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.
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of Interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
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.
Watch out: Always remain alert for a possible ticking noise that was not in the list - and let us know so that we can add it here.
"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.
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.
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. - On 2019-01-12 by pete
Reply 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 & clicksand 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.Followup-1 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.
Reply 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.
Followup-2 by pete
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. 2019-01-16
Followup-3 by pete - hum from the compressor power box, plus ticking noise at the compressor, it's 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).
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 2019-02-02Reply 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".Watch out: ticking noises can also be electrical in origin and can indicate a failing switch, breaker, relay, ior other control.
See also TAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
Also see HUMMING NOISES in BUILDINGS
Followup-4 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
Reply 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.Followup-5 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.
Reply 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.
Followup-6 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 2019-02-09
Followup-7 - Ticking noises stopped when we replaced bad circuit breaker
After replacing the breaker, everything has been working well. Thanks for your help! I'll be back when there's time to troubleshoot the rumbling in the furnace fan. Your site is awesome.
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 2019-02-21 by pete -
...
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
TICKING NOISE DIAGNOSIS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
Or see this
Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.
Search the InspectApedia website
Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.
Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
IF above you see " Comment Form is loading comments..." then COMMENT BOX - countable.ca / bawkbox.com I S NOT WORKING.
In any case you are welcome to send an email directly to us at InspectApedia.com at editor@inspectApedia.com
We'll reply to you directly. Please help us help you by noting, In your email, the URL of the InspectApedia page where you wanted to comment.
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.