This article describes a range of causes of clicking sounds that might be heard in or around buildings.

These noises may come from the structure, from mechanical systems, or from other more surprising sources.

Page top photo: a spinning fan in this attic air handler, if loose or contactng a loose bit of insulation or wire can make a constant clicking or ticking noise. But there are plenty of other sources of these noises in buildings, as we explain here.

Causes & Cures for Clicking Noises

Here is a catalog of some of the most-common sources of high pitched brief sharp clicking sounds heard in buildings.

Clicking sounds in buildings can come from a wide range of sources such as

from relays & controls can be heard at either the compressor/condenser or at the indoor air handler unit:

see HVAC CLICKING SOUNDS from air conditioner or heat pump system equipment.

Clicking noises may also be caused by thermal expansion or contraction of may building materials including framing, structure, some types of insulating board, plumbing pipes, and famously, from ductwork.

Here is an example of un-diagnosed clicking sounds, courtesy of an inspectApedia reader.

• CLICKING NOISE at BATHROOM WALL [mp3 file]

3 Steps to Clicking Noise Diagnosis & Cure

When diagnosing and then curing a clicking sound in buildings, we need to

1. Identify the noise source,
   
   ultimately traced to a building component, material, or pest
   
   If you're having trouble tracking down the noise source, keep a noise log that records time, use of equipment, weather, and other factors that may point to a source; see several forms in which we offer a printable noise or sound log document
   
   at NOISE / SOUND LOG
2. Determine if the noise is normal
   
   (such as thermal expansion/contraction) or abnormal (some component or system needs repair
3. Take action:
   
   adding sound proofing, insulation, for normal noises, or making / requesting a repair for abnormal noises that are traced to a loose, damaged, or malfunctioning compnent in or on the building.

Examples of Clicking Noise Sources in Buildings

See DUCT SYSTEM NOISES, including creaks and clicks from thermal expansion & contraction,

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.

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.

Se POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Clicking or popping creaking noises also occur due to thermal expansion & contraction of various building materials like the metal roof in our photo.

Sources of clicking sounds traced to temperature mightalso be coming from heating equipment, ductwork, metal building siding (not just roofing) or even a cooling car engine in a garage.

See TEMPERATURE CHANGE RELATED NOISES and for a common example

see TEMPERATURE CHANGE & ROOF NOISE and some interesting clicking noise sources are also

at WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE - some ticking sounds at the washing machine are normal - a timer or cycle control

Because people may use different words to describe similar sounds, be sure to review thefull set of similar noise sources (ticking, tapping, snapping, popping, creaking) or causes discussed in other articles listed at the end of this page.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Question:

live in Manhattan and since last December, I have been dealing with clicking noises in my master bathroom/wall outside of this bathroom. Are there any experts that can assist me with this? I'm happy to pay for the services. - Anonymous by private email 2022/11/01

Moderator reply:

I'm sorry that  we cannot provide the noise diagnosis service that you asked about. In order to absolutely assure our readers that we write and report without bias  we do not sell any products nor do we have any business or financial relationships that could create such conflicts of interest.

At CONSULTANTS & EXPERTS DIRECTORIES  you may find a suitable onsite expert - you can't diagnose nor fix the issues you describe by email nor general internet correspondence as a competent expert on site will pretty much always find things worth noting that were not obvious to a normal homeowner.

Don't pay a professed expert or consultant who's just going to stop by to conduct some " tests" - a thorough interview, visual inspection of the building for most-likely noise sources, by someone who understands building science, hvac mechanical systems, noise and sound transmission, other noise sources such as thermal movement, plumbing systems, even insects or animal pests, s applied to a residential setting is far more likely to produce a useful result: a written report describing what concerns were found, where they are, and what to do about them, and as well who will respond to follow-up questions.

You can arm yourself to understand if a potential consultant is likely to be helpful, by scanning the clicking noise sources described above on this page.

Reader follow-up:

Thank you Dan!  I understand your conflict, but is there an expert you like for this issue in Manhattan? I have recordings of the sound and an architect mentioned to me that because it's so loud, it sounds like a mechanical/electrical issue- a broken fan or HVAC unit above our apartment.

Moderator reply:

We don't have a specific referral. You might want to review

HVAC CLICKING SOUNDS from air conditioner or heat pump system equipment.

You're welcome to post a help request on our noise diagnosis home page or on any of our CLICKING SOUNDS pages along with a recording - that you'd email or send me a link - to see if that prompts a reply from a Manhattan noise & sound engineer or diagnostician.

Include what contact information and problem description you want. 

There is absolutely no cost to you for us to add this post and a recording or two - it might help you out and the added content and Q&A might help me out too. Even Steven.

We'll have to post the noise recording for you as our on page comments box software won't handle sound files.

Reader follow-up:

Were the recordings posted?  I really need some help with this clicking because it's been happening for a year.

Moderator reply:

Your noise recording is posted with a link above on this page and again here:

• CLICKING NOISE at BATHROOM WALL [mp3 file]

I listened to the recording and I must say that it's probably not going to result in an identification by itself.

It's simply not diagnostic. You need an experienced on site diagnostician. Still I will make these available and we'll see if anyone has anything to say.

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

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• CLICKING NOISES - you are on this page
• NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home
• NOISE / SOUND LOG
• POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• SNAPPING NOISES
• SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS - home
• TAPPING NOISES
• TICKING NOISES

Suggested citation for this web page

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

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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