9 Strange House Noises Explained

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I have a confession to make. Strange noises scare me.

I’ve lived alone for more than ten years, and I still shudder when I hear anything out of the ordinary. Was that someone coming in? Is there a critter in the attic? Why are my pipes banging?

You name it, and I’ve imagined it. I can’t help it.

But of course, after hours of worrying, Googling, and imagining the worst, it turned out to be nothing. Well, nothing serious…thankfully.

So, if you’re like me and the creaks, clanks, and whispers stir you up, keep reading. Let’s have some fun and break down some of those strange house noises, so you can skip the panic or get to work ASAP.

1. Creaking Floors for No Good Reason

Creaking floors are one of a house’s most common and unsettling noises. And they’re even creepier when they occur in the middle of the night.

But worry no more…it’s usually just the floorboards expanding or contracting with changes in temperature and humidity. Yes, annoying…not harmful.

Consider adding some rugs to muffle the sounds, and try sprinkling baby powder between the floorboards to reduce friction. At the end of the day, if you don’t see sagging or damage, it’s just a little house quirk that doesn’t mean much.

2. Banging in the Walls When You Flush the Toilet or Run Water

Four years ago, I lived alone and very rarely had visitors. One day I happened to use the water in my guest bathroom and to my surprise, I heard banging in the walls. Water on–banging. Water off–no banging.

Of course, my highly nervous self thought a pipe was going to burst. I immediately called the plumber and learned that it was pressure inside the pipes from excess air or water. You can try to drain the system or call a professional plumber to take a look. Flader Plumbing and Heater Co. says it could also be from too little water in a forced hot water system, loose pipes, or high water pressure. You might need to call a plumber to figure it out too.

3. The Washing Machine Sounds Like It’s Full of Shoes

Ok, not really shoes, but it sounds like it. That obnoxious banging noise is probably caused by an unbalanced load of laundry or an issue with the ring.

Look to see if the load is unbalanced and if it disappears when shifting the machine. An unbalanced load is common with heavy, bulky items and can easily be fixed.

The thumping that happens every time you run the washer could be a problem with the balance ring. This ring helps keep the washer in balance and when it’s off, the whole machine can be off.

Try unplugging and draining the washer. If redistributing the load doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll need to call a pro.

4. There’s a Cracking Noise Coming From the Attic

Now this one could make anyone shiver…there’s a few potential causes.

First, it could just be the attic materials naturally expanding with temperature changes. Creaking and popping sounds are pretty common with weather changes and on windy days.

Second, it could be the HVAC system. As the system kicks on you might hear rattling and banging around sounds through the ductwork.

Lastly, it could be critters. If the sound is more frequent, and at night, you gotta think about mice, squirrels, and raccoons. Not fun, but if the sound is infrequent and random, you’re probably okay. If it’s constant and ongoing, get a specialist out to take a look, unless you’re willing to do the deed yourself.

5. Squeaky Doors

Squeaky doors are like the soundtrack to a haunted house. And if you’re anything like me, you might think it means the doors are getting old.

But in reality, it’s just metal-on-metal friction. And you can actually fix it with a little WD-40. I’m telling you, anyone can do this.

Just make sure you open and close the door a few times to work the lubricant in and the squeak will be gone. It’s amazing. You don’t have to live with squeaky doors.

If the noise persists, you might need to tighten the screws on the hinge or even replace them. Either way, squeaky doors are harmless and fixable.

Noises You Don’t Want to Ignore

Yes, homes make strange noises, and you don’t want to be paranoid. But there are some noises that shouldn’t be ignored. Use your gut intuition in most situations, but don’t play around too long if you hear these next three sounds.

1. An Eerrie Whistling Noise

Those high-pitched whistling sounds can be irritating, especially on a windy day. Of course, you could have a small gap in your window frame or, perhaps, a ghost (just kidding). But the odds are more likely that you have an unhappy air filter just patiently waiting for you to do something.

Dirty filters inhibit airflow and cause air to get stuck…hence, the whistling noise. You’ll notice this noise most at night. Changing the filter is usually a quick fix. If it keeps going, make sure your windows are sealed. Then, call a professional.

You don’t want to play with dirty filters too long, though. If ignored, they can damage your air quality and your HVAC system.

2. A Clanking Sound When Turning on the Heat

When you turn on the heat, there is a normal click and maybe a knocking sound. But it shouldn’t be a heavy clanking sound. This could indicate a problem with the boiler itself, so it’s time to get a repairman out there to check it out.

3. Scratching Sounds Coming From the Walls

Unfortunately, scratching noises from behind the walls are probably a creepy, crawly critter trying to move around and get out. You have to be worried about mice, raccoons, and even squirrels at this point. Get a pest specialist out for an assessment as soon as possible. It will be important to promptly get rid of the problem, seal up any entrances to your home, and minimize clutter in the house ASAP to prevent an infestation problem.

4. A Hissing Sound Near the Gas Meter or Outdoor Post

A hissing sound is nothing to play with. It could indicate a gas leak and needs to be checked out immediately. Get out of the house and call the gas company right away. This is one you have to check out right away.