20
votes
Noises from attic - Should I be concerned?
You should always be concerned about a new noise in your house. Examine the outside upper story soffit framing to see if any soffits are missing or broken. If so, there's a good chance something's ...
- 78.7k
15
votes
Noisy hot water tap after outage
The problem seems to have been caused by air trapped in the branch leading to the dishwasher--which is indeed next to the one feeding the kitchen sink.
Running a short dishwasher cycle to bleed air ...
- 27.5k
10
votes
Accepted
New framing occasionally makes loud popping sound when walking upstairs
Sounds like there's typical flex in the floor, and one of the nails up into the joists is slipping. Try removing the nails into the joists in that area. If that's the problem, you can do a couple ...
- 129k
9
votes
Cover & sound-suppression for doorbell transformer in utility closet
The best way to eliminate transformer noise is to purchase a quality transformer.
The noise is because the laminated core is heavily loaded or overloaded and the plates are actually vibrating because ...
- 102k
9
votes
Random buzzing/humming in bottom corner of Living Room…not electric?
Walk outside and look for bees or wasps going in and out of your wall.
If they are honeybees, it is far preferable to call someone to come and remove them rather than to kill them.
Once they have been ...
- 201k
8
votes
How to make a table fan noisy?
I use my fan for this very reason. 'Fortunately' mine makes enough noise that simply turning it up to high works well enough so I use the fan speed and location within the house to fine tune things to ...
- 5,709
8
votes
Accepted
Trying to identify rhythmic humming in home
I don't know if this is the same issue but I'll mention it because "WUm-WUm-WUm-WUm-WUm" is exactly how I would describe it. When I moved into my first home, I would sometimes hear a low ...
- 2,032
7
votes
What is the safest and quietest practical lightweight electric saw to cut 2x4 to use inside an apartment?
jigsaw.
but really i think you underestimate how easy it is to cut through dimensional lumber with a sharp handsaw.
- 1,173
6
votes
Accepted
Can I clean out a GE dishwasher drain pump?
GE dishwasher won’t drain.
Washer is washing, but doesn’t drain.
During drain cycle you hear a hum, but no water is flowing into the garbage disposal.
Troubleshooting:
Two common problems: 1. Drain ...
- 76
6
votes
Reduce low-frequency noise from nearby rail yard during home renovation and wall (re)construction
After comments:
You won't achieve this in a domestic build, unless you're starting from scratch. You need mass & air-gapping (de-coupling). When you're dealing with such low frequencies & ...
- 10.5k
6
votes
How can reduce swimming pool pump vibration through the ground?
If you can feel the vibration standing next to it that is what's transferring noise into your house. I don't think a barrier will be of much use. My pool pump doesn't make any noticeable vibration. ...
- 1,814
5
votes
Cover & sound-suppression for doorbell transformer in utility closet
First, even though the exposed wires are low-voltage, likely 16 VAC, they should be covered for esthetics (if the transformer were accessible to children, not inside a closet, it is likely required). ...
- 5,856
5
votes
Could a Cadet heater release metallic nanoparticles?
A short or arcing would most likely sound more like a buzzing (but could sound like a hiss, I guess) but would also be accompanied by smoke, a nasty "fried circuitry" ozoneish smell, and ...
- 35.1k
5
votes
Accepted
Hear current draw through AMP?
Tools like a "skillsaw" employ what is called a universal motor. These have brushes and a commutator which creates tiny sparks which generate electrical noise. That noise is getting into ...
- 23.1k
5
votes
We have a chirping sound that is every 30 seconds or so. It isn’t the smoke, CO detectors or animal in the walls
Expanding on my comment, I suggest a couple of binary searches. That basically means splitting the house into two zones, and working out which zone the beeping is in, then splitting that into two ...
- 6,013
4
votes
Help soundproofing already built room
I've attempted to build a reasonably soundproof music room in my basement and can tell you it is a tall order. I built a room when finishing my basement using double drywall with Green Glue, a ...
- 91
4
votes
What kind of professional to call for help with structure-borne noise issues from HVAC
As an engineer having dealt with window and wall mount A/C noise problems for over a half century, I can offer you the most likely cause of the noise transmission and the solution to solve the noise ...
4
votes
What is the safest and quietest practical lightweight electric saw to cut 2x4 to use inside an apartment?
I don't know if this is a legitimate answer, but I'd reconsider a hand saw. Depending on what works well for you, and what you need to do with the saw. I'd try a pull saw, very easy to use and makes ...
- 25k
4
votes
Accepted
How do I find the source of a constant high pitch whistle in bathroom?
Posting as answer:
Did you try shutting off power to your house at the main breaker? That would rule out any AC-mains connected devices.
What about your toilet? The fill valve can make noises like ...
- 23.1k
4
votes
Loud brass valve - how to make it quieter?
A "globe valve" would be more suitable for the task. Both ball valves and gate valves are intended primarily for shutoff - either fully open, or fully closed.
A likely noise source is ...
- 201k
4
votes
Noises from attic - Should I be concerned?
Do woodpeckers live in your vicinity ?
That rattling sound with a few slower bangs after it really sounds like a woodpecker hammering.
The other noises are certainly birds.
That isn't necessarily ...
- 745
3
votes
Accepted
Eliminating ticking noise of pipe in wall
Cut out the 1/2" drywall in the affected area & hot-patch in 1/4" drywall. A gap won't wear out over time, but any & all padding, greasing or spraying will. But yes, even a slight temperature ...
- 10.3k
3
votes
Accepted
Where are the coils in this fridge?
I don't think cleaning the coils is going to solve the clicking noise, that is probably a more involved repair.
Since the coils are not in the compressor compartment shown in your photos (which would ...
- 4,845
3
votes
Accepted
15-year-old fridge goes "clunk" at end of cycle
Sounds like a broken or worn-out "vibration damping mount.the inertia of the internal moving parts at shutdown will cause the hole compressor to rotate up off of the mounting and slam back as ...
3
votes
Accepted
Why does my vinyl siding make noise when it is windy?
Vinyl siding (along with steel) is fastened to your walls with nails that aren't fully set. This allows lateral movement when the siding expands and contracts due to temperature change.
Ideally, the ...
- 129k
3
votes
Frigidaire freezer making intermittent grinding noise
A grinding noise audible in the cold compartment of a freezer or refrigerator is usually caused by ice buildup on the recirculator fan. The ice can be removed by removing the food and leaving the ...
- 14.2k
3
votes
Frigidaire freezer making intermittent grinding noise
I recently purchased a brand new GE refrigerator and it was making a terrible noise about once an hour that sounded like a metal fan hitting something. Turned out it was because the ice maker was in ...
- 31
3
votes
Clicking noise in wall, every 23 seconds
Typically a main stack vent that is rubbing against a structural stud, sill plate, or drywall. I have fixed this ticking/clicking noise in two houses by cutting out the offending piece of 3/4" ...
- 3,724
3
votes
Chirping in Kitchen - Always one minute apart
Even though you do not have a smoke alarm in the kitchen I would suggest that you check for low battery condition in all of your smoke alarms in the home. If you have not done so in more than a year ...
- 64.1k
3
votes
Low Frequency Noise inside my house
Many lift stations now use what are called "VFDs" (Variable Frequency Drives) to control the speed of the pumps. So instead of allowing the tank to fill up to trigger a pump to run full speed until it ...
- 14.8k
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