How to find and fix the sources of snap, pop, crackle, and also many types of similar noises in buildings.

This article series includes catalogs of types of building noises & sounds, common sources for each of these noises, & methods of sound or noise control in buildings during construction or as a building retrofit.

Page top: Kellog's Rice Krispies® originated the famous "Snap, Crackle, and Pop" noises and elves that indeed characterize the sound made when you pour milk into a bowl of this cereal. But other snapping, popping, or crackling noises in buildings can be an annoyance. Here we discuss how to find the source of such sounds when they're not coming from your breakfast cereal.

How to Find the Source of Popping Snapping Noises & Sounds in Buildings

These discussions of finding and curing the source of noises at, in, or around buildings were posted originally

at NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE - topic home. Be sure to see the suggestions found there for diagnosing and stopping aggravating building noises.

Question: what's causing loud snaps and pops in our building

2020/02/20 Bernice said:

The loud snaps and pops are at their worst whenever the heat is running; however, do occur all the time. The sound also occurs with multiple snaps/pops when the heat is on and one of the exterior doors opens.

In some locations, the sound is a very slight popping sound but in other locations, it sounds like wood splitting.

This is a big house (2000 sq.ft.), and sometimes when the pops occur in one side of the house, the sound seems to reverberate/travel through the ceiling or the trusses and occur in the other side of the house. The sounds can occur in multiple locations in rapid succession like an automatic weapon going off across the house.

The sharp snaps are very loud and many times I have been on the phone and people have asked me if I'm cut in middle of a mass shooting! yes, surprisingly they are that loud.

The loud snaps also occur when the heat is not on, but not at the same frequency but the loudness of the sounds is the same.

The sounds are more noticeable when the furnace is operating- but they are also noticeable when the furnace is not operating and just as loud but less frequent.

We had HVAC technician that could not find anything wrong, but we are beginning to believe these loud snaps are related to framing issue with the house, although air pressure build up inside the house exasperates the problem. Like I said the pops and creaks are the loudest when HVAC running and exterior door opens suddenly.

Is there anything that can be done to lessen these noises? maybe adding more ventilation to the house? I have the audio of the noise attached with this email. Also have a quick video of the noise.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Here is our SNAPPING CRACKING POPPING NOISE RECORDING [mp3 File]

Reply: Checklist of sources of snaps and pops in buildings

Bernice

Find the source of snapping popping or cracking sounds in and around a building

To determine the source of the snaps and pops that you're hearing in your home you need an on-site experienced inspector. From just your description, I agree that the sound could be related to framing or building movement that in turn could be related to temperature changes and thermal movement, expansion, contraction.

First thing to check:

Most-common sources of snap pop or cracking sounds in buildings

• HVAC system: is there an electrostatic air cleaner in the air handler ? Those make loud snaps and pops - the sound would be heard right at the unit
  
  See DUCT SYSTEM NOISES
• Water heater: if noise is coming from the water heater there is probably a scale formation problem - the sound would be heard right at the heater
  
  
  See
  
  WATER HEATER NOISE DIAGNOSIS, CURE including clicking, crackling, knocking, snapping, popping, rumbling sounds
• Roofs may make snapping popping noises due to thermal movement of metal roof covering, roof trusses, roof framing, roof sheathing
  
  See ROOFING NOISES
  

Checklist of building features to check when tracking down popping snapping clicking noises in buildings

Because there are many sources of snap crackle pop or even tapping or buzzing noises in buildings, your the information just in your note is too general to be diagnostic; to get more specific and ultimately to pinpoint the cause of these snapping popping noises there are quite a few observations that an experienced noise and sound diagnostician, building scientist, or even an experienced home inspector would make such as given just below.

For help in locating a snapping popping noise source you can buy a sound level monitor dB meter such as this one from Risepro for under $50.

• Air leakage points,
  
  rates, and effects of drafts on variation in building component temperature and humidity
• Appliances
  
  may make clicking sounds such as gas cooktop igniters or igniters in gas fired furnaces or boilers. .
  
  See GAS COOKTOP or STOVE IGNITER REPAIR
• Building age
  
  and construction type, framing type and materials, foundation type and materials - movement among building components, use of metal components such as roofing or metal siding
• Building materials on roof, siding, walls, framing
  
  See THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
• Building movement,
  
  look for signs such as cracks, leaks, damage - thorough visual inspection for indications of building movement or presence of common sources of snap or pop sounds
  
  See also
  
  FLOORING NOISES in BUILDINGS
  
  TEMPERATURE CHANGE & ROOF NOISE
• Climate,
  
  weather conditions, sun exposure related to snap or pop sound occurrence and location
• Country and city of location
  
  of the building and thus climate and weather conditions in general
• Electrical components
  
  can make snaps and pops or buzzing including relays, controls, and even electrical connections
  
  Watch out: some of these indicate very unsafe conditions in an electrical panel, electrical boxes, equipment or appliances
  
  See ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOISES
  
  And see
  
  CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE RATES
• Insulation, ventilation,
  
  vs temperature variations, air movement, moisture variations across materials, often affected type of heating and cooling and heating and cooling distribution
• Mechanical system details:
  
  materials used, ductwork routing, hot water pipe or hot water heating pipe routing, thermal movement at radiators, baseboards, ductwork
  
  See
  
  CHIMNEY NOISE DIAGNOSIS - popping clicking noise at the chimney
  
  CLICKING SOUNDS from air conditioner or heat pump system
  
  DUCT SYSTEM NOISES clicks from thermal expansion & contraction
  
  GAS BURNER POPPING NOISES
  
  HEATING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
  HVAC NOISE-4 POP, RATTLE, ROAR, RUMBLE - loud start, popping, rattling (and other noises)
  
  OIL BURNER CLICKING SOUND
  
  OIL BURNER CRACKLE POP NOISES
  
  TEMPERATURE CHANGE RELATED NOISES
  
  WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES - clicking pump relay
• Noise location:
  
  make a much more careful effort to pinpoint or at least narrow down the area or source of building snapping popping noises such as which side of the building, which floor, proximity to roof, siding, mechanical systems, heating devices, cooling devices, humidifiers or dehumidifiers, occupant movement, other building activities
  
  Where is noise loudest?
  
  Using people with acute hearing and/or supplementing with noise amplification equipment (some very inexpensive devices are available and can help, such as from Radio Shack), explore the building inside and out to get closest to the sound source. Add use of a mechanic's stethoscope.
  
  See SOUND LEVEL MEASUREMENT, HOW TO
• Noise timing:
  
  make a careful observation of when noises occur in relation to building occupancy, use, time of day, weather, sun exposure, and operation of mechanical systems & devices
  
  What conditions seem to correlate with noise production: Keep a log of factors that can help identify noise source such as
  
  - Time of day
  
  - Weather conditions: temperature swings, rain, wind, wind direction, wind force
  
  For noises that are temperature-realated
  
  see TEMPERATURE CHANGE & ROOF NOISE
  
  
  For noises that are wind-related see
  
  SHINGLE FLAPPING POPPING SNAPPING CAUSE & CURE
  
  and
  
  WIND NOISES at BUILDINGS
  
  - External conditions: equipment operating in the neighborhood or at neighbors
  
  - Internal building conditions: equipment turning on or off (try leaving suspect equipment turned off)
  
  See SOUND EVENT LOG information to be recorded to track down the source of building snapping popping crackling sounds & noises
  
  
• Siding type on the building,
  
  materials, and method of affixing can make snapping popping sounds - often related to sun exposure and thermal movement
  
  See SIDING NOISES & SOUNDS
• Site conditions,
  
  drainage, possible sources of building movement or settlement, sinkholes, subsidence
• Stairs
  
  can make snap and pop or crack noises due to movement of treads on framing - usually occur only when people are walking up and down the stairs
  
  See STAIR NOISES
• Temperature variations:
  
  various sources of heat and uneven heat or uneven cooling or temperature changes
• Time of day
  
  when noises occur and relationship to weather, sun, temperature, occupancy, operation of mechanical or other equipment
• Watch out: never assume that ANY checklist is complete.
  
  Always remain alert for a possible popping snapping noise that was not in the list.
  
  "Inspecting to the checklist" is one of the most common mistakes made by amateur or high-speed inspectors. If you just look for what's on the list you risk missing what's actually important in the building.
  

You might want to take a closer look, in the live links at the More Reading section or in the ARTICLE INDEX for a complete list of types of building noises & their sources.

Let us know what you find as well as what questions remain as that will assist other readers.

Reader follow-up: snapping popping sound traced to ceilings

I don't know where to add follow up question in your site, so I ask them here:

The loud snaps and pops come from ceiling drywall throughout the house, they are worst when my furnace is running. Many technicians have been in the attic to determine the source of the noise, but there is crawl space in the attic buried under insulation & it's not visible to the eyes.

But as far as where the noises are coming from, they occur in the ceiling drywall. If my furnace is only calling for 1° temperature increase, it's not too bad. But the longer it runs, the more popping and cracking occurs in the ceiling.

[Click to enlarge any image]

The worst is when the furnace is running, and an exterior door is opened suddenly.

That results in a burst of popping. A second attempt does not produce that same burst. It's as if opening the exterior door temporarily equalizes the pressure between the exterior and the interior of the house.

I recently had an HVAC person over to investigate, and he suggested bringing outside air into the cold air return which would help increase the pressure inside my home. That did not help. I don't know if my problem is too much air pressure being build up in the house or framing or both?

If it's too much air pressure, can adding more ventilation in the house help? The noises can happen day and night different hours randomly.

My ceiling does not have any signs of sagging anywhere. However, if I stand on a ladder, and Press upward with a good amount of force on my ceiling, I can reproduce the popping and cracking sound, but not as loud as they happen on their own.

A second attempt doesn't produce any noise, until I push the ceiling a few hours or a day later. I am not sure if I am flexing the rafter? Or the drywall up to the rafter.

You asked me to be more specific, so is that the key here? The fact that I can reproduce the noise by pushing the ceiling upwards?

Does it mean it's something to do with the framing of the house or truss movement?

The loud snaps sound like nails moving in & out of the drywall, so it could be nail pop, or joist hanger pop?

At this point I am at a loss. No one seems to know what my issue is. I have Googled the heck out of this and have found nothing quite the same.

Moderator reply: trace sounds to roof truss noise? Rising / Arching Roof Trusses?

It sounds as if this is a rising roof truss problem.

Tell me how your roof is framed. Is it framed with trusses or rafters?

It will also be helpful if you will answer the other questions that I posed earlier such as the location of the home and its age.

Reader follow-up:

Here are answers to your questions:

Q: But it sounds as if this is a rising roof truss problem. Tell me how your roof is framed. Is it framed with trusses or rafters?

The roof is framed with trusses.

Q: The location of the home and its age:

The house is located in Las Vegas, Year built is 1999.

Q: About negative pressure build up in the house:

I wonder if negative air pressure can lead to these loud snaps and pops in the ceiling, especially when furnace is on?

Some ductworks look too small for the size of the house, although I'm no expert. Beside adding extra ducwork to the house, what else could be done to create a balance or a positive pressure in the house?

Moderator reply:

For a better understanding of what may be happening in your home to cause those pops and snaps in the ceilings please review

TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF where you'll see an explanation of a common cause of truss arching that could in your home have caused some separation of drywall from the bottom chord of the roof trusses.

Before prescribing a fix we ought to investigate further to be sure we understand the cause(s) of the noises and ceiling movement.

Here is a guess at what's happening:

A combination of dry Nevada climate, hot outdoor temperastures, possibly hot attic temperatures, and the cooling and conditioning of indoor occupied space, along with roof framing using trusses whose bottom chord may be buried in insulation may have caused some roof truss uplift or arching that in turn could loosen or lose the connection between ceiling drywall and the underside of truss bottom chords.

If that has happened then you'd notice that in some areas of the ceilings, often over a center partition wall, pressing upwards at the ceiling drywall may cause it to move up - indicating that it was not well secured to the truss bottom chord underside. (Perhaps the drywall was installed using nails rather than screws, and without using any adhesive).

Loosely connected drywall, particularly near center partition walls that run at right angles to the trusses is a deliberate step to avoid visible damage such as tears or cracks where the ceiling passes over partition walls and where there may be an uplift force as trusses respond to temperature and moisture variations.

While Occam's razor suggests that we ought to stick with the simplest, most-obvious explanation and not count on coincidences or multiple faults, based on your description of noises occurring when you open a door (or window)

I speculate that suddenly allowing outdoor air into an area at lower air pressure (or less-likely a surge in temperature or drop in moisture) migth cause loosely-connected ceilings to move like a diaphraghm against the roof truss bottom chords, producing surges in the snapping popping sounds you observe.

Points of further investigation of these pops and snaps

1. Truss conditions:
   
   Inspect the trusses in the attic space to see the condition of the trusses and to note if the tuss bottom chord is buried in insulation
2. Truss-Ceiling-Connections:
   
   Inspect the connection of ceiling to truss chords and map areas where the connection seems to be most loose, vis-a-vis center partitions or center of ceiling spans as that may be diagnostic.
3. Attic Ventilation:
   
   Inspect the attic space and building exterior to assess the effectiveness of roof ventilation: if the roof is poorly vented its interior temperatures in your climate could be very high, exacerbating these truss movement conditions.
4. HVAC balancing:
   
   Inspect the HVAC system (by an expert) to look at air flow rates (fan CFM) and duct sizes, duct obstructions, number and location of return and supply registers to see what changes are needed to balance the system.
   
   For example are there rooms where there are large return ducts and registers but limited supply of air from the HVAC system such that those rooms may be under negative pressure?
5. Other roof snapping popping noises:
   
   if ocurring in windy conditions, see
   
   SHINGLE FLAPPING POPPING SNAPPING CAUSE & CURE

With those questions answered, if they confirm our speculation about roof truss and ceiling movement and the role of the HVAC system, then you can decide what steps to take to reduce the popping snapping noise issues such as

• Adding supply air registers or ducts or both
• Improving attic ventilation
  
  to reduce high attic temperatures
• Balanced humidity:
  
  Reviewing / adjusting the dehumidification / humidifcation needs of the building
• Ceiling-Truss connections:
  
  Deciding where ceilings should be either better-secured to the truss bottom chord or connected more-loosely using a floating connection system that permits movement without noise.

Reader follow-up:

2020/02/23:

Thank you so much for taking time and answering my questions.

I will look into all the steps you mentioned above. I have a few other questions, and I appreciate your help whenever you have time:

1. Looking inside the attic I realized there maybe too much insulation in there, there is roll-on insulation and on top of it, there is blown-in insulation and I'm wondering if the house is too sealed therefore negative air pressure can't get out, exacerbating the pops and snaps.

Do you think removing the extra insulation (the blown-in insulation) and letting the house breath could lessen the snaps/pops? Or it's a total waste of time?

2. One technician that was in the attic mentioned that in some places there is as much as 1/4inch gap between the top of the ceiling drywall and the 2x4s that it should be nailed to (I have included them in the pictures [shown here and above]).

[Click to enlarge any image]

He said the gap shouldn't be there and the builder shouldn't have left any gap between ceiling boards and the 2x4s. Is that correct or the gap looks normal to you?

3.Would removing the existing gypsum ceiling board and replacing it with a new one (maybe thicker one) would lessen or get rid of the noises? Or is a total waste of time/money.

I found a video about Microcracking - creaking cracking noise from ceiling ( here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12YQPaCkHCA) and the noises are very similar to what I'm hearing (the case study is about a two-story building and the noises occurred what someone walked upstairs), but the solution to get rid of the loud pops was removing and replacing the boards.

I understand in my case, the house is a rambler and the noises are happening on their own, and no one is walking on top.

Thank you so much for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.

Moderator reply:

1. I would not remove the "extra" insulation. Fibrous insulation is not capable of trapping air pressure in a building and would not itself explain a pressure problem. Earlier I suggested reviewing the attic venting as well as the HVAC system ducting and air supply and return balancing.

2. That gap observed between ceiling drywall and the truss underside suggests that the truss bottom chord is arching (temperature and moisture variations versus the rest of the truss) as is described in

our TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF article series.

That article describes the ususal solutions to the problem. I would not add nails or drywall screws before reviewing that article.

3. Replacing the ceiling gypsum board is probably an unnecessary expense that would not help the problem. Again I urge you to focus on investigation and diagnosis before posing the cure.

This does not at all sound like a "microcracking" issue nor one of movement by people walking above the ceiling - as you note. Furthermore, in reviewing that video I suspect that the video poster has not, themselves, diagnosed what's actually occurring in the building.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-05-27 by (mod) - siding makes popping noises

@Ann,

You might start with a home inspector or a siding contractor who's familiar with thermal expansion of materials and how Sadie should be installed on the building.

On 2021-05-27 by Ann

Popping noises. Thank you

I live in Florida in a new home. A couple months ago I also started hearing popping notices on one side of the house. Different times. Who to call?

On 2021-05-22 - by (mod) - popping and cracking in my room in our apartments we're on the 17 floor

@April,

You are asking a perfectly reasonable question but not one that can be answered reliably with so little information. There is some tall buildings that are moving a bit all of the time and some movement noises may be normal.

There could be other circumstances that are more serious. One thing you might do to store it is to check now and first with your neighbors who have been there longer, asking about their experience with building noises, cracking, and movement in the structure.

Let me know what you're told and we can comment further

On 2021-05-21 by April

K I keep hearing popping and cracking in my room in our apartments we're on the 17 floor I've been noticing Crack rgt above window cracks in ceiling and corners of walls what's is goin on should I be moving?

On 2021-03-11 by (mod) - roof makes crackling noise when it's windy

@Kathy, take a look during windy conditions to see if the shingles are being lifted

On 2021-03-11 by Kathy

Had new roof installed. Since then Experiencing Crackling noise in ceiling when it's windy. Sounds like a wave of wind moving from front of house toward back. On non-windy days no crackling noise occurs. They installed a ridge vent. Prior to that we had a roof fan.

On 2021-03-02 by Anonymous

thank you.

On 2021-03-02 by (mod) - sunroom makes loud cracking noises

@Tuck71, as you'll see in the article above there are a number of possible causes of snapping or popping noises that could be going on in your home though from your description it sounds as if it's most likely related to Thermal or temperature changes.

If you see signs of movement in the structure such as cracks appearing in walls ceilings or the building is leaning recycling that would be a more serious concern.

Albertsons that information we're stuck dodging the other people's money problem of being asked to reassure you that everything is okay when we have almost no data whatsoever. Many people in this position have no choice but to you yes you need to hire an expert. They're throwing your money at their risk. Bottom line can't say.

On 2021-03-02 by Tuck71 - cracking noises -

Hi, we moved into this house 2 years ago. The house was built in 1972. It is a bungalow with a loft addition over the garage and a 4 season sunroom built on to the kitchen at the back of the house.

The sunroom is done all in wood, including the ceiling. Sometimes the sunroom makes loud cracking noises - especially in the winter. I'm not sure if it is related to wind or cold but I am concerned that maybe there is a problem with the structure of the sunroom.

We live in Ottawa, Canada so our winters are cold. But I have heard the same noises in the fall when it is cool and windy but not necessarily very cold. Should we have it inspected? By who? We had a house inspector at the time of purchase and he identified no problems. Thanks.

On 2021-02-18 by Anonymous

@Anonymous, Have you figured out your noise or a fix for your noise. I am having the same issue throughout my whole house. I have ceiling radiant heat as well.

On 2021-02-10 by (mod) - 2-4 loud popping cracking sounds in one room of my one story 44 year old house

JT

You'll see in the article above that one of the first worries - for fire safety - is to rule out an electrical problem as a source of snapping, popping, crackling or sizzling hissing sounds. So if your radiant heat is electric, I'd suggest a very thorough check of that wiring and an extra step to be sure smoke alarms are properly installed and working.

Once we an relax past fear of fire, I'd be looking for a thermal expansion movement causing the noise. You might have fun with a stethoscope to see if you can get close to the actual noise source in the wall; then if there is no obvious factor (window, door, trim, electrical receptacle, piping supports) you may need to make a small test cut to actually look into the wall.

Before making such a cut don't forget to do the same careful noise source inspection outside if this is an exterior wall, or inside on the other side if this is an interior wall.

On 2021-02-10 by JT - loud popping cracking sounds

2-4 loud popping cracking sounds in one room of my one story 44 year old house. Same wall same places. Sound is not muffled. Sounds crisp loud and wakes me up. I have radiant heat in the ceiling.

On 2021-02-10 by (mod) - track down the source of popping cracking sounds in one room at one wall

JT

Watch out: You'll see in the article above that one of the first worries - for fire safety - is to rule out an electrical problem as a source of snapping, popping, crackling or sizzling hissing sounds. So if your radiant heat is electric, I'd suggest a very thorough check of that wiring and an extra step to be sure smoke alarms are properly installed and working.

Once we an relax past fear of fire, I'd be looking for a thermal expansion movement causing the noise.

You might have fun with a stethoscope to see if you can get close to the actual noise source in the wall; then if there is no obvious factor (window, door, trim, electrical receptacle, piping supports) you may need to make a small test cut to actually look into the wall.

Before making such a cut don't forget to do the same careful noise source inspection outside if this is an exterior wall, or inside on the other side if this is an interior wall.

On 2021-02-10 by JT

2-4 loud popping cracking sounds in one room of my one story 44 year old house. Same wall same places. Sound is not muffled. Sounds crisp loud and wakes me up. I have radiant heat in the ceiling.

On 2020-09-25 by (mod) - steps to discover what is making a smacking or popping noise in my house?

Heather you might want to try looking through the noise sources listed above on this page and let me know what you think.

Basically you take note of when and where noises occur and then look for likely sources: moving parts, thermal expansion, electrical or mechanical components.

Our SOUND EVENT LOG can help you figure out the source of a noise by collecting diagnostic information: time of day, weather, what machinery is running, etc.

On 2020-09-24 by Heather

What are steps to discover what is making a smacking or popping noise in my house?
It’s happened three times in two days. Never before that. It is very loud and it is the exact same noise each time. The first time I thought someone was in my house. The second time I Thought something fell. The third time I considered the possibility of it being electrical. I felt every wall for heat and found none.

What are the chances it is electrical?
I’m worried. My husband has yet to hear it so he has not taken it seriously yet.

On 2020-08-20 by (mod) - crackling noise around solid foam board insulation

Sophie

When I've come across this crackling noise around solid foam board insulation construction the problem wasn't the foam itself but rather the thermal movement of other building materials along the foam board surface. You may need to insert a friction breaker, even simple housewrap might work, but it's going to be some trouble.

On 2020-08-17 by Sophie M

We have recently built a garden studio which is insulated the stud walls, floor and ceiling with PIR insulation board with expanding foam in the gaps, all sealed with foil tape.

There is a crackle noise coming from what I believe must be the expanding foam. What is causing the crackle and what can we do to stop the crackle?

On 2020-07-27 by Jingjing

Also we don’t see curling or bending of the siding.

Thank you for getting back to me! Can the vinyl siding cause that big of a noise? Don’t you think it may be something inside the wall? My handyman even suggested us to open a hole in the wall to see what is really inside it. This is quite a big project if we go that route.

Regarding the siding, last month I hired a contractor to check a small part of the siding for us, he said it installed correctly-not too loose or too tight. But today as you suggested my husband tried to slide a few pieces of siding outside our deck, some of them can move easily, one or two pieces are really tight

. I am guess it maybe just a few pieces of siding that are making the pops, but I don’t know which ones unless we check the whole siding around the house, do you think so? Also do you offer such service or suggest someone? We live in Westchester County New York.
Thank you again!

On 2020-07-26 - by (mod) - cause of the popping snapping noise: siding that's nailed too-tightly

Jingjing

It sounds as if you've diagnosed the most-likely cause of the popping snapping noise: siding that's nailed too-tightly onto the house.

If you cannot, using simple hand pressure, slide siding segments about 1/4 to 1/2" left or right then it's probably nailed too tightly.

On 2020-07-26 1 by Jingjing

Hello, our house is a wood frame single family house built in year 2000, the house wall looks all fine, but what bothers us is the snapping and popping noise coming from the wall. It seems to follow the sunlight and more prevalent with the temperature change.

During early morning in summer (7-9am) the east side of the wall starts to pop, the sound is loud and frequent, sounds like an air gun and always wake us up. Then during mid morning time it moves with the sun to the south side of the wall, in the afternoon it appears to the west side of the wall.

We also hear popping at night when temperature drops. Also strangely there is no popping during a cloudy or rainy day. We can’t pinpoint a certain area, we originally sought it has something to do with the exterior vinyl siding contracting/expanding, we hired a contractor and he checked the siding for us and couldn’t find any installation problems.

Then we think the sound is actually coming from inside the wall. We also try to link it with other things in the house, it seems doesn’t have correlation with the HVAC system, or water running or people walking.

We live in a community where there are 100+ houses built at the same time by the same developer, we asked around our neighbors but none of them have this issue. We really don’t know what to do now, please can you help? I can be reached at yinjingjing@hotmail.com, thanks!

Question: horrible loud popping noises in every room, day and night, coming from attic?

We have just moved into a 40 year old home in Texas. The house makes popping noises in every room day and night. I believed the sounds to be coming from the attic but when I investigated, I couldn't hear the noises.

Then I decided that the popping noises were coming from the walls and ceiling and believe most pops are near the top of the wall - but not always. The pops are always a single pop and vary in intensity.

Sometimes it is a very soft sound and other times it is loud enough to wake us. In one room, the popping noise sometimes includes a sound of falling metal.

In most rooms, every wall is involved. Now that I have heard the popping noise for several weeks, I find that I can also hear it from outside of our home. The structure is brick on slab foundation. The roof is a hip structure with ridge venting. The attic is well insulated.

A builder friend of our realtor inspected the return vents, roof venting and the attic and found nothing wrong. He could offer no suggestions as to the source or what to do about it. Of course, the seller denies any knowledge of the noise so we have no way of knowing if they have had anyone look at it to rule out sources.

It is difficult to tell if weather is a factor. It is very hot here but I can't tell that the popping noise is any better or worse in early morning or late afternoon. It is very irritating to have spent our life's savings for our retirement home to end up with this. We live in a small town so "experts" in any field that might help us are far and few between. We really don't know where to start. - Judy 8/1/12

Reply: Popping noises that are all over the place and continuous day and night

Judy, Popping noises that are all over the place and continuous day and night sound very strange to me - an immediate explanation does not suggest itself in those conditions; I'd track down the sound to more of a pinpoint location, using a mechanic's stethoscope if necessary.

I'd also like to know how the house is built - metal studs or wood framing - and to what activities or events we can relate the sounds: thermal changes, equipment turning on or off, air movement, people movement, sunlight exposure, etc.

Because you indicate that the sounds are continuous day and night one tends not to suspect weather, sun, outdoor temperature changes - look for something that is ongoing.

In such a mystery, the most productive course is pinpointing the sound source.

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: Moisture droplets and clicking from an Amana gas furnace plastic exhaust vent

I have a 60 year old home with a fairly new 95% efficiency 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.

Take a look at these example safety articles Goodman HTPV RECALL

and PLASTIC PLEXVENT ULTRAVENT RECALL

Question: Bang noise when starting up a woodstove

HI there, my boyfriend and I live in a house that has a wood-burning stove as its source of heat. But whenever we start up a fire, which causes the metal stove to go from cold to hot, there is a loud bang when it heats up once the fire is going well.

Any ideas on what that could be? Any help would be appreciated! - Jason & Ali 5/4/12

Reply:

Watch out:  what you describe could be dangerous. It sounds as if you are describing a noise produced by expanding metal that is at once trying to expand and is held tightly in place until the thermal expansion force takes over the restricting force.

Some such noises are harmless, but if there is flexing in the chimney or in woodstove parts there could be a risk of hidden damage that could result in a spark, heat, or gases leaking into the building - thus a potential fire or CO risk.

I'd ask a certified chimney sweep, woodstove installer, or fire inspector for a safety inspection before continuing to use such a heating system.

On 2017-04-04 by (mod) - thermal expansion contraction popping noises

Joe

Most likely you're hearing either thermal expansion/contraction among pool side or other metal or plastic components, or possibly responses to pressure.

Let's do some testing: can you shade the pool or the parts of it getting the most sunlight - even by rigging a temporary tarp? That might be diagnostic.

See TEMPERATURE CHANGE RELATED NOISES

On 2017-04-04 by Joe

Have a 1 yr old house. The dark aluminum pool enclosure makes soft and loud popping noises. Not in any one place nor all the time. Builder installed additional support cables, bit did not help. But on days it occurs it is very annoying. Live in Florida.

On 2017-01-27 by Anonymous

Gas condensate pump makes a continuous fast clicking noise for a couple of minutes each time the furnace kicks on. Gently pressing the pvc pipe coming out of it stops the sound at that point. But next time it happens again.

On 2016-12-05 1 by (mod) - a soft popping or plopping sound

Patti
Sorry I've not got a good guess. Your service tech will listen, inspect, remove the access covers, and inspect further. I'd beware: popping sounds can sometimes indicate an unsafe electrical wiring problem.

On 2016-12-05 by Patti

in a condo, my air handler is in a closet, with the unit on the roof. Lately, from the air handler, a soft popping or plopping sound

repeats every few seconds while running, and stops when the compressor turns off. At first I thought it was a drip sounds, but it's not. any ideas? The a/c performs fine. Thank you.

On 2016-09-21 by (mod) re: clicking snapping sound

Check for an electrostatic air cleaner in your duct system; those make thenoises you describe, even in normal operation, though there are often more snaps, pops, and snips from the electrostatic air cleaner right at the start of a fan-on cycle (or right after I thump dusty ductwork)

On 2016-09-04 by Jack - loud clicking/snapping sound is located in the main vent

I failed to mention that the loud clicking/snapping sound is located in the main vent, just a few inches behind the filter. The filter and the unit are brand new.

Thanks!

I am in a brand new build apartment with a Goodman air conditioning unit. The blower is extremely loud, and there is an extremely loud snapping and clicking that happens whenever the unit kicks in.

I have had the guy who installs the units look at it and told me it was the condenser coil making the noise and there is nothing he could do about it. Other apartments have also complained.

The guy across the hall has to sleep with the bedroom door closed. I have not gotten a single night's sleep since I moved in here due to this noise. What can I tell them needs to be done to correct the noise. If I had this installed at my house, I would have had it ripped out the next day.

I haven't read anything yet that seems to be something that I can take to this guy that denies that the noise can be fixed. Thanks in advance for any help you folks can give!!!e

On 2016-01-24 by (mod) - gas burner makes popping sounds

Anon:

Regarding the question beginning "My heater is not even 5 years old" = I don't understand the question. If you mean a gas fired heating appliance is making a popping noise that sounds dangerous, risking a gas explosion. The problem could be a bad valve or control.

Watch out: That is unsafe. I suggest turning off the gas supply and heater, then calling your service technician for repair.

On 2016-01-17 by Anonymous

My heater is not even 5 yrs old an it pop like the gas pops to top of wall heater its a empire beand its cleaned out and everything the thermal cup was change 2 weeks ago an then it started doing that i need help

On 2015-07-17 by (mod) re: turn off power to an unsafe well pump: heard popping noise

I'd turn OFF electrical power to the well as it sounds as if there may have been a short circuit or burned-up control. We don't want someone to be killed by electrical shock.

With power off your well or plumbing company can diagnose the problem; from just your email I'm not sure what failed.

On 2015-07-12 by POP sound like a .22 rifle shot

Sry about that it could be the switch popped change it now cant hold water pressure it goes up to 50 psi turns off kicks in at 30 psi then the pressure goes down to zero need help plese

I heard popping noise like a >22 cal going off form my well system after 10 min later I had no water did my pressure tank blew up ? Some one told me

Question: constant clicking in our plumbing vent pipe

(July 28, 2015) Anita said:
We have constant 'clicking' in our plumbing vent pipe - just beside our bedroom. We have cut the wall twice to discover the problem but haven't had any luck. What can we do to stop this - we don't sleep while this is going on and it takes a while for the vent to cool down after using the hot water. Help.

Reply:

Check the clearance space around the vent pipe - assuming this is a metal pipe that is expanding or contracting it may be rubbing on building components that it is touching. Don't just cut out larger openings around pipes to give open cleaerance.

Clearance openings may need to be sealed with a fire rated caulk or foam to prevent fire or smoke spread in event of a fire and to comply with your local codes. Check that with your building department.

(July 29, 2015) Anita said:

Thanks for your answer. The vent pipe is some type of black 'plastic' - and we only cut out the drywall to see if we could ascertain the problem. I am wondering if the builder used the cheapest kind of vent pipe and if a better quality would not give us the same problem.
Thanks for your consideration.

Question: Caloric range oven made a loud POP now oven won't light

(June 21, 2014) tamnic656 said:
while cleaning my caloric range/oven ,I toughed something followed by a loud pop , now I half to light the burners and the oven wont light at all

Reply:

T.

Sounds as if an electronic control failed. I'd be worried about an electrical short and unsafe range/oven and would turn off power to the unit pending inspection and repair.

...

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

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  • HVAC SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS
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  • POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • ROOFING NOISES
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• TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF - may explain ceiling noises including snapping or tapping

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