Few things can be disconcerting as random unidentified noises in your home, particularly if they’re coming from your roof. Of course, the stress this causes gets turned up another notch if you have recently purchased your home. All the noises, large or small, become quiet questions in the middle of the night asking you if you’ve made a mistake with your choice of home. The high cost of a new roof is likely running through your head and you’re wondering how bad it could possibly be.

The good news is, there are perfectly normal reasons for your roof to make noise.

Many of the noises you hear are the result of thermal changes in your roof. An asphalt shingle roof can get up to 170 degrees on a hot summer day, as the dark shingles absorb and store heat. This heat gets transferred to the decking and frame of your home. Once night comes, the house then cools. The metal and wood in your home’s construction expands and contracts over time as these temperature swings come and go. Your home should be constructed to take this into consideration. There will be gaps and expansion joints built into your home to allow for this shifting without causing damage.

Older homes are notorious for unidentified sounds.  Popping and creaking noises from your roof and floors can be expected and are likely due to the age of the home. Your roof may also be more subject to the most extreme days of summer and winter, making more of those noises from temperature change that we mentioned above.

When you first turn on your heating for the winter or your air conditioning system in the summer, you may hear knocking sounds.  These are typically the result of a similar thermal reaction in your air ducts in throughout the home.

Not all sounds are innocuous.  For example, if you hear scratching sounds from your roof, that indicates your home may be infested by rodents like mice or chipmunks, which could cause damage over time. Unless you are entirely certain of the reason for the noises your roof makes, have a professional inspect the roof for any potential issues. We’ll verify the condition of your decking, underlayment, and shingles, as well as identify for your any issues that may be connected to these components. Contact us for a free inspection and have peace of mind!