Well, I see that this is not a very active forum. But let me answer anyway.

I think you need to analyze the noise and the circumstances under which it happens. For example, When you hear your thumping, can it be heard throughout the house, or only in one part of the house? Does it always appear to come from the same part of the roof? [If so, what's located there? Any sort of loose vent? A knocking water pipe?]

Can you hear it when you're outside? If you go outside and then come back inside, do you still hear it from inside the house? [If the noise didn't continue, it might be an animal you'd scared.]

If you stay inside but make a loud noise (for example, turn on the radio or thump a broom handle on the floor), does the pounding stop? [That would appear to be an animal.]

How often does this happen? Is it at the same time of year, in the same weather conditions (temperature, wind, precipitation), on the same day of the week, the same amount of time before sunup?

Do you have trees with branches that touch the house or overhang the roof?

How close are your nearest neighbors? Do they hear anything?

What sort of wildlife is commonly -- or uncommonly -- seen in your neighborhood? (Or if not actually seen, what other other animals is there evidence of?) If your municipality or county has an animal control department, you might call them and ask what they think.

===

I've had something similar -- but most likely not the same as yours.

I've noticed it at night and also in the early morning after the sun's up. Several sharp taps over the course of 2-3 seconds.

It turned out to be a stupid woodpecker trying to peck holes in the metal gutters along the front of the house roof. Actually, now that I come to think of it, this hasn't happened in a year or more, so presumably either the bird has died or it finally learned this particular exercise was a waste of time.

===

Another odd noise was a metallic sort of pounding, maybe at 2 or 3 second intervals. I thought it was some neighbor doing construction in the early morning. Heard it in my bedroom (where the window was open near the corner of the house) but couldn't hear it outdoors.

It turned out to be drops of water falling in the downspout a few feet from the bedroom window (well after the rain had ended). I don't know the peculiar mechanics involved in producing the noise; that downspout disappears underground.

We have that happen too. Its probably a woodpecker or another bird trying to open a seed. Its amazing how loud it can be, even with insulation. I've run out a couple times to see what it was & could only see a bird flying off, not the type. We have Jays, Mockingbirds & Crows, not too many woodpeckers. Tell your hubby you're not going crazy.

It is with great embarrassment that I report back :-) The 'unseen' visitor was in reality my very Obsessive-Compulsive American Eskimo trying to do something with his food dish in the adjoining room and rhythmically tapping the wall. I have no idea why I imagined the sound to be coming from the roof or attic. The reason that the noise always stopped when hubby came to hear it is because the dog came with him when he left the bedroom!

Oh well, I really appreciate those that offered suggestions and explanations :-)

Pam

HAHAHAHA! That is great. I love dogs... they make me laugh.