Take this far from uncommon experience: You are sitting alone at home, usually in the evening, perhaps even in bed, when suddenly the silence of the night is interrupted by a noise you can not explain. Perhaps you even get out of bed to check it out but can not find the source.

Usually, it is a sound from outside of the home that is muffled and filtered through your walls to sound different, but if it keeps happening, it might be time to get to the bottom of it.

Here are a few tasks to consider in troubleshooting what could be the source of the noises:

01

Look for air leaks

Rustling fabric, creaking doors, or odd whispers in the night might make it sound like there is something more ominous in the halls. However, it is more likely an air leak coming from the windows or doors. Even if they are closed, air leaks can form. Detecting them can uncover a sign that you might need to seal up their edges, or even invest in a replacement window or door.

02

Drips and drops

Your plumbing can make a lot of noise, especially in the winter, when hot water or flushed pipes can cause the pipes to become active and to slightly expand or contract, which can cause rattling noises. If you hear anything that sounds like water drips or drops, inspect every faucet and visible pipe you can. Undetected leaks can make the home a lot less hygienic by spreading mold, and may even cause water damage.

03

Screeches and CLAWING

Does it sound like something is clawing inside your walls? Or perhaps you hear an odd screeching moving from one side to the other? You might have a home intruder, but likely of the miniature kind. Pest control teams can help you look at the signs of a mouse problem or other animals—be it wood shavings, droppings, or otherwise. From there, it is all about learning how to get the pests out of the walls and away from the home.

04

Your home is settling

The sounds of the home settling might sound like a convenient explanation for someone who does not want to inspect those noises any further, but it may very well be the answer. Weight distribution changes throughout the materials of the home over time causes them to shift, ever so slightly. This can cause settling noises. Unless they are coming directly from your foundation, they are likely nothing to worry about.

05

The Hum

In many urban and city environments across the world, there have been widespread reports of people having heard a low, ongoing hum that is steadily ongoing throughout the night. It can sound like a car has parked nearby, even if you can not see it.

This unknown phenomenon experienced by 2% of people worldwide is often chalked up to a heating or electric device, such as a transformer, that is on in the neighborhood, which you are simply more sensitive to than other people. No one who has heard The Hum has reported any major catastrophe following it, however, so it is safe to assume it is harmless in this context.

Takeaways

Rarely are those odd little sounds at night something to be truly worried about, but they can be a symptom of an issue you would rather fix than not. Troubleshooting and getting to the bottom of it right away will help you prevent damage or stop damage that is already occurring. Resolve your worries by taking care of issues immediately so that you can rest in knowing your home is well-maintained and free from liabilities that could affect you down the line.