Replies

1. 
   jrnbj | Oct 07, 2005 04:17am | #1

   well, hell, man, you've got ghosts....you're in the wrong chat room...mosey on over to Fine Excorscisims...LOL

1. 
   TRIGGER | Oct 07, 2005 04:22am | #4

   Dang, you beat me to it! On the gost thing.

2. 
   WayneL5 | Oct 07, 2005 04:19am | #2

   Twenty years old is a new house.  One hundred twenty years old is an old house.

1. 
   MNScott | Oct 07, 2005 03:45pm | #13

   We looked at moving to Austin a couple years ago. 20 year old houses are "extremely" old there. Our realtor asked us old or new, and her idea of "old" was anything more than 5 years. Being from the midwest we wanted something 70-120 years old. We found out they don't exist unless you want an old mansion. We didn't move.

3. 
   TRIGGER | Oct 07, 2005 04:19am | #3

   Is the temperature oh humidity fluctuating? Causing movement in the wood framing? Maby alot of hurricane type of moisture followed by dry and hot conditions.

   Or..... Of corpse there could be some sort of demonic attic possession!

1. 
   matti | Oct 07, 2005 04:40am | #6

   Yes, I noticed that during the winter the noise is less frequent, but still there.... It does not matter whether it is humid outside or not, the banging noise occurs... I have invited an exorsist and he did his ceremony, but to no avail....

1. 
   Danno | Oct 09, 2005 03:31am | #24

   Mark mentioned metal roof, but I was thinking more of aluminum soffit--expands when it gets hot and buckles making a banging noise--like a heat duct. Anyway, that's what I thought of as soon as I read your post.

4. 
   piko | Oct 07, 2005 04:27am | #5

   I have the same "problem", although it's nothing more than movement in the structure. Things like temp and humidity, the sun going behind a cloud - and even the direction of the wind - causes shifts in the exterior claddings.

    

   And, yes we did have a ghost, but even since he moved on when we asked him we still get the noises!

   All the best...

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

    

5. 
   Mark | Oct 07, 2005 05:02am | #7

   A lot of houses in your area have metal roofs.  Is your's one of those?  if so, my diagnosis is it's just noise from the metal expanding and contracting and "moving" on the rafters.  If that is not the case.... do you live near the south Congress Bridge?  it could be bats.  Lots of bats... 

   " If I were a carpenter"
1. 
   matti | Oct 07, 2005 05:16am | #8

   it is a regular shingle roof -- in the great hills area -- no bats...

1. 
   piko | Oct 07, 2005 08:19am | #10

   Just read that if vinyl siding is nailed too tightly it squeaks as it moves...All the best...

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

    

2. 
   Mark | Oct 07, 2005 11:11pm | #14

   I do like the hill country.   The Oasis is one of my favorite places to dine when we're in town

   My guess is still expansion 'n contraction.  What type of siding do you have?  Is there ample roof ventilation?   that is another thing they do a lot of in you're area.  Instead of installing ridge venting they will just put a couple of "turtle back"  vents on the roof and think it's sufficient.   or one of those electric fan vents.  (big fire hazard imhop)" If I were a carpenter"

1. 
   matti | Oct 07, 2005 11:53pm | #15

   Thanks Mark,

   I plan to get into the attick this winter (couldn't bear the heat in the summer days..) and check the issue in more details. Checking the perimeter from the outside it seems that there is minimal ventilation. Are you suggesting that adding some ventilation points in the attick might help? THe house is made of bricks w/ shingle roof. Appreciate your feedback.

6. 
   timby | Oct 07, 2005 08:16am | #9

   My house in North Texas does the same thing. However, I notice it more when we've had a dry spell. I think it has to do with the ground shrinking under the foundation. Since a lot of homes in my area were built on soil that contains a lot of clay, it  causes the homes to moves a lot . I don't seem to get the same problems when we have a wet summer.

   Just my 2 cents.....

    

7. 
   msm | Oct 07, 2005 08:31am | #11

   Attic banging noise in an old house?
   horny ghosts.

   agreed, 20 years is not old.

1. 
   zendo | Oct 07, 2005 02:06pm | #12

   nice to see you, good one!

    

   Matti,

   Yes my cedar cracks and pops on the sun side, it could drive me nuts, seeing that my head is on that wall.

   I wouldnt figure its the ground... thats a stretch, but its very possible that the rafters, and sheathing are shifting as they expand and contract. 

   I think that your guru didnt work.  He seems like a fake.... call the Vatican. 

   -zen

8. 
   BruceCM | Oct 08, 2005 02:56am | #16

   Small correction to a couple of responders.

   A 20 year old house is not saying the house is old...only that its 20 years old. Could say the same thing with a 3 year old house.

   Don't let your DW watch the Exorcist....else you'll be living in a motel!

   BruceM

1. 
   zendo | Oct 08, 2005 03:58am | #17

   Matti,

   Yes, with the ventilation.  By keeping the interior air more consistent with the exterior, the changes wont be so severe,  In addition, it allows for less risk of moisture build up.

   Plenty of ventilation is the best policy.

   -zen

1. 
   matti | Oct 08, 2005 04:53am | #18

   Thanks Zen. I will look into doing just that. Can you recommend and information source on designing for adequate attic ventilation?

1. 
   custombuilt | Oct 08, 2005 07:14pm | #19

   That's the Boogie Man!

    

2. 
   zendo | Oct 09, 2005 01:59am | #20

   Matt,

   Usually I just work on look and feel, but you are in the place you need to be.  Start a new post in the Energy, Heating section, and all the HVAC and moisture guys will come out of the woodwork.  

   Of all the books you could look at, these guys will save you a lot of time, you have to decide on whats right for you, but in most cases a lot of the ones that answer posts about certain topics have read most of whats available or have serious experience.

   I dont feel qualified in the area enough to nail down what your particular needs are. 

   -zen

1. 
   matti | Oct 09, 2005 02:38am | #22

   Thanks to all of you guys. I will make a work plan (which will include a spiritual exorcist, again...) and will tackle it this winter. Your various points were fanny and educational, I appreciated them all.

   Matti

9. 
   Hiker | Oct 09, 2005 02:12am | #21

   Matti,

   I live and work in Austin.  Have you checked to see if you have any critters up there.  The squirrels in the Great Hills area do a heck of a job of getting in the attics.  The other possibility is rats.  Sorry I bring that up, but on three projects, a broken or disconnected vent pipe in the attic was the route for rats to enter the attic from the city sewer system.  In one house we pulled out 15 rats after the owner spent countless dollars on exterminators who kept putting up wire mesh on all exterior openings and claiming the problem was fixed.   We fixed the vent pipe, set the traps, disinfected the attic, reinsulated and no more problems.  We only do this for really good clients.  Check all your plumbing vents, gable vents and/or roof vents.

   Good Luck

   Bruce

1. 
   zendo | Oct 09, 2005 03:01am | #23

   Hiker,

   The last time I did that there were scattergun holes everywhere.  It took forever to fix the new problem.

   -zen

1. 
   Danno | Oct 09, 2005 03:35am | #25

   Guy where I used to live shot at a rat inside his house and hit the gas line to the stove--can't remember if he blew up the kitchen or just started a fire, but it made the papers. I think the rat survived. (Natch)

1. 
   hurnik | Oct 09, 2005 05:13am | #26

   I know what you're talking about with the "banging". I had my 2nd story in my cape, expanded with a shed dormer on the back (I'm the 2nd owner, and it's over 50 years old).So, now that someone is living up there, it's heated, and whatnot, plus with "new" construction. The winters cause all sorts of banging/popping noises.I'm assuming due to two things:a) extreme cold (it's always windier on the 2nd floor for some reason and we had a VERY cold winter that year. -30 and all that)b) humidity levels. Due to the low temps, I wasn't able to keep the humidity in the house to the "same" as it was in the summer (about 40% max and the windows start sweating). The drier it is, the more the wood seems to "pop".Nothing's caved in yet (haha), but I had a few that I could swear, vibrated the floor.

2. 
   Hiker | Oct 09, 2005 03:00pm | #27

   I wish I had thought about the use of small caliber rifle.  At least as backup when we were cleaning out the darn attic.  We had two face to face confrontations with the not so little buggers.  I know the rat was the more confident of the attic occupants based on a the noise and crashing associated with two six foot tall 200# guys scrambling away in terror.

   We'll keep that in mind next time. I wonder if there is PAT for such a purpose so I would  not have to deal with my GL insurance.

    

1. 
   zendo | Oct 09, 2005 03:16pm | #28

   In an attic, a .22 pistol with a laser would be great.  CB ammunition (minimal powder well below the sound barrier)... but watch that if you use an auto, you may have to manually cycle it, there isnt enough gas expulsion to throw the slide.  Oh, and make sure your laser is sighted to the ammo you are using.  CBs are very quiet but drop quickly, Remington Subsonic are in between CBs and Hi Velocity.

   And always remember the cardinal rules.  If you dont have a head shot, you dont have a shot.  1 shot, 1 kill, and inspect for improvement. 

   -zen

    

10. 
    4Lorn1 | Oct 10, 2005 03:15am | #29

    I guess you didn't get the news: Modern termites use tiny nailguns to construct their nests.