Old and new, homes can often make some interesting noises that leave homeowners pulling their hair out with frustration.  Frank visited Steven and Chris in studio to help figure out some common noises.  Take a listen to the sounds below to see if you're experiencing any of these in YOUR home.  What are the causes & solutions for each sound? 




Water Hammer
This is when you hear your water pipes banging inside your walls. 
There a couple of causes

1. Suddenly shutting off a valve ie; a faucet, a bath tap etc., and the moving water has nowhere to go but backwards, therefore vibrating the system.
2. Sometimes a faulty faucet valve causes it as well. There are built-in air chambers in a houses plumbing system to prevent "water hammer", but sometimes they get filled with water.

SOLUTION: Shut off your main valve coming into your home, open up all your taps and in particular the ones at the lowest level(basement) and allow the system to drain for a few minutes. Then after a few minutes open your main valve again, and the air chambers will fill with air once again to continue doing their job.




Toilet "Fog Horn"
This is when a toilet tank is filling just after flushing, the shut off valve itself is worn, and the water blowing by the valve creates a "fog horn" sound.

SOLUTION:  Replace the valve (Inexpensive)




Squeaky furnace belt
This is when a belt becomes worn or stretched, so the belt is actually slipping.

SOLUTION: Replace belt or adjust tension to snug up the belt.




Duct work
Sometimes when a forced air furnace fires up, the walls of the duct sucks in giving a drum effect.

SOLUTION: Tape some foam or insulation to the problem area using Duct tape.