Common Noises In The Loft Explained
Hearing noises coming from your loft in the night? In this blog we’ll explain some possible common noises in the loft to put your mind at rest.
Find Out Why You Might Be Hearing Noises in the Loft at Night
There’s nothing more unnerving than a hollow clack, bump, or sharp thud, emanating from somewhere in your home in the middle of the night. That’s because these noises are often mistaken for a tree limb falling on the roof, a slamming door, animal intruders, or a hungry ghost raiding your fridge while everybody else is asleep. But the explanation is typically something far less ominous and could instead be coming from inside your loft.
Here are Some Common Causes of Noises in the Loft
1. Lack of Insulation and Ventilation
The most common cause of noises in the loft or attic is nighttime contraction of ceiling components. These components expand in the heat during the day and then shrink in the night when it gets colder.
Added insulation will help to keep these materials warmer in the nighttime and prevent them from changing shape, as well as possibly minimising the temperature shifts that cause the problem in the first place - it really depends on how much insulation you use and how efficient your house is overall.
Movement in the roof rafters, trusses or sheathing could be another cause of sounds in the attic. And even though insulation won’t prevent any movement, it will help to dampen the sound and make it a lot less noticeable. It’s also worth considering installing loft ventilation, as this will help reduce heat building up during the day (and summer nighttime) and prevent materials expanding and contracting as well.
2. Animal Infestation
Noises in the loft can indicate that rodents or other wildlife may have taken habitation in your loft. Lofts are the ideal environment for a number of different animals including: rats, mice, squirrels, wasps nests and in some cases, bats.
If you think the noise might be being caused by an animal, you should get your loft investigated as soon as possible as nests and droppings become ideal breeding sites for pests, which may then carry nasty bugs and diseases into your home. We recommend hiring a professional to investigate for you, the most common sign of habitation is animal droppings.
3. Audible Illusions
Sometimes noises from the loft aren’t even coming from your loft at all. The sound is likely amplified by the large open space, especially in an unused loft, even when the problem is somewhere else in the structure - such as in the interior and exterior walls. The biggest difficulty is determining where the problem lies. It might be a case of trial and error, installing the appropriate insulation materials to rule out temperature-related contraction and expansion.
Installing a proper loft ladder will make accessing your loft and determining the source of the sound all the more simple and secure. The last thing you want is to tackle a rickety ladder in the middle of the night - it’s unsafe and impractical.
Loft Centres Safe and Easy to Fit Loft Ladders:
Dolle ClickFix Mini Timber Folding Loft Ladder (925 x 600mm)
Our Dolle ClickFix Mini Timber Folding Loft Ladder is a practical and safe ladder that is easy to assemble compared to other traditional loft ladders. Fit with its own loft hatch, ClickFix Mini offers a complete ladder unit which is both compact and stylish.
Dolle SW40-5 Timber Folding Loft Ladder (1200 x 700mm)
One of our most affordable wooden loft ladders is our Dolle SW40-5 Timber Folding Loft Ladder. A straightforward and easy to use timber folding ladder, the ‘SW36-5’ is a great option for any type of building. With it’s easy to attach, extension kits the ‘SW36-5’ is able to reach heights that other similar ladders simply can’t.
Dolle ClickFix Thermo Comfort Steel Folding Loft Ladder (1200 x 700mm)
For efficiency and practicality, our Dolle ClickFix Thermo Comfort Steel Folding Loft Ladder is the perfect choice. With comfortable deep treads and a sleek steel design, this loft ladder provides a quick and simple solution for your loft access needs.
Disclaimer:
We do not provide services or products that deal with plumbing issues, insulation and the removal of pests.
How Can Loft Centre Help?
Although we don’t provide services to help with the concerns in this article, we can provide loft access solutions. Whether you’re in need of new loft stairs or loft ladders, or a replacement for an old stair kit that no longer follows regulations, our helpful sales team is here to help you with all your loft access needs. Browse our full range on site, or if you need something more bespoke, please contact our sales team by email or call us on 01243 785246 during business hours.
View our range of Loft Centre products