Sounds Your Roof Makes and How to Handle Them

A strong, healthy roof should be seen and not heard. In fact, it should be doing its job so well that you don’t even think about it in your day-to-day activities. When your roof starts “talking” to you and making noise, there’s a good chance that it’s a sign of trouble. You should always talk to a professional and trusted roofer to get to the root of the problem to find out for sure.

One of the most common noises that homeowners hear coming from their roofs is creaking. Here are a few of the reasons that your roof might be creaking – and what you should do about it:

Your Home is New

Wood has to be seasoned and treated before it is used in construction. It is also important that the wood is given adequate time to dry. If the wood used in your roof supports, walls, ceiling, or attic still has moisture, it may shift and creak as the moisture dries out. You may then start to hear noises coming from above.

New construction can also lead to creaking noises in your roof because the foundation or the ground under it is still settling. If there is too much shifting during this process, it could cause serious problems in the foundation or the construction of the home. Keep an eye on any changes during this process, and make note of how long it lasts.

There are Climate Changes

Changes in the temperature outside can cause materials in your home to expand and contract, which can also cause items to shift slightly. If there has recently been a big change in temperature, such as a cold front moving in after a warm spell, you may start to hear creaking in your roof.

Pay attention to what’s happening with the weather when you hear the creaking. If you are hearing the noises and nothing is happen with the weather that could be causing an issue, you’ll need to call a roofer to understand what’s happening.

Changes in the HVAC System

Weather changes can also impact the HVAC system, which could makes noises that seem like they are coming from the roof. The HVAC system could also expand and contract, which could shift things to make roof components creak.

Keep your HVAC system maintained, and you shouldn’t have any problems here. Just pay attention to the noises and keep note of when they occur and their duration. Your roofer will be able to use that information to determine what’s causing the problem if the noises continue.

There’s a Leak

If you have a leak in your roof or your HVAC system, you usually aren’t going to hear anything. The water will drip slowly, spreading throughout your home and creating serious damage. What will cause the creaking noise is the spread of wood rot. Items will start shifting, and supports will weaken, and that will create a lot of noises.

Allowing leaks to go unchecked for any amount of time can seriously compound damage to your home. That’s why it is so essential to consult with a roofer as soon as you start noticing noises coming from your roof.

Some people dismiss creaks and other noises as the normal sounds of a house, either from settling or other factors. However, creaks coming from your roof could signify serious trouble. Always talk to a trusted roofer to find out what’s going on. You’ll be happy to hear if it’s nothing, and you’ll be even happier to hear that you caught the problem early if there’s an issue.

AZ Native Roofing is your trusted roofing company in Arizona. We have been in business for nearly two decades, and we have five-star ratings from our customers. We offer high-quality and affordable roofing services, including inspections, maintenance, and repair. We work on all roof types, including shingle, tile, metal, and foam, and we are committed to getting quality, long-term results. We service both residential and commercial properties, and we work whatever hours are needed to get the job done. Call us today to schedule a free estimate for your roof repair or to learn more about our services.

Written By:
Jason Swim – Owner