Why Do Houses Creak?

You may notice that your house becomes a little noisy from time to time, especially at night. If you like horror stories, you could find them to be pretty fascinating. You'll feel like a character out of a movie. However, this is not the case for the majority of people. Most people find this frightening and want to get it resolved as soon as possible. To help with resolving this situation, we will answer the question, "why do houses creak?"

You are not alone if unusual creaking and popping sounds from your roof wake you up on a cold night. It is normal for homes to do this during the cold winter months. Because of the cold, dense air and lack of activity at night, sound travels farther and sounds louder than it would during the day.

Why do houses creak?

If your home makes unusual noises at night, you could think that a ghost is hiding there. The experience may frighten you even though no ghosts are lurking in the attic. Pops creaks, and whines are frequent and can be caused by a variety of factors. That's why understanding why your house is creaking is important. In the following points, we'll try to explain why your house creaks at night:

1. Building material expansion and contraction

Matter expands when heated and contracts when cooled, according to physics. When temperatures drop, exposed building materials shrink rapidly, causing noises as they rub against one another. Because wood is porous, it will absorb moisture from the surrounding dry winter air, enhancing its contracting and shrinking. Nails used to hold down the wood can contract and slip off, making a loud pinging sound. The creaking sound is caused by the wood rubbing against one another as it contracts and shrinks.

2. Expansion and contraction of water pipes

Water pipes contract when it gets cold. When hot water passes through them, they rapidly expand, which may cause the noises you hear in the basement. In cold weather, water in pipes will freeze. When water freezes, it contracts. When water expands in contracting pipes, it creates pressure, which can lead to a pipe making a sound.

3. Bangs from Above

Roof trusses or the wood used to frame the attic in new homes are frequently green, indicating that it still has high moisture content. It can shift and contract as it dries, causing bangs loud enough to make you think a tree fell on the roof. These noises should subside within the first year or so of ownership. Unsettling bangs in older-home attics are more likely to be the sounds of trusses, joists, rafters, and sheathing expanding and contracting as the roof heats up or cools down. Metal roofs are the most common offenders, but shingled roofs can also be quite noisy.

Installing venting in an unvented attic may be beneficial because fresh airflow allows the interior of the attic to cool as the outside temperature drops, reducing abrupt wood movement. Adding insulation may reduce the echo effect caused by a large open attic. However, as sound travels through solids, the bangs can still reverberate through the house's framing.

4. The weather

Thermal expansion and contraction are influenced by natural forces. The soil beneath the house contracts and shrinks away from the foundation in hot, dry weather. Excess rain or flooding, on the other hand, causes soil to expand, putting pressure on the foundation. Watering the soil around your house during hot, dry weather and installing a drainage system to prevent water pooling are simple ways to maintain your foundation.

5. The roof requires repairing

Your roof requiring repair could be a solid reason why your house is creaking.

The best thing to do is climb a ladder first thing in the morning and inspect the roof's exterior. If you notice that some of the shingles are becoming damaged or loose, it is a good indication that it is time to have this repaired.

You have two options in this situation. You have the option of doing some DIY repairs or hiring professionals to do it for you specially on the bathroom décor. If your house is in shambles, doing it yourself might be a good option in the meantime, especially if the damage is minor.

Nonetheless, nothing beats hiring a professional for this type of work. All of the money will be worth it because you will never have to deal with the same problem again, or at least not for a long time.

6. Flat Roofs

The majority of flat roof creaking noise is caused by rain. Assume it has been raining heavily and is extremely noisy inside your home.

You know that heavy rains will make noise on the roof, but not this much noise. If the noise becomes unbearable, the best course of action is to consult a professional.

There is a solution, and it usually involves adding materials to the roof that will keep it silent even during a storm.

7. Plumbing Cracks

Another aspect of your home that requires attention is the plumbing. We previously discussed how a newly constructed house can make noise.

This time, Authority Lifestyle going to talk about how noisy the house can get if the plumbing is too old. There may be an expansion popping if hot water is flowing through copper lines. But that isn't the only reason your house creaks at night.

If you hear clicking sounds after someone turns off the faucet, you may have a water hammer problem. This indicates that the valve was triggered by water pressure when it closed quickly. Because the pipe will react against the wood framing or other pipes, there will be a clunking sound.

8. Underfoot Creaks and Squeaks

If you have wood flooring, it can improve the overall appearance of your home. However, these floors must be renovated every few months.

Otherwise, the wood will become brittle quickly, and the sound will be audible when people step on the floor. This can be an issue if you have a large number of people living in your home. You could be sleeping when you hear this strange noise.

The Bottom Line

There could be a variety of factors behind why a house is creaking. It could be the plumbing, the flooring, or something else. However, your roof is the most likely source of this creaking sound. The noise is the least of your concerns. Roof damage can bring a slew of issues to the table. It's never a bad idea to contact a professional and have your roof inspected so that you can resolve the issue sooner.

 

 This article is originally published on Loyalblog.