Learning about your home and knowing it’s ins and outs comes with being a homeowner. It’s important to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. One of the best ways to do so is to keep your ears open.
Here are some of the most common noises you might hear throughout your home, and what you may be able to do to remedy them!
#8: Sink Drain Is Gurgling
A bubbling noise from your drain isn’t always a cause for concern. However, it usually points to an underlying issue. The most common cause is when there is too much water and not enough space for it to drain. That could mean some sort of clog, a collapse, or an issue with the existing plumbing. For example, if you were to hook up a new appliance like a dishwasher into an existing drain, it may not be suited to handle that much water.
Another issue that could cause gurgling is lack of air. You may not be aware of this, but all drains in your home have access to the outside air, which prevents backflow and pushes the water in the proper direction. If there is something blocking that outdoor air from entering the drain, usually located through the roof, the water would struggle to exit your home!
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#7: Baseboard Heat Is Causing a BANGING Noise
If your home uses hot water to heat itself, like baseboard or radiators, and you’re noticing a loud banging noise, you’re not alone! The culprit is likely air within the water lines, which needs to be bled to allow your boiler to work properly. This hammer-like noise can also point to an issue with your expansion tank, which regulates the air created when water is heated up. It may seem like a very serious issue, but there’s usually a quick fix.
#6: Clanging Noise Coming from Vents
If you have forced hot air in your home, delivered through ductwork and registers, there may be a different issue. The banging noise you might hear is similar to a pop or even thunder. If ductwork is not properly sized, it may try to expand when air is pushed through it, creating this noise throughout your home. Alternatively, contrasting humidity within the ducts and outside the ducts will have a similar effect.
#5: There Is a Whistling in My Home
A slight whistling noise can be a number of things, depending on where you hear it from. If it’s mainly on windy days, there’s a good chance that you may have a small opening to the outside somewhere in your home. In most cases, a smaller hole will create a higher pitched noise when air is forced through it, like wind. Taking the time to inspect your home and fill in any cracks can prevent this from happening.
Another common source of whistling noises could be your furnace or air handler. The first thing to check is the door to make it secure. If you have a filter cabinet, check that door as well. Even if it is slightly askew or not clicked in properly, the forced air will try to escape, creating the noise you’re hearing. Within the realm of your HVAC system, ductwork may deteriorate over time and create that symphonic noise you’re hearing.
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#4: Buzzing/Humming Electrical Panel or Outlet
If there’s one thing to keep your ears open for, it’s sizzling noises from outlets or electrical panels. These noises usually indicate something is miswired or loose which can ultimately be a fire hazard. Secure connections are very important when it comes to electrical safety.
Be aware of the amount of devices you are plugging into a single circuit. If you begin to experience frequent breaker trips, it may be time to upgrade your panel to allow for a higher capacity, or run dedicated lines to appliances that use more electricity, like refrigerators or microwaves.
#3: Scraping at Furnace/Air Handler
It’s a common call that we get from our Jersey Shore homeowners throughout the year. The sound of metal-on-metal scraping echoed through ductwork is a frequent concern. The first thing to do is turn the unit off, either at the emergency switch or from the thermostat, to ensure the system doesn’t keep trying to keep running.
The best thing to do is to call a professional HVAC technician to come and diagnose the issue, which could be a number of things.
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#2: Rumbling from Water Heater
Keeping your water heater running properly is likely a priority for your home. No one likes to be without hot water. As these units approach the end of their lifespan, sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank, which creates a low rumbling noise when it runs. If this is a frequent noise you hear, it is important to keep an eye on the unit. This sediment will ultimately deteriorate the tank itself and could lead to major water leaks.
The best way to handle this noise is by avoiding it all together. Adding a water treatment system, like a filter or softener, as well as regular maintenance are some of the best ways to extend the lifespan of your water heater.
#1: Tapping at Condenser
You can certainly tell when your AC condenser is running, especially if it is an older unit. Both the fan and compressor create noise when running, but what if you notice something out of the ordinary? If you’re noticing a slight tapping noise, your condenser unit might be off balance. Creating a stable platform for a unit that vibrates when running is imperative.
Refrigerant leaks are one of the biggest detriments to air conditioning. If your condenser is rocking back and forth, it can wear holes into the refrigerant lines, leading to less efficient AC and eventually, no cooling at all.
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Keep Your Ears Open…
It’s easy to miss subtle changes like noises, but identifying issues before they get worse can protect your home from further damage.
Rostron Premium Home Services offers heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services for Monmouth County and Ocean County in New Jersey. Need an expert opinion? Give us a call and we can send out a professional team member to evaluate.
