Foam insulation can act as a sound barrier, and the more the better. Foam insulation is a good choice for sealing small spaces or just assisting in upstairs spaces where the noise may be the worst. Fasteners, as previously discussed, may help prevent wind noise and damage to the roof.
It's thermal expansion and contraction. The sun hits your roof and heats it up. As the lumber expands, it moves and rubs against other pieces of wood that aren't moving at the same rate. This movement creates the popping noise. When the wood cools down after sunset, the same thing happens in reverse.
It is quite normal for some buildings to do this. The noise is simply the building expanding and contracting as it is heated and cooled. As long as you do not see any cracks in the drywall, or the drywall looking, or feeling, like it is coming off of the wall or ceiling it isn't something to be concerned about.
Temperature Changes: Materials like wood expand when heated and contract when cooled. During the day, when temperatures rise, wooden beams and floorboards may expand. At night, as temperatures drop, these materials contract, causing creaking sounds.
If you hear the telltale sound of skittering, squeaking, scratching or buzzing coming from inside your walls, it may very well be exactly what you think it is—an unexpected house guest. From raccoons, mice and squirrels to birds, bees, and the dreaded rat, these critters can become unwanted tenants in our homes.
It is a fact that homes will settle over the years. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. However, knowing when to call in a foundation repair expert will help alleviate unnecessary anxiety and worry.
If you hear scurrying or scratching sounds, it is likely that you have an animal in your attic. Common animals that enter attics include rats, mice, squirrels, and raccoons. These animals can cause damage to your insulation and wiring, so it is important to have them removed as soon as possible.
Foam insulation can act as a sound barrier, and the more the better. Foam insulation is a good choice for sealing small spaces or just assisting in upstairs spaces where the noise may be the worst. Fasteners, as previously discussed, may help prevent wind noise and damage to the roof.
Occasionally, if enough pressure builds up between two beams or other structural elements, the joint will slip a little, causing a loud cracking noise in the house. This sound is sometimes known as weathering and is normally not a cause for concern.
If you hear any clicking, buzzing or tapping sounds in the wall, you may be facing a potential termite invasion. Termites are hard to spot and often go unnoticed, causing significant amounts of damage in homes each year.
Rodents - Mice and rats are frequent causes of scurrying sounds in ceilings. Rodents are agile climbers that can easily squeeze their way into homes through small openings and find their way up to the ceiling. Squirrels - Squirrels are known for their incredible agility and climbing ability.
Serious cracks
Ceiling cracks accompanied by sagging also require immediate attention. While one small ceiling crack usually isn't anything to worry about, multiple small ceiling cracks in the same area indicate more than normal movement and should be evaluated.
It's likely a rat or mouse. Soon after sundown, it is not uncommon to hear the scurrying of rats and mice in the ceiling or wall cavities. Instead of clawing or squeaking, you'll probably only hear them racing and scampering.
If there is no gap, then during the day the roof warms and the plywood expands. Then at night it cools and shrinks. As it expands and shrinks without an expansion gap it will creak and pop. Not a big deal and not much you can do about it.
Noises in the attic are worrying and can be an indication that rodents or other wildlife may be living in your roof. Attics (lofts) are ideal environments for squirrels and rodents, who damage stored items by gnawing and possibly cause fire hazards by chewing electric cabling.
Do you notice creaking and cracking noises at night, when things are quiet? Most of the time, this is just the normal thermal expansion and contraction of your home's wooden structure and attic beams. It happens often when the air cools in the evening and the wood contracts.
Rodents (Rats and Mice)
Rodents are among the most common pests to invade roofs and attics. Signs of Rodents in Your Roof: Scratching or scurrying sounds at night. Droppings near food storage areas or along walls.
Popping or cracking sounds can arise from the expansion and contraction of building materials due to temperature changes. While these noises are generally harmless, homeowners should be proactive about ruling out any potential structural issues.
CEILING CRACKS COULD BE A SIGN OF FOUNDATION PROBLEMS
However, most cracks are caused by the natural aging process of your home or foundation settlement. If you have water leaks in your attic, water stains can appear on your ceiling. Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services can help you with ceiling cracks.
Cracks, water damage, mold, and more can appear on your ceiling, but who should you call for ceiling repair? A licensed general contractor with experience in ceiling repair may be the best option if the damage is extensive or involves structural issues.
Thin cracks are usually not cause for concern, but you should consult a professional if they become wider than five millimetres. Diagonal cracks that look like staircase steps can be a sign of structural damage, and you should consult a structural engineer.
Courtesy of the artists. The average lifespan of a house in the United States is between 50 and 63 years, from construction to demolition.
Foundation inspection costs homeowners an average of $600 but typically ranges from $300–$1,000. See which factors will impact your total cost. Mark Howey is a licensed California building contractor with more than four decades of experience in the construction industry.