Tapping noise in ceiling!

Submitted by geramanj95 t3_z8h1gg in DIY

Hi all, hoping someone here can help me with this issue. As the title suggests I’m having issues with a tapping noise in my bedroom ceiling that recently started happening - it’s driving me crazy!

For background:

I live on the second floor of a 6 unit condo building (2 units per floor, 3 floors)

Bought the property in April this year and tapping noise started ~2/3 weeks ago

Tapping noise is sporadic - happens at random time during day/night and also non equal intervals (video link here)

Unit above me is currently empty, renters moved out a few weeks before tapping started

I thought it may have been due to HVAC pipes heating up and cooling but no heat is on currently and it is tapping (on and off) as I type this.

What other info is helpful?

Please help my gf and I stay sane!

Apologies for bad format as I’m on mobile.

4

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

updraft21 t1_iybngux wrote

Had the same sound in 2 previous units, both times it was the same thing. Turned out that the drain pipes for units above me (didn’t have to be the unit directly above me as drain pipes don’t always follow precisely per-unit) were expanding any time hot water was ran, and the popping was those pipes pushing against the wood framing they were ran through. When those are installed there’s supposed to be enough of a gap to allow for that expansion, but I’ve been told as wood ages/dries/shrinks sometimes that initial gap isn’t enough, so you’re hearing that wood basically crack. Both times when they opened the ceiling and adjacent wall there was NO space, and had become so tight they had to cut the pipe out in pieces so they could enlarge the hole.

I’m in my 3rd place now and guess what? Yep, same thing, and only when it’s warm water that I or my neighbor (adjacent units in 2-story townhomes) run. In this case it’s above my kitchen so it doesn’t bother me like the last 2 so I’m leaving it alone.

10

geramanj95 OP t1_iybptb1 wrote

3 in a row?! Oh man. 4th times a charm right? Haha but thank you for the idea for potential cause. Any recommendations on how to diagnose without having to cut open the ceiling? Building is roughly 15 years old, do you think could this happen in that time span? Would love to not have to shell out more $$$ as I recently had to replace the dishwasher and furnace replacement prob isn’t too far off. //: don’t feel confident enough to rip out ceiling drywall myself either

The joys of home ownership!

4

updraft21 t1_iybqa87 wrote

No idea on any age correlation but the sound was identical and took months to isolate the first time. Once I’d heard it I knew exactly what it was by the 2nd time.

The LL and I just had to work with other tenants. Luckily they were all accommodating, let me have one person in their unit running hot water while someone else waited downstairs in mine listening. We found it within the firs couple units both times.

1

geramanj95 OP t1_iybr550 wrote

Appreciate the advice! I’ll have to see if I can get in the other units and try something similar. Fingers crossed it’s something simpler

1

justifun t1_iyc1pgz wrote

Does it sound like this? https://youtu.be/2ktDPAvVRaA

1

updraft21 t1_iydjxt8 wrote

That’s exactly what mine sounded like. Suppose it’s entirely possible with any temp mine is just always more prevalent with warm water. But suppose if the pipe passes through an area that’s not well insulated in cold areas even “cool” water could cause at least some expansion.

1

Psych76 t1_iydhxuk wrote

Oh man that’s good info! I have this same thing whenever running hot water in one bathroom, this gives some good context for what to check for, thanks!

2

initium2018 t1_iybl7a2 wrote

Have you tried calling the owner of the apartment? Something similar happened to my friend and 3 weeks later they discovered that the tenants abandoned their pet cat.

8

geramanj95 OP t1_iybm1o2 wrote

Wow! Hmm, they have been in the apartment since the tenants left. I’ve brought it up to them and they said they have no idea what it could be but they would listen for it from their unit when they are back in town. Problem is they live in another state so it may be a little while 😣

4

initium2018 t1_iybm936 wrote

Hopefully it is not that ....I mean my friend did contact the previous tenants but they never mentioned the cat....then a neighbor saw the cat from a window and called the fire department!.

3

geramanj95 OP t1_iybmueh wrote

Poor little kitty, I can’t believe someone would abandon their pet!

3

DiverseMazer t1_iybt9lv wrote

It happens more often than people think… When a person is arrested or something else happens to them, it’s not necessarily the business of the police to check for pets, so they’re often left to starvation and/or dehydration, extreme depression, ultimately a long sad death.

Also, pet animals can make very different sounds depending on their ability to signal need of care.

Please check with SPCA and local animal welfare groups.

2

DiverseMazer t1_iybskaf wrote

Look if there’s a possibility that a pet was left behind, is trapped there..please be a great human and investigate.

3

1feralengineer t1_iybldrc wrote

Does the sound correspond to the weather (especially wind)?

3

geramanj95 OP t1_iybmfzx wrote

I haven’t noticed any noticeable correlation with the noise and the wind outside yet but this could be a good lead. Tomorrow when it’s not dark out I’ll stand outside and have my gf for the noise when the wind is picking up.

It has gotten considerably colder/windier here in the northern Midwest though.

2

initium2018 t1_iybml8w wrote

Could be a Syphon for heating too maybe a little clogged

2

geramanj95 OP t1_iybmwrq wrote

Do you mean something like a air vent to the outside?

1

initium2018 t1_iybn4k8 wrote

More like a pipe with corrosion perhaps some condensation happens with the changes in temperature and the air or liquid inside makes a movement hence the noise. Just a wild guess

1

1feralengineer t1_iybnkc2 wrote

There could be something loose on the siding outside. Also, the backdraft flapper on a vent fan (kitchen or bathroom or even the dryer vent) can be affected by the wind (you can try turning the fan or dryer on when you hear the banging and see if that changes it). And rain can also find its way to dripping onto metal flashing/eves/vents.

1

geramanj95 OP t1_iyboux8 wrote

Building is brick outside but possible it’s a vent van. I’ll have to take a look at vent placement (may have to rent extremely tall ladder from HD to check out vents in detail ugh). But I will try turning on dryer or fan next time I hear it!

1

therealhood t1_iybpas1 wrote

It's a GA GA GA ghost!

1

calcul8r t1_iybr4l9 wrote

If it happens once upon a midnight dreary, it could be a raven.

1

geramanj95 OP t1_iybrdni wrote

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping 😕💯

1

Flowchart83 t1_iycz44s wrote

I have this in one of my vents where something is lifting and lowering inside, causing the tapping. Only happens when the furnace is on.

1