How to find and fix the sources of Ticking 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: ticking noises at a fan of any sort may be a loose wobbly fan blade or the blade hitting an obstruction like a stick, wire, or metal grille component.

How to Find the Source of Ticking Noises & Sounds in Buildings

Most-common sources of Ticking sounds in buildings

Below we list articles describing the most-common sources of Ticking sounds in buildings.

Photo: metal roofs may be a source of ticking or tapping noises due to thermal expansion or contraction.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Watch out: Always remain alert for a possible Ticking 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.

Watch out: also, people describe sounds differently. One person's "Ticking on the door" may be another's "rapping noise" and someone else's snapping or popping or crackling noise. At the end of this page we provide links to diagnostic articles for these similar terms or sounds.

• HVAC system Ticking noise: 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 Ticking noise: 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
• Roof Ticking noise may be 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 Ticking noises in buildings

Because there are many sources Ticking sounds in buildings 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 those 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 Ticking 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 may be relevant to sources of Ticking noise
• Building materials on roof, siding, walls, framing can be sources of Ticking sounds, especially when subjected to heating and cooling - thermal movement, or to wind or other sources of movement
  
  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
• 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 - Ticking noise at the chimney
  
  CLICKING SOUNDS from air conditioner or heat pump system
  
  DUCT SYSTEM NOISES Ticking sounds from thermal expansion & contraction
  
  FAN NOISES, HVAC
  
  GAS BURNER POPPING NOISES
  
  HEATING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
  OIL BURNER CLICKING SOUND
  
  TEMPERATURE CHANGE RELATED NOISES
  
  WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES - clicking pump relay may be described by some people as Ticking noise
• Ticking 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 the Ticking 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
• Ticking 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
  
  - External conditions: equipment operating in the neighborhood or at neighbors may make a Ticking sound
  
  - 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 or Ticking sounds & noises
  
  
• Siding type, materials, and method of affixing can make Ticking 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 tap tap or Ticking 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.
  
  

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2019-02-09 by pete - got rid of TICKING NOISES at A/C condenser unit

I replaced the condenser fan today and it's running smoothly and quiet. No TICKING NOISES! Now we'll see if the furnace blower is also bad. Things happen in "twos" a lot (at least for me).

I'm going to replace the furnace circuit breaker also because it looks slightly different than all the other breakers, as if it's been replaced in the past. Thanks for your help, I'll let you know if everything is okay.

On 2019-02-04 by (mod) - electrical sources of ticking noise at HVAC systems

Sometimes damaged electrical wire insulation can be very difficult to spot with the naked eye. It would be so expensive to do so I would be inclined to replace on a suspect wires particularly ones that are near or touching electrical components. There's also arcing that can occur inside of a relay or even on a circuit board.

On 2019-02-03 by pete

Yes, I'm considering changing the A/C breaker. It's fairly old. I checked for any signs of arcing but didn't find any in the heat pump.

On 2019-02-02 by (mod) - tracking down ticking noises that are not mechanical

Ouch.

So either there's a bad breaker or there's a failing electrical component or a short.

"Ticking" sounds can also be other than mechanical:

a spark or arc from a loose wire, arcing relay, failing switch, etc.

On 2019-02-02 by pete

This ticking has been going on for years. It's fairly loud now. I've searched for obstructions many times. The fan spins manually without any noises, and seems free. I'll double check for loose mounting bolts. No signs of the fan hitting anything that I can see.

But something is flipping the 60A A/C breaker and then the 60A heater breaker so I'm nervous. Nothing else on those circuits. Thanks.

On 2019-02-02 by (mod) - fan ticking vs humming at transformers vs humming failing motor

Usually a fan ticking noise is a blade hitting an obstruction - a wire (dangerous) or a twig or even a protective grille or metal casing.

A bad fan bearing can also be at fault, or loose fan mounting screws/

A little humming at transformers is typical, though ultimately I think it presages a transformer failure still I've seen some hum for years. Or I should say "heard".

See also TAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Also see HUMMING NOISES in BUILDINGS

On 2019-02-02 by pete

Apologies if this posts twice, I included an image in my previous post that may have been too big. Thanks for your help.

The loud ticking noise is the fan motor. Using my mechanic stethoscope, there were no noises from the relay, transformer, capacitor, circuit board, or compressor. T

he small (plastic) box attached to the compressor where the power goes in, was humming, easily heard through the stethoscope.

I will need a new motor, but should I worry about the hum? Hums always worry me. Thanks again for your fantastic site and your efforts to help others.
Pete

On 2019-02-02 1 by pete - hum from the compressor power box, plus ticking noise at the compressor, it's not from the fan.

Hi Dan, today I was able to get the stethoscope on the parts.

The ticking is coming from the fan. No doubt, and loader from the back of the fan ( I couldn't get to the front). There is no sound from the relay or transformer, but a hum coming from the compressor power box (physically attracted to the compressor).

The hum is fairly loud through the stethoscope, but drowned out by other noises without using the stethoscope. There are no sounds from the compressor at all. So I know I need a fan, but should I be worrying about the hum? I didn't look inside the humming box (image attached).

On 2019-01-16 by pete

Sorry. I have not managed to check my system yet. It continues to work, but I know it will fail again. That's just how these things work. You all provide an incredible service to the public on this site. I'll be back with more information ASAP. Thanks!

It will have to be in the morning.
Thank you.
Pete

On 2019-01-13 by (mod) - rapid ticking? rule out problems at the compressor motor

We also want to rule out knocking sounds in the compressor motor - maybe if you can safely do so, with a mechanic's sthethoscope.

On 2019-01-13 by Pete - rapid ticking noise when fan runs

It's a regular and rapid ticking whenever the fan is running. I did check the noises info here which is great. I haven't tightened any fan bolts, but my gut tells me it doesn't sound like bad bearings... But I've been wrong before.

On 2019-01-13 by (mod) - York Compressor trips breaker, making irregular noise

Pete

Assuming you checked out the fan noises we poke into in HVAC noises group 2 at

FAN NOISES wobbles, motor hum, depending on speed, also ticks & clicks

and we give sources of more fan noises are at FAN NOISES, HVAC

Then if the noise is mechanical and regular we want to look further at moving parts;

If the noise is irregular in time or is temperature related that'd be a diagnostic clue.

Relay switches that click on and off might also be described as "ticking" by some folks.

Rumbling - presuming you mean indoors at the air handler, is, most likely a completely separate issue - I agree - that it's to do with the blower. Look first for loose or wobbly fan blower bearings - with POWER OFF so as not to get fingers chopped off.

On 2019-01-12 by pete - ticking at the York condenser unit

My York outside condenser unit has a fan that definitely 'ticks' continuously when running. It's fairly loud and sounds just like a small stick is caught in the top grill and hitting the fan. This has gone on several years and I have looked extensively but can't find what the fan might be hitting.

Then last night the system tripped both circuit breakers for the outside condenser and inside blower/ furnace. I reset the breakers and it started working, but later tripped the breakers again.

After resetting the breakers again, I noticed the outside fan was not running, though the temperature outside was about 36F. I understand that the outside fan won't operate when the temperature is less than about 32F, so this might not be the problem.

But after re-seating the outside fuses, and the breaker located on the furnace (different from the breaker box), the system seems okay. Another noise the system makes is a rumbling when the inside blower starts, which has also been occurring for years.

I feel like my system is warning me, but I'm not sure if the ticking means I definitely need a new fan motor, or the rumbling means I need a new blower (it doesn't really shake but if I try hard I might convince myself it is shaking only on startup).

Any suggestions? If it wasn't raining I'd go put a stethoscope on the outside fan motor and compressor.

...

Continue reading at POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home
  • NOISE SOURCE LOCATION - LOG FILES
  • ALPHABETICAL LIST OF NOISES by SOURCE or SOUND TYPE
  • AIR CONDITIONING NOISES - condensate drips or thermal expanding in ductwork?
  • APPLIANCE NOISE DIAGNOSIS - ticking in the washing machine or dryer?
  • BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS - louder than mere ticking
  • CHIMNEY NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • CLICKING NOISES
  • DRIPPING WATER SOUND SOURCES - described as ticking
  • DUCT SYSTEM NOISES
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOISES
  • FAN NOISES in BUILDINGS - fan blade hitting an obstruction may produce a ticking or tapping noise
  • FLOORING NOISES in BUILDINGS - pitter patter of a pet? creaking flooring?
  • GHOST NOISES
  • HEATING SYSTEM NOISES
  • HVAC CLICKING SOUNDS from air conditioner or heat pump system
  • HVAC SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE SOURCES
  • POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  • ROOFING NOISES - flapping, popping, snapping roofs
  • ROOF TEMPERATURE CHANGE & ROOF NOISE - creaks, snaps, pops
  • SIDING NOISES & SOUNDS - thermal movement
  • SOUND EVENT LOG record these details to track down a noise to its source
  • STAIR NOISES
  • TAPPING NOISES in BUILDINGS
  • TEMPERATURE CHANGE RELATED NOISES - thermal expansion of sheet metal or pipes = ticking sound or tapping noise
  • TEMPERATURE CHANGE & ROOF NOISE
  • THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS - very common cause of ticking or tapping noises
  • TICKING NOISES in BUILDINGS - may also be described as tapping
  • TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF - may explain ceiling noises including snapping or ticking
  • WALL NOISES
  • WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE - ticking noises at the washing machine
  • WATER HEATER NOISE DIAGNOSIS, CURE - scale in the water heater causes noises
  • WIND NOISES at BUILDING

 

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