Noise in Wall!!!!!! - InspectionNews

Cody Atkinson · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:05 PM

This is a very general description of a problem a client is having. Granted, I haven't been to the home, this is from her description:

Client described a noise in a wall. The wall is located in the downstairs master bedroom. There is nothing on the other side of the wall other than the exterior of the house. There are no trees, bushes, gutters, exterior hose bibs,,etc. She is hearing this noise (described as 2 balloons rubbing together and very loud) at night and in the morning. It's a constent sound she hears. We have had very high winds here in Texas and it seems to be making this noise when the wind gets to a certain speed. She does have rats/birds in the attic, but the exterminator said that is no animal making that noise. If any of you need more clarification, please let me know and I will be glad to give you whatever info I have:

Symptoms: Sounds like 2 baloons rubbing together. Only happens at night/morning. Only during high winds. House is on a slab. 2 story house. There is nothing above bedroom other than the attic. No plumbing to think of in that area (so she says).

Nick Ostrowski · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:12 PM

Cody, this might be the culprit.

Richard Stanley · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:14 PM

Bats!

Cody Atkinson · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:14 PM

LOL...I knew that was it. Was right in front of my face!!! LOL,,,Cant stop laughin!

Cody Atkinson · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:16 PM

Maybe bats and ballons!

Ted Menelly · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:17 PM

I had a couple of similar situations over years. In one home ,It turned out to be honey bees in the wall. I listened to it in the early morning and it did kind of sound like something rubing but it did turn out to be bees. Another time it turned out to be suirrels. Yeah I know but those were the creatures creating the strange noises.

Cody Atkinson · #7 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:22 PM

Her fear is it might be structural. Is there a way to go through her homeowners insurance for this problem since we have had 40 and 50 mile an hour winds? I really dont know what to tell her, but you guys are always very helpful and FUNNY.....

Anyway, she sees no cracks/separation on the interior or exterior. Windows open and close and the floor seems level/doors square to her. O well, i know, I need to be there!

Bob Spermo · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:44 PM

Look at the wall with an IR camera! Sometimes they can pick up animals by their higher temperature.

Cody Atkinson · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:47 PM

Thanks Bob....I'll try and lead her in that direction.

Jerry Peck · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 04:06 PM

Sounds like it could also be the vent stack rubbing against framing from movement, expansion/contraction/wind.

The apartment our daughter just moved to, she is on the second floor of a two story apartment building, on the end, and whenever she runs hot water at the kitchen sink the stack starts to expand and s-q-u-e-a-k-s as it rubs against framing.

Could be something like that, only maybe rubbing back and forth, or maybe just the wind howling across the top of the vent like when you blow across a bottle, she may be hearing the echo of that sound.

Nick Ostrowski · #11 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 04:58 PM

To echo what Jerry said, my office is on the 3rd floor in our house. Our main plumbing vent stack runs inside a wall of my office area and when my wife is in the shower, I hear the vent stack clicking and expanding.

It's either that or hidden balloons

.

Matt Fellman · #12 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 09:43 PM

Cut the freaking wall open!!!!!!!!!!! People act like drywall is gold!!! What's it cost to cut a hole and patch it? $100 if you get ripped off?

I'm in no way trying to give the OP a hard time.... I just get annoyed at the average homeowner's lack of understanding of how simple a house really is. It's not like this it's rocket science.

Why pay a guy $300 to come out with an IR camera to make a guess as to what's behind the wall when for $100 you can see it.

This is one I'm always trying to explain to buyers/agents.... Does it need a post? Does that footing have adequate support? Well, you could hire an engineer for $500 to come tell you for sure. Or, you could just fix it for $300.... you decide.

Cody Atkinson · #13 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 10:03 AM

LOL Matt! That's exactly what I told her to do. Will keep everyone informed on this balloon problem!!!

Michael Thomas · #14 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 12:05 PM

Squirrels?

OK.. Enough. time to get some work done...

Wayne Carlisle · #15 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Another time it turned out to be suirrels. Yeah I know but those were the creatures creating the strange noises.

The old dreaded Fort Worth suirrels! Those are some bad dudes man!!

Rick Hurst · #16 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 01:50 PM

One way to keep the squirrells out is to paint it an annoying color.

Jerry Peck · #17 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Carlisle

The old dreaded Fort Worth suirrels! Those are some bad dudes man!!

Who has that photo showing Roof Beavers (or whatever it was)?

I need to save that this time.

Could be one o' 'dem things.

Rick Hurst · #18 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 02:56 PM

Jerry,

Here is that Norwegian roof beaver that I've had on file.

rick

Ted Menelly · #19 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Jerry,

Here is that Norwegian roof beaver that I've had on file.

rick

I guess that guys butt cheeks rubbing together would sound like big balloons rubbing together

H.G. Watson, Sr. · #20 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 03:20 PM

I've heard HO's describe similiar tracked down to be the drop in punched sofit eave panels flexing and siding/trim. Wind driven turbine can rattle/squeak. Also heard similar complaints tracked down to the bedsprings/headboard and movement (breathing even) by a shared bed occupant

. Some snorers are squeakers and wake themselves up or fade to sleep hearing their own noises.

It is amazing how noises can be tracked and narrowed down by the HO with a $20 stethoscope purchased from the drug store.

Jerry Peck · #21 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Jerry,

Here is that Norwegian roof beaver that I've had on file.

rick

Rick,

Thanks, I saved that this time (maybe last time too, but who knows -I sure don't

).

Jerry Peck · #22 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H.G. Watson, Sr.

It is amazing how noises can be tracked and narrowed down by the HO with a $20 stethoscope purchased from the drug store.

Ear plugs would also work.

Instead of that stethoscope, I'd suggest buying one at the auto parts place - a mechanics stethoscope ( Northern Industrial Mechanics Stethoscope | Automotive Diagnostics | Northern Tool + Equipment ).

I have also suggested, in the past, that home inspectors should carry one (mechanics stethoscope), it is amazing what you can confirm or rule out with one of those.

I have used those on pool pumps a lot, you can hear those bad bearings grinding themselves up into little metal shards.

Same for anything making a mechanical noise (bumping against something, squeaking, rubbing, bearings in motors of all types, really quite useful).

H.G. Watson, Sr. · #23 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 03:46 PM

True, but I've found a dual-head dual diaphram more helpful in tracking noises "in the wall" (high and low frequency) and in identifying if the sound is being transmitted via structural members. Removing the head one can easily use as a mechanic's type. Typo previously - they are usually easily found for under ten dollars not 20 at the local drug store.

Mike Truss Guy · #24 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 11:49 PM

You guys are all missing the obvious...

It's ghosts.

Darrel Hood · #25 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 04:52 AM

I dropped a cell phone in a wall recently. Maybe you found it. Thanks.