Sounds Homeowners Shouldn’t Ignore

CHICAGO — All homes make noises, but experts say some sounds are more worrisome than others. After all, 70% of homeowners report eerie sounds or strange smells that turned out to be signs of home maintenance issues, according to a recent survey of about 2,000 homeowners conducted by Hippo, a national home insurance company.

Here are some sounds to keep in mind:

• Whistling noises: “Whistling noises around doors and windows come from drafts or small gaps, which can reduce your energy efficiency and increase your heating and air conditioning bills,” says Cassie Sheets, a data journalist at Insurify, an insurance company comparison resource. A whistling sound could also indicate a gap or leak along the roof, she says. “Water and air moving along the materials could be causing them to whistle,” she adds. (Tip: Replacing an old roof makes it less vulnerable to water damage and could even save you up to 35% on an insurance policy, Sheets says.)
• Scratching or squeaking: Pests love to head indoors during the colder months. Listen for noises like scratching, scurrying or even squeaking, which may become more evident at night or in the early morning hours. This could be a sign that rodents, squirrels, raccoons or other wildlife may have made their way into the attic. These pests can damage a home, chewing on electrical wires, insulation and more. Contact a wildlife expert to inspect the home and have any critters removed.
• Buzzing or humming: This could indicate an electrical problem if you hear it from wall outlets, the electrical panel or household appliances. It could be a sign of loose connections on outlets, switches or electrical paneling as well as overloaded circuits. Humming noises near the circuit breaker could be a sign of damaged or loose wires or an electrical arc, Hippo warns. If you suspect an electrical issue, call an electrician immediately.
• Dripping: The sound of a water drip could be a warning sign of a leak. If you can’t spot it, it may be from a cracked pipe in the wall. Look for signs of water stains or discoloration on walls, ceilings or floors. Dripping sounds also could indicate a toilet tank issue or a roof leak. If you hear dripping noises coming from the HVAC, you could have a refrigerant leak or blocked drainage tube, which will need servicing.
• Creaking: Creaky floorboards could be caused by the natural expansion and contraction of the wood when the temperature or humidity changes. It also can naturally occur as a home settles over time. However, creaky noises could be a sign of a more worrisome issue, such as rotting wood or foundation problems, Hippo warns.
• Loud clanging or banging: Clanking pipes could signal that air is trapped in the plumbing, or it could mean the pipes are failing, according to Hippo. Rattling HVAC systems might be a sign of something loose or that the system is on the brink of failure, Hippo notes. You may need to turn off your HVAC system or water supply immediately to prevent bigger problems until professionals can further inspect it.
• Popping: Popping or cracking sounds inside a home are commonly heard when the temperature changes outside. As the air gets cooler and less humid, pipes in the home may rattle. These noises may be temporary, but if the noise occurs frequently or is particularly loud, homeowners may want to have a professional investigate the sounds further, Hippo warns.

What homeowners fear

Sounds can indicate a potential problem in a home, but so can certain smells. Sixty-three percent of homeowners say they’d rather deal with a ghost haunting their attic than a burst pipe in their ceiling, according to Hippo’s homeowner survey. The top “undetected issues” that most haunt homeowners, according to the survey, include:

• 45%: water damage that seems to appear out of nowhere
• 33%: mysterious drafts that are a sign of poor insulation or leaks
• 28%: odd smells coming from hidden spaces that lead to bigger problems, like mold
• 26%: creaking floors that hint at structural issues
• 20%: flickering lights or electrical issues that could be fire hazards

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