We respect your inbox. We only send interesting and relevant emails.
October on the Seacoast is made for old-house stories. Many homes in Portsmouth, Kittery, York, and Exeter have been creaking for a century or more, and the sounds usually have ordinary explanations.
Before tracking one down, note when it happens, where it seems to come from, and what else was going on.
Wood framing, plank floors, and plaster expand and contract with temperature and humidity. Older homes with wide pine floors and timber framing tend to be especially talkative, and heating season dries the air further. New cracks in plaster, sticking doors, or soft floors are worth a professional look.
A bang after the washer shuts off is often water hammer. Homes with wells will hear the pump and pressure tank cycle. Running water when nothing is on deserves attention, and a frequently cycling well pump can point to a leak.
Oil burners rumble as they fire. Boilers and radiators can gurgle or knock when air is trapped. Mini-split heat pumps whoosh and hiss in defrost mode. New grinding, squealing, a loud puff at startup, or a strong smell is worth a call to a heating technician. If you smell gas or propane, leave and call your supplier or 911 from outside. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone out.
Coastal wind can whistle through gaps around old windows, doors, and attic hatches. Shifted storm windows, loose shutters, and branches on the roof are common rattlers.
Mice move indoors as it gets cold and are most active at night. Squirrels are daytime visitors. Old stone foundations and attic gaps give them plenty of ways in. A licensed wildlife professional can identify what's there and follow state rules.
Describe the sound, where and when you hear it, and what else is running. "The boiler makes a loud puff every time it starts" tells a technician exactly what to check.
If you'd like a recommendation for a local plumber, heating technician, or wildlife professional, just ask. We're happy to share names we know.
Why do old New England houses creak so much?
Wood framing and floors move with seasonal temperature and humidity changes.
Is it normal for an oil burner to rumble?
Yes, at ignition. A loud puff or new noise is worth a service call.
Why does my well pump run when no water is on?
It could point to a leak or pressure tank issue.
Why do storm windows rattle?
They may have shifted or loosened.
What should I do if a carbon monoxide alarm sounds?
Get everyone outside and call for help.
Get in touch. We'll guide you through every step of the process to ensure a smooth transaction that meets your goals.
We respect your inbox. We only send interesting and relevant emails.
