What’s Causing Your Spooky House Noises

The thumping, banging and buzzing you hear coming from your home isn’t your house trying to scare you. It’s trying to tell you something! Don’t call Ghost Busters! Listen to your creepy house noises and what they may mean.

Basement banshee or HVAC issues?

Most likely your HVAC system is hard at work this time of year dealing with the North Carolina swing in temperatures. While some sounds of the system are normal, other noises from your HVAC system may need some more immediate attention.

• Knocking: Either this is a spirit taking a clogging class or your HVAC system may have a bent fan blade. Unbalanced blades can make a rhythmic banging sound. Call a professional to make the repair.
• Whooshing: Ghosts are living in your duct system or your filters are dirty. Try changing out dirty HVAC filters before hiring an exorcist.
• High pitched squeaking: Sounds eerie, but likely a problem with a lack of lubrication on your HVAC motor. Now is a great time to get your heating and cooling system maintained so a small fix doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

In the dark about electrical problems?

Electrical issues are nothing to hide from. While appliances often will make a low buzz or humming sounds when operating, a noticeable change may mean you have an issue.

• Buzzing: A louder-than-usual buzzing sounds can indicate a problem with an electrical socket. An electrician should treat the source of the problem.
• Humming: Your electrical panel is the control center for your home’s electrical system. Humming noise from behind the panel can be a sign there is an issue with one or more of the breakers. Get a professional electrician to inspect for an issue.

A plumbing poltergeist?

Drains and snakes sound like scary things, but they are all part of your plumbing system! When the system has an issue, it can make some creepy sounds!

• Banging: It’s coming from the basement, but don’t be afraid to investigate that banging noise. Most often a banging sound from your water heater indicates a sediment build-up in your tank. Flushing the water heater and cleaning the filter can be an easy fix.
• Running water: Does it sound like water is running but no one is using a faucet or taking a shower. You might have a water main issue. Try turning off the main water valve to see if the sound disappears. If it does, then you discovered a leak that needs professional servicing.
• Rattling: Pipes can rattle when the water pressure is set too high. Check your water pressure with a thread pressure gauge.
• Clunk: Clumsy ghost? Not likely. That clunking sound in your pipes can happen when a faucet is turned off and high water pressure inside the pipes has nowhere to go. Reset the water system’s air chamber by shutting off the main water supply and draining the facets.

If your home is making scary noises, don’t hide from them. Call the Blanton’s Air, Plumbing, and Electrical professionals who can diagnose and fix them. We aren’t scared of your home’s plumbing, HVAC and electrical issues.