Knocking, Tapping and Creaking – Why Plumbing Problems are Giving us the Creeps

Research from Aspect, a UK property maintenance firm that provides 24-hour plumbers across London, found that 64% of people feel unsettled in their homes due to issues such as unexplained tapping, knocking and creaking. In most cases, these sounds are due to plumbing problems, such as water pressure that’s too high, or loose fittings and fastenings that allow pipes to rattle and knock together.

Such problems are typical of the winter months, as explained by Nick Beazley, Operations Director at Aspect.

“The nights are drawing in, and the weather’s getting colder. This can highlight specific problems around the home, especially as households start using their heating more frequently. And when you add the unsettling tapping, knocking and creaking sounds, cold spots and strange smells, it’s no wonder a lot of people are complaining of ‘spooky’ phenomena making them unsettled.

Fortunately, such noises are rarely down to major complications.

Getting in the Right Professional is the First Step to Solving Creepy Noises in Your Home

Knocking & Tapping Noises. Although they can happen anywhere in your home, they’re particularly noticeable in bedrooms at night before going to sleep. A common reason for knocking or tapping is due to high water pressure causing pipes to knock together or against fixings. To sort the problem, ask your plumber to take a look and see the extent of the work needed.

Cold Spots

Is a room at home colder than usual? It could be due to a radiator that needs ‘bleeding’. This is a simple task to do yourself, using a cheap radiator key from a DIY store. Fitting draught excluders to doors and windows, or sealing gaps in skirting boards also prevent draughts. Bathrooms are an unusually cold area of the home, as explained by Nick Beazley, Operations Director at Aspect. “Bathrooms suffer from cold because people step out of a hot bath or shower and are instantly more aware of draughts, possibly from ventilation that’s in place to help reduce condensation and prevent damp conditions for mould to grow. Draught excluders can be fitted to ventilation ducts. Don’t be tempted to block ventilation and prevent air exchange.”

Bad Smells

If you notice strange smells in your property, working out the type of odour can reveal a lot about the problem. Fishy smells can be an indication of insulation melting on electrical wiring, while a whiff of ammonia could be a sign you’ve got vermin under your floorboards. Another source of bad smells in the home is blocked drains as explained by operations director at Aspect, Nick Beazley. “Drainage issues can cause some pretty nasty odours. Blocked sinks and blocked soil pipes, in particular, can lead to some pretty strong, bad smells.” If you think a blocked drain is the issue, try using a plunger to unblock it. Otherwise, leave the job to a plumber who has all the equipment to do a thorough job that will leave your drains running clear.