Sounds in walls - what is it?

R M

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Mystery sound in condo walls.

Started the night a roofing crew was here. Has gone on 3 days

First noise we had was a clear water drip and some leaking bc it rained one night while the roofers has tarp on roof.

sound file can be played here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1frb4PlNWoMG1GW1ilXVETVtbiKmNOJKK/view?usp=drivesdk

This clicking/ tapping / (chewing? clawing?) gnawing?) noise started the next day and has been three days running

here are some observations

- can hear louder at sometimes than other

it’s a steady and rhytmic pace that is consistent But it does stop and start

- it’s worse at night

- as an example of the intervals it was loud at 10:30 pm then 3 am and 5-6 am ...when I say loud it’s about the level of noise as an old fashioned winding oven timer, slightly muffled but just enough to notice it (and make you wonder if you’re hearing things!) if other things are noisy you might not hear it

- its Louder when I put phone next to a hole in the wall that was made while they are fixing kitchen

- I can hear it most above a kitchen and also a small bathroom, sometimes sounds above me (but the bathroom is not next to the kitchen)

- it is not audible from the outside of the condo

at first when hear it first time I thought it was some rapidly dripping water but has been steady

the condo above me has been “winterized” until spring so I’m not sure if or what water they may have going to it

i see no sign of water

the nocturnal timing of when it gets worse suggests critter

there is no other odd noises like scuffling around or pounding or other different types of sounds ,

it’s always the same rhythmic click

even investigated if it was the sound of a utility meter clicking or something but doesn’t make any sound near the readers

wondering if the night the roof was tarped animals found their way in and are trying to get out?

what could it be? if critter which one makes this sound ??

Featured Answer

HU-955941711

4 years ago

It sounds like a clock to me. A wind-up alarm clock to be more specific.

Comments (10)

dianestjohn
4 years ago
I agree, it sounds like some mechanical or electronic device or almost like a drum program on a phone or something. If it’s always the same rhythm maybe a contractor dropped a phone into the space? Does it really stop and start or is it just more audible at certain times of the day?
R M thanked dianestjohn
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Izzy Mn
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Could it be a attic space exhaust fan, some are powered. Maybe the roofers disturbed/bent fan and it's not running well. It sounds too rhythmic to be animal, but not sure.
R M thanked Izzy Mn
R M
Original Author
4 years ago
I agree on the rhythm

there is no resident above or to the sides of the unit, those units are used only seasonally

so isn’t any human variable if clocks or drums

but given the disturbance started after roofers were here I do think it could be from some fan as suggested
R M
Original Author
4 years ago
To the question in if it really stops and starts

it fades in/out even when standing in the same place listening

and where the sound comes from in a more pronouncedplace , like sometimes clearer in kitchen wall va bathroom ceiling

I can’t seem to hear it running non-stop so can’t figure out the trigger
ci_lantro
4 years ago
I can hear it most above a kitchen and also a small bathroom,

Possibly some exterior noise nearby that is traveling down plumbing vents? More audible at night when noise level is lower? Variance due to wind/ wind direction? Bathroom vent somewhere in the building w/ automatic humidistat?
R M thanked ci_lantro
cat_ky
4 years ago
Doesnt sound like critters to me. It does sound like its a clock or a radio that is set to come on at a certain time. You may be hearing it more because of the hole in the wall, you mentioned, or has that been closed in. The last occupant, might have set something to come on at a certain time, and it was never noticed, so wasnt shut off?
R M thanked cat_ky
Stax
4 years ago
Contact the absent neighbor to gain access to his empty condo... likely he'll be interested in the issue.
R M
Original Author
4 years ago
Yep already on it. Permission to enter and waiting for prop mgr to bring key For second visit. He was here yesterday and we couldn’t find anything. asked me to observe . Heard it all night again and thought I’d get ideas from here!! Might be the vents with something trapped. Also going to look for any old clocks upstairs.

on the suggestion of hearing it now bc of the wall, I like your thinking wondered that too, but the hole in the cabinet repair has been there for weeks also the noise is in another place too not near the hole. The timing of this synced with roof repairs . I think it might be something in a vent....but what?? And how to get it out ???

it’s a mystery!
Stax
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I had a job involving noise reduction in my youth. I actually wore a Stethoscope for a couple of years to better hear unknown sources. Get a cheapo - either medical or automotive sources.

$5 Cheapo Stethoscope

PS The mechanism of sound transmission in structures can be very difficult to understand. I "chased" a rattle for nearly three years before it was localized - and it was not even near where I had tentatively concluded it was!

Sounds in walls - what is it?

HU-955941711

Comments (10)

dianestjohn

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Sounds in walls - what is it?

HU-955941711

Comments (10)

dianestjohn

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