvious ringing noise sources traced to bells, church bells, doorbells, telephones, wind chimes, etc. as we consider those normal or natural ringing sounds. However it's worth noting that even "normal" ringing sounds can be annoying, particularly in an urban environment (Ryu 2011).
  
  Reports of ringing sounds, sometimes also described as high pitched shrieks, whistles, or even as buzzing or vibration can be produced by water running in building pipes and by malfunctions in heating, ventilating or air conditioning equipment as well as from pumps or other motors.
  
  Examples of sources of ringing noises are discussed at various of our noise-diagnosis articles: note that because people often use different words to describe sounds, ringing, dinging, rattling, even buzzing or humming noise diagnostic procedures may well address a complaint of ringing sounds or noises at a building or its equipment.
  
  GAS REGULATOR NOISES
  
  HEATING SYSTEM BUZZING NOISE
  
  HUMMING NOISES in BUILDINGS
  
  OIL BURNER HUMMING NOISE
  
  WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE
  
  Ringing noises an also be caused by the properties of enclosed building spaces, the combination of shapes, sizes, and building materials can produce a reverberating ringing sound or echo noise in buildings. (Berendt, 1963).
  
  Watch out: Computer Alerts can produce elusive ringing or chime noise sources.
  
  As we were editing this ringing and bell noise diagnosis text (2021/12/14) or computer, a MacBook Pro running MacOS Monterey 12.1 began making a mysterious chime or bellring sound! The computer displays a brief message at upper right about a "test" - the message disappears so quickly that unless you're looking at that corner of the screen at the moment that the bell or ringing chime noise occurs, you'll miss it!
  
  You can change your computer alert sounds in System Preferences under Sound Effects.
  
  Watch out: Rule out tinnitus: If you are the only person hearing ringing noise be sure to check with your doctor or an audiologist for possible tinnitus. Prolonged or even brief exposure to very loud noises can produce a permanent ringing noise in the ears.
  
  The Mayo Clinic defines tinnitus as
  
  Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn't caused by an external sound, and other people usually can't hear it. Tinnitus is a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people, and is especially common in older adults.
  
  Ringing Noise & Noise Annoyance, Recent Research
  
  Ayr, U., E. Cirillo, I. Fato, and F. Martellotta. "A new approach to assessing the performance of noise indices in buildings." Applied acoustics 64, no. 2 (2003): 129-145.
  
  Berendt, Raymond D., George E. Winzer, Courtney B. Burroughs, AIRBORNE IMPACT and STRUCTURE BORNE NOISE-CONTROL in MULTIFAMILY BUILIDNGS [PDF] - temporarily offline, original file available Airborne-Structure-Borne-Noise-Contriol-NBS.pdf - (1963) U.S. National Bureau of Standards, retrieved 2021/12/14 original source: files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED024212.pdf
  
  Excerpts from definitions:
  
  RESONANCE. The sympathetic vibration, resounding or ringing of enclosures, room surfaces, panels, etc. when excited at their natural frequencies.
  
  REVERBERATION. The persistence of sound within a room or enclosure after a sound source has stopped radiating. This effect is very pronounced in large, relatively empty or partially furnished rooms with hard reflecting walls, ceilings and floor surfaces.
  
  Bulunuz, Nermin,
  Excerpt: Meetings should be conducted with school administrators for the elimination of announcements through loudspeakers and loud ring bells in the school building. Schools where no-bell school projects are carried out and effective results are obtained should be shown as …
  
  Mızrap Bulunuz, Ali Yurdun Orbak, Nejla Mulu, and Ömer Faruk Tavşanlı. "An evaluation of primary school students' views about noise levels in school." International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education 9, no. 4 (2017): 725-740.
  
  Loewen, Laura J., and Peter Suedfeld. "Cognitive and arousal effects of masking office noise." Environment and Behavior 24, no. 3 (1992): 381-395.
  
  Masuda, Jeff, Diana Lewis, Blake Poland, and Carlos E. Sanchez-Pimienta. "Stop ringing the alarm; it is time to get out of the building!." Canadian Journal of Public Health 111, no. 6 (2020): 831-835.
  
  Ryu, Jong Kwan, and Jin Yong Jeon. "Influence of noise sensitivity on annoyance of indoor and outdoor noises in residential buildings." Applied Acoustics 72, no. 6 (2011): 336-340.
  
  Yishu, Jiao, Zhou Yumei, Jiang Jianhua, and Wu Bin. "A 0.5–1.7 GHz low phase noise ring-oscillator-based PLL for mixed-signal SoCs." Journal of Semiconductors 31, no. 9 (2010): 095002.
• Rumbling Noises
  
  See
  
  GAS BURNER RUMBLING CHUGGING NOISES
  
  RUMBLING WATER HEATER
  
  

Miscellaneous sources of screaming noises in and around buildings include equipment with small moving parts such as the fan in the Mill International B.V. brand electric heater shown above.

Purchased at Amazon in 2020, this heater includes both convection heat and a small fan to increase heater output. In 2021, the fan motor failed in the middle of the night, making a horrible screaming screeching noise.

While these heaters are no longer sold in the U.S., the company has said it stands behind its warranty and that the heater's purchase price will be refunded.

• Screaming screeching noises in buildings
  
  (or whistling noises) are usually traced to mechanical systems, such as failing bearings in motors, though wind noises over roofs and even through deck boards have been known to scream and moan as well.
  
  See these sources of screaming sounds in or around buildings (usually excluding people, moms, children)
• ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS - bad bearings, screaming motors
• GAS REGULATOR NOISES noises at the gas regulator or piping
• HOWLING NOISES in BUILDINGS
• HVAC NOISE-5 SCREAM SING TRUMPET WHINE WUWU
• OIL BURNER SQUEALING HIGH PITCHED SOUNDS
• SCREECHING WATER HEATER
• SCREAMING HVAC SYTEMS - compressor failures, bearing failures
• SCREAMING WATER HEATER - bad exhaust?
• SHRIEKER SISTERS - my mom knew how to raise Cain
• TANKLESS WATER HEATER WHISTLE
• WATER HEATER NOISE - screaming scaled water heaters
• WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE - screaming noises from pipes
• WATER PUMP NOISE DIAGNOSIS that may include shrieking or screaming
• WIND NOISES at BUILDINGS
  
• Sizzling noises 
  
  from a split system air conditioner / heat pump may be heard at the wall mounted unit when the system is in heating mode. [10]
  
  Watch out: some sizzling noises may be traced to an electrical failure at a control, switch, motor, or electrical connection that in turn risks a building fire. Pinpoint the noise source.
• Snapping flapping popping roof noises
  
  see
  
  SHINGLE FLAPPING POPPING SNAPPING CAUSE & CURE
  
  and
  
  POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
  and
  
  TEMPERATURE CHANGE & ROOF NOISE
  
  
  Watch out: check first for a nearby electrical problem such as a failing water pump control or even a short in nearby electrical controls for the water system.
  
  Arcing and buzzing, snapping, sizzling noises at electrical controls indicates a fire risk as well as possibly indicating an imminent failure of the equipment or circuit or control.
  
  Because people may use different words to describe similar sounds, be sure to review this full set of
  
  Also see
  
  CLICKING NOISES
  
  POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
  TAPPING NOISES
  
  TICKING NOISES

• Squeaking noises 
  
  from a split system air conditioner / heat pump might be heard coming from the wall mounted unit. According to Fujitsu, This is the result of minute expansion and contraction of the front cover due to temperature changes. [10]
  
  Also see SCREAMING NOISE SOURCES
  
  

  Despite decades of investigations into the causes of various noises in buildings, I've never heard a mouse squeaking in a building. But there are other squeaking noise sources, often from failing bearings or moving parts like door hinges that need a bit of oil. If you do have a mouse problem in your building.
  
  Photo source: U.S. CDC, cited in the article below.

  see MOUSE in the HOUSE GET RID of ANIMAL PESTS
  
  Photo: a mouse, above, courtesy of the US CDC.
  

• Tapping noises in buildings
  
  often come from mechanical systems, from thermal expansion and contraction, and occasionally even from dripping water or condensate.
  
  At TAPPING NOISES in BUILDINGS we list articles describing sources of tapping sounds in buildings.
  
  See also Ticking noises at TICKING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
  See also Clicking noises at
  
  
• Ticking noises in buildings
  
  often come from timers, clocks (of course), electrical controls, but also from places you may not have thought to check like those listed at our article on this topic, now found at
  
  TICKING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
• Water heater noises
  
  include an impressive range of sounds.
  
  See WATER HEATER NOISE or check these specific calorifier or geyser or hot water system sounds:
  • BANGING WATER HEATER
  • BOILING WATER HEATER NOISE
  • BOOMING WATER HEATER
  • BUZZING WATER HEATER
  • CLICKING WATER HEATER
  • COMBUSTION NOISES
  • CRACKLING WATER HEATER
  • HUMMING WATER HEATER
  • HISSING WATER HEATER
  • KNOCKING WATER HEATER
  • POPPING WATER HEATER
  • POUNDING WATER HEATER
  • RUMBLING WATER HEATER
  • SCREECHING WATER HEATER
  • SCREAMING WATER HEATER
  • SHRIEKING WATER HEATER
  • SIZZLING WATER HEATER
  • TICKING WATER HEATER
  • VIBRATING WATER HEATER
  • WHISTLING WATER HEATER
• Water pipe noises
  
  banging water pipes,
  
  see WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE
  
  Water pipes may also make a clicking, snapping, ticking noise, particularly hot water pipes, passing through a tight space, due to thermal expansion or contraction. Heating pipes will click, snap, or tick even more loudly.
  
  Water pipes may also make a hissing, screaming, or whistling sound - caused by water velocity. Try reducing water pressure or partly-closing the main water valve. Does the sound change?
• Water pump noises
  
  see
  • WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES
  • WATER PUMP NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• Water tank noises
  
  see
  
  WATER TANK NOISE DIAGNOSIS for a complete catalog of sounds coming from or near the water pressure tank or water storage tank.
• Water noises, a sound like running water 
  
  may be heard from the following sources:
  
  Running water in plumbing system drain piping system - when plumbing fixtures are in use ( a sink is running or a toilet was flushed) and will be more noticeable if the building drain piping is not sound-isolated or insulated and where plastic rather than cast iron drains are installed.
  
  Running water in drains when no fixture is known to be running is likely to be traced to a running toilet or less often, to a roof drainage system routed through the building's interior or actually into its drain piping.
  
  Running water in building water supply piping might be heard when fixtures are in use, again more-so when piping is not run through a sound-isolating system of mounts and / or insulation.
  
  Refrigerant or condensate piping of a split system air conditioner or heat pump while the equipment is running and/or briefly during unit start-up as well as for a period immediately after the unit shuts off.
  
  While usually we consider the sight or sound of bubbles in the refrigerant piping as an indication of low refrigerant, for some systems this may not be the case and for at least some split system models Fujitsu points out that this sound may be normal.[10]
  
  However if you hear bubbling in the refrigerant piping and the system is not cooling properly, indeed there may be an improper charge or refrigerant may be leaking.
  
  See REFRIGERANT LEAK REPAIR
  
  Running or bubbling water sounds are heard in hot water heating system pipes, baseboards, radiators, & fan convectors if there is excess air in the heating system piping.

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

This topic has been moved to a new article found

at AIR LEAK NOISES in BUILDINGS

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

This article topic has been moved to a new article found

at ANIMAL NOISES in BUILDINGS

Photo above: Isn't that raccoon cute? Not exactly. Especially if you trap a wild animal inside your building you're not only scaring it, your're risking a dangerous animal bite.

Watch out: for bites, rabies, and for raccoons who like to find a way into the attic where they bat around the Christmas tree ornaments and leave little sooty footprints all over everything

Appliance Noises in buildings, Sources of

This article topic has been moved to a new article found

at APPLIANCE NOISE DIAGNOSIS

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 to all sorts of amazing sounds heard at washing machines and dishwashers.

Chimney noises in or on buildings - Danger Signs?

This article topic has been moved to a new article found

at CHIMNEY NOISE DIAGNOSIS

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.

Dripping Water Sounds in buildings, How to Track Down

This noise diagnosis and repair topic is now found

at DRIPPING WATER SOUND SOURCES

Electrical Equipment or Electrical System Noises in buildings: diagnosis & cure

Please see details we have moved

to ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOISES

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.

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

This topic has moved

to FAN NOISES in BUILDINGS

Also see FAN NOISES, HVAC

Flooring and Floor Noises in buildings

This information was moved to

FLOORING NOISES in BUILDINGS

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 and speaking more accurately, if a physiological, psychological, or neurological cause of noise perception is ruled out, all other building noises can ultimately be tracked to a physical source inside or outside of the building.

Readers with suggestions about diagnosing unresolved odors -

See ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE

or unexplained noises in buildings -

See NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

are invited to comment using the comment box found at the bottom of each InspectApedia article.

Hardware Noises in Buildings: hinges, locks, bolts, etc. can be sources of surprising building noises

We have traced creaking, chirping, and creaking noises to moving hardware, typically metal or wood or metal and wood parts moving across one another.

More often we find these building noise sources by tracking the sound to a point of origin, seeing something moving, and then relating the sound to the cause of movement. A squeak or creak may be traced to use of a particular building door such as a room passage door or a cabinet door.

Often a squeak or creak that seems to occur in regular intervals that diminish in volume is traced to a hinged fixture that moves when disturbed. Some examples include:

• A creaking squeaking noise traced to a metal toilet paper holder that squeaked (photo above) when it was jostled to move from side to side (photo, above left). Ironically this creaky toiler paper was a cast brass bird that was squeaking in a sound not unlike a chirping bird.
• A shrieking noise traced to a metal hinge supporting a building sign that waved when wind was blowing
• A creaking towel dispenser

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

Photo above: a whirring windy sound is produced deliberately by this white noise machine we observed in a physician's office.

An introduction to this topic is now found

at HEALTH-RELATED NOISE PERCEPTION

Details about this topic are found

at HEALTH RELATED NOISE EFFECTS. Health related noise and apparent noise sources can involve common aging or hearing disorders, dementia, or other serious medical conditions.

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.

Details are

at HEARING DISORDER NOISE ISSUES

Heating System Noises & Building Temperature-Change Noises

A quick summary of common sources of heating noise problems is

at HEATING SYSTEM NOISES in BUILDINGS

Or see our detailed heating noise diagnosis and repair article series on heating system noises found

at HEATING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Hissing Noises in buildings

This data was moved to HISSING SOUNDS in BUILDINGS

Humming Sounds at buildings

Please see HUMMING NOISES in BUILDINGS

Howling Deck Noises: check wind, structure, surface textures

A summary of common sources of howling noises in buildings with links to howling noise diagnostic articles

see HOWLING NOISES in BUILDINGS

(Nov 2, 2014) Carolyn said:

We just had our deck rebuilt, changing the warped wood for grooved composite boards held together by hidden Trex fasteners.

The new deck makes a howling sound when the wind blows. We ruled out the deck balusters and railing, so we know it is something to do with the decking. Our builder is as stumped as are we. Any ideas on how to get to the root of the problem and fix it?

Reply:

Carolyn, if I could send you a prize for "best question" I'd do so.

Before posing a solution lets gain confidence in the noise cause.
I suspect the howling deck is a feature of one of the following, combined of course, with wind direction and site or terrain shape and features.

. Size / spacing of decking boards or gaps

. Framing orientation vs wind direction

. Wind over textured surface

. Wind through guardrails or balusters

. Wind redirection caused by decking,

. Something else we've not thought of

You could try a directional mike, even a mechanic's stethoscope but let's try something else first.

Try stapling house wrap first underneath the entire deck floor, from below, on the bottom of the joists. Don't worry, it won't be permanent.

For a complete discussion of howling noises traced to building decks including a completion of discussion of Carolyn's question above,

see HOWLING DECK NOISE- surface textures of decking, possibly framing, deck gaps, wind direction, other factors

Insect Noise and Insect-caused Noises in buildings: buzz, chirp, hum

Insect noise and insect-caused noises in buildings include the following

• Buzzing - bees in walls such as honeybees nesting in a building wall or roof cavity, or other bee activity on the building exterior - such as carpenter bees. 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.
• Chirping - cricket infestations
• 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 in or at BUILDINGS
• Also see BUZZING NOISE DIAGNOSIS - topic home
• See HONEY BEES in BUILDING WALLS - buzzing from the building walls or ceilings may be due to a honeybee invasion
• Also see POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• See WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS carpenter ants, powder post beetles, & other wood destroying organisms

Plumbing System Noises in buildings

Our article PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE SOURCES lists the sources of all types of plumbing noises and traces them to their source.

For the broad topic of controlling plumbing noises in buildings

see 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 - topic home. 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 (above) shows two older metal-roofed 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.

Types of Roof Noise Sources

• Noises generated by the roof itself,
  
  such as thermal movement in a metal roof
• Noises generated by impacts on the roof
  
  such as acorns, rain, hail falling on the roof surface
• Noises generated by roof interaction with the environment:
  
  such as a roof that howls when wind blows from a particular direction
• Noises caused by roof installation defects or failures:
  
  such as wind flapping popping snapping shingles
• Noises whose source is hosted by the roof:
  
  roof-mounted mechanical equipment such as air conditioners, fans, chimneys & chimney caps or on occasion animals: stomping seagulls and scampering squirrels or rampaging raccoons

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.

To the human ear, cutting noise levels in half, a reduction of over 20 decibels is quite 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 details about roof noise source detection and noise control at

• METAL ROOFING
• POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• ROOF NOISE TRANSMISSION - topic home - catalog of roof noises, causes, cures, prevention
• TEMPERATURE CHANGE & ROOF NOISE - separate article
• WIND NOISES ON ROOFS - separate article

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]

• SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS - How to control noise & sound transmission in buildings.

Horn sound comes from roof / vent during wind storms

I had an Owens Corning roof installed with Tru Definition shingles. They installed a Ridge Vent with O'hagin vents and there are the T Top Vents.

During a wind storm I hear a sound coming from the front of the house that sounds like a horn sound. It goes on and off for the entirety of the wind storm. Had the roofer here and he can't pinpoint what is making the horn sound or how to fix it. Ideas? - (Jan 13, 2015) Bonnie

Reply:

Bonnie

I'd start by temporarily blocking off the ridge vent by simply taping some plastic over it.

Also see NOISE TRANSMISSION in ROOFS

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

This material moved to a new article

at SIDING NOISES & SOUNDS

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 & FLOOR NOISES

and see POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Wall Noise Transmission Articles

Noise transmitted through walls (or ceilings) from mechanical rooms (boilers, furnaces) or utility rooms (WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE, dryer) can be reduced by using good sound isolation construction and insulating materials.

See SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS 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.

Photo: an AO Smith gas fired water heater that was making a rumbling popping noise.

Notice that it's installed next to an air handler that provides heating and cooling to this building - another potential noise source.

Water heater noises & sounds:

see WATER HEATER NOISE DIAGNOSIS, CURE 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 noise-related water heater articles:

• POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• WATER HEATER NOISE DIAGNOSIS, CURE
• WATER HEATER FLUSH OUT PROCEDURE
• WATER HEATER SCALE - DE-LIMING
• WATER HEATER SCALE PREVENTION
• WATER HEATER SAFETY
• WATER HEATER TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS

Wind-caused noises in or at buildings

Wind Noise and wind-caused noises in buildings include a surprising number of mechanisms and sounds now discussed

at WIND NOISES at BUILDINGS

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.

• DOORS, ENERGY EFFICIENCY
• DOORS, EXTERIOR FIBERGLASS vs STEEL
• DOORS, INTERIOR
• SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR 
• SLOPED GLAZING DETAILS
• SPONTANEOUS GLASS BREAKAGE NiS
• VERTICAL GLAZING DETAILS
• WINDOWS & DOORS, AGE, TYPES articles on window selection, installation, efficiency, leaks, diagnosis, and repair
• WINDOW / DOOR ENERGY EFFICIENT, DOE
• WINDOW FLASHING & SEALING GUIDE
• WINDOW GLAZING BASED on CLIMATE
• WINDOW LEAKS INTO BASEMENT
• WINDOW SHADING, SCREENING

...

...

Continue reading at AIR LEAK NOISES in BUILDINGS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSTIC FAQs - questions & answers about finding and curing the source of building or house noises

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home
  • NOISE TRANSMISSION PATHWAYS
  • NOISE SOURCE LOCATION - LOG FILES
  • ALPHABETICAL LIST OF NOISES by SOURCE or SOUND TYPE
  • AIR CONDITIONING NOISES
  • AIR LEAK NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • ANIMAL NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • APPLIANCE NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • BANGING BOOMING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  • BUZZING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • CHIMNEY NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • CLICKING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  • DECIBEL METER dB METER CHOICES
  • DRIPPING WATER SOUND SOURCES
  • DUCT SYSTEM NOISES
  • ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOISES
  • FAN NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • FLOORING NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • GHOST NOISES
  • GRINDING NOISES
  • HARDWARE NOISES
  • HEALTH-RELATED NOISE PERCEPTION
  • HEARING DISORDER NOISE ISSUES
  • HEATING SYSTEM NOISES
  • HISSING SOUNDS in BUILDINGS
  • HOWLING NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • HUMMING NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • HVAC SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • HOWLING NOISES
  • INSECT RELATED NOISES
  • PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE SOURCES
  • POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • RINGING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • ROOFING NOISES
  • SCREAMING NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • SIDING NOISES & SOUNDS
  • SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS
  • STAIR NOISES
  • TAPPING NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • TICKING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • WALL NOISES
  • WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE
  • WATER HEATER NOISE DIAGNOSIS, CURE
  • WIND NOISES at BUILDINGS
  • WINDOW NOISES
• SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS - home

Suggested citation for this web page

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

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