Sounds you don't want to hear your house make

Key insights:

• Maintenance is key to preventing your appliances and HVAC systems from making odd sounds.
• Critters in the walls require professional help to remove the uninvited guests, prevent them from coming back and repair any damage.
• Other noises, like floor creaks and hinge screeches, may only require a bit of DIY to stop the sounds.

Ever wonder what your clanking furnace is trying to tell you? Worry no more. Here's a list of sounds homeowners don't want to hear, what they could mean and how to silence them for good.

Groaning when you turn the heat on

While it's normal to hear a heating system make some noise when it turns on for the first time during the season, it should be silent once it's in operation. Some homes use boilers to heat their homes during cooler temperatures, which work by boiling water and circulating steam through the home’s piping. Any noise in the boiler could indicate that the circular pump is about to fail. Before that happens and you’re stuck in the cold, call someone to fix it.

Whistling noise from the furnace

A furnace can be expensive to fix and replace, so it's important to keep a close eye on it. Watch to see if the filter needs replacing — when it doesn't get changed, a furnace works harder to do its job. This can also lead to weird noises, as your furnace is trying to pull air in.

Hums and thunks from your kitchen

Is your refrigerator running…? If it is, you might hear a small hum, but a louder noise could indicate an issue. The same goes for loud thunks from your dishwasher, washer and dryer, rattling from your microwave or a high-pitched squeal from your oven. Check to see if your appliances are still under warranty and look in the manuals for quick fixes. If all else fails and the noises persist, get someone out to do an inspection and make sure you don’t end up with a warm fridge.

Scurrying sounds in the walls

Any sign of pests in the walls is another sound you don't want to hear. Waking up to scratches in the middle of the night coming from inside your walls could indicate that there is a mouse, squirrel or raccoon living in your home. You can use your own judgment, but we'd suggest hiring an exterminator to make sure you get rid of all the critters. You might also want to call in someone to take a look and close up any potential entry points and repair any chewed wires and lived-in insulation.

A creaky floor or squeaky step

While squeaky steps and a creaking floor could be nothing more than some moisture in the boards, it could also indicate something more serious. A loose floorboard, foundational and moisture issues could all be causes that you’d want to address. Try fixing the problem yourself or call in a professional if you see signs of a bigger issue.

Hinges that screech

An ear-piercing screech when opening a door or pulling on a cabinet can usually be resolved with a quick fix from the homeowner. Worst-case scenario, you might have to invest in some new hinges or replace warped or aging wood cabinets and doors.

Looking for a different sound?

When it comes to your home, it is always important to practice preventative maintenance and take care of little noises before they become big problems. Looking for a quiet home in the country, or a different kind of noise in the city? Reach out and get connected with an Edina Realty agent to help you find the right home.