Knocking Noise in House Walls | Why Does It Happen? (Solutions)

It could be for various reasons if you’ve ever wondered why your house seems to make knocking and tapping noises every now and then. Any movement inside the walls can drive home vibrations picked up on the other side. This article will answer why there is a knocking noise in house walls, so you can find out what might constitute this type of noise and what steps you can take to investigate and eliminate it. The first step, of course, is determining where that noise is coming from. Do your best to listen for it without pulling any strings or digging up any floors.

knocking noise in house walls

Knocking Noise in House Walls | Reasons and Solutions

If you hear any noises or vibrations in your walls (or anywhere else), there might be a cause. Here is an example of something that might produce a knocking noise in house walls: Perhaps it is an old loose board that produces a loud snapping sound. This can be remedied by tightening the wood or replacing the board if it is loose enough to reproduce the sound. Another cause could be a window or door in your wall that has been accidentally knocked out and needs to be replaced. To get rid of the noise, you need to figure out where it is coming from and then take steps to remedy it. You can find out exactly where the noise is coming from by removing the wallboard that might be causing it.

House Walls

These knocking noises are usually because of the insulation, the age of the building, and/or the location within. Some other factors for knocking noise on house walls are as follows.

Absence of Insulation- Unlike walls that have been newly installed in a building, older buildings often have problems with their exterior walls as well. This is because old buildings do not have as much insulation to protect them from outside noises like wind and rain. You can fix this minor problem by adding more insulation to the walls. One of the best ways to combat noise is by installing more insulation. You can reduce wind noise and eliminate some water leakage by installing more insulation. The best types of insulation for this purpose are rigid and fiberglass. These are both very effective at blocking out noises from the outside world. 

Old Age- Old age is another reason walls can make knocking noises in your home. As a wall age, it loses some of its ability to absorb sound. This is why you may hear more and more noises each year that your house stands. If your home is older than 10 years, then it’s time for you to consider having your walls fixed. Doing this can keep noises from entering your home and disturbing you while trying to sleep or rest from the day’s hard work. 

old house walls

Location- The location of your walls is an essential factor in noise. These walls tend to make noise because they face either the outside or the inside of your home. This means that your walls are in direct contact with the wind and rain or snow when they face outside your home. This is why these kinds of noises often occur early in the morning and late at night, when there’s less interference from other sources, like people.

Air Leakage- If there is a massive gap between the vibration damping wall material and the studs or floor, air leakage could occur in the wall and cause knocking noise. Any movement or action within your walls will cause the air to move. The air will push and pull in all directions, including towards the other side of your wall where you live. A hollow area inside the wall can amplify these sounds and carry them toward your side of the house. 

Loose Electrical Wires- Loose or disconnected wires can cause knocking noise in the wall cavity. Sometimes, wires can also rub against other objects and make noise.

Loose Electrical Wires

Mechanical Vibration- Mechanical vibrations from an air conditioning unit or an old washing machine can create noise from walls. This is especially true if the device is mounted on a wall. 

If you’re experiencing a knocking noise coming from your home’s walls, you may want to consider some of the more well-known noise insulation techniques. Keep reading for a breakdown of how these types of soundproofing methods work.

Noise insulation techniques

Passive insulation: This involves creating a space between the source of the noise and where it is capable of being heard. This type of insulation results in natural sound absorption. Barriers made from materials like stone, concrete, or brick, plenty of heavy furniture, thick curtains, and carpeted floors can all help stop even the noisiest window air conditioner’s (WAC) motor from being heard inside a room.

Active insulation: This involves generating soundproofing in walls. Despite sounding drastic and out of place with today’s trend of technological advancements, one of the more expensive and time-consuming choices is to have a soundproof wall installed in your home or business. Alternatively, you can choose to use a product called the acoustic ceiling, which uses a ‘sound absorptive’ material to create a noise-reducing effect within a room. 

FAQs | Knocking Noise in House Walls

Why does my wall knock at night?

This problem may stem from noises on your roof or underneath your house. It could be water dripping near your foundation, or pipes banging in the walls. If you notice a lot of moisture under your house, it may be due to a leaky pipe or foundation repair issues. You can use some natural items to help you pinpoint the source of this problem.

Does the wall knock because of water pressure?

Water pressure causes water to at least appear to be knocking against a wall. The concept of “water pressure” is one of the primary fundamentals to understand when attempting to troubleshoot problems with plumbing fixtures. It’s vital for you, as a homeowner, to know how your home water system operates and what can cause it to fail.

Also read: Room Suddenly Smells Like Garlic | How to Get rid of it?

Conclusion | Knocking Noise in House Walls

It seems like every person has experienced a knocking noise in the house walls. It’s an annoying, unfamiliar noise, often caused by something human-made such as loose pipes. Knocking noises indicate a significant danger to your health if you don’t get rid of them quickly! Therefore, you must know how to fix that knocking noise before it gets out of hand and damages other parts of your home.

The knocking noise occurs when one side of the wall is longer than the other. Because of this, the longer side moves in relation to the shorter one. The sound of this movement is what you hear as a knocking noise. The problem might be due to pipes installed tightly near a wall. As they move concerning it, they may make a clanking sound that sounds like a knocking noise. Insulating houses can eliminate this noise with extra insulation or by adding an anchor at the base of these pipes. This will prevent their movement. But it can also indicate that you have a problem inside your wall or within the construction itself. Extra gaps or sounds within your wall could result from several things, including poor construction and lousy material choices on your part.

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