Getting To The Bottom Of Bumps In Your Basement

Every house has its own set of noises and way of speaking to you. The chances are that, on your first few nights in your new home, you jumped and jittered at every little bang and creak. But, after a week or so of sleeping in the space, it’s not unusual for those very noises to become the soundtrack of comfort. Some people even report not being able to sleep without the distinct clunk of their pipes, or hum of their refrigerator.

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And, your familiarity with the sounds of your home set you in a unique position to hear intruding noises straight away. We’re talking, of course, about those creaks which aren’t usually there, and those bangs which definitely aren’t normal. You and you alone will notice them the first night they occur.

It’s essential you don’t ignore noises like these, or hope that they’ll go away on their own. They often happen for a reason which needs addressing before it gets worse. First, of course, you need to determine precisely where the sound is coming from. While sounds can come from all over the house, it’s often the case that your basement is the source of the problem. This is, after all, where the majority of us have our boilers. It’s also the area with pipes and so on. To help you get to the bottom of any basement issues, we’re going to look at what they might mean.

[ctt template=”4″ link=”qm1JT” via=”yes” ]Your familiarity with the sounds of your home set you in a unique position to hear sounds which aren’t usually there. It's essential you don’t ignore noises like these, especially if they are in your basement. We’re going to look at what may be going on in your basement.[/ctt]

You’ve get pests

If pests are going to make their way into your home, you can be sure that they’ll land in your basement first. This is, after all, the area closest to the ground. As such, it’s easy enough for critters to gain access to. The space provides the perfect hidey-hole for everything you could think of, especially creatures of the rodent variety. So, if you hear scraping, scratching, or even the occasional bang in your basement, you might have a pest issue.

This is an easy enough problem to diagnose. Proof of animals like these can be evident in a few ways. For one, you’ll see signs of droppings in no time. Nibbling, scratching and nest making are also red lights in the pest world. If the infestation is large enough, there’s a real chance you’ll be able to see the perpetrators themselves.

But, what can you do when pests start to pester you? First, you need to contact a company like www.atkinsinc.com/, who can work with you to develop long term solutions to the issue. Once the infestation is gone, it’s important to find their point of entry and cover it to avoid the same happening again.

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Your boiler is broken

As mentioned above, a lot of households have a basement-bound boiler. It’s an easy way to keep it out of the way, after all. As also mentioned above, all boilers have sound quirks of their own. Some clank, others clunk, others make banging sounds when they’re firing up. Such is the nature of boilers. But, if yours starts producing sounds which aren’t the norm, you can be sure you have a problem on your hands.

Again, this is an easy enough issue to diagnose. Sure signs something’s going on include sudden loud banging when your heating turns on, or strange sounds from the pipes in your bathroom. Try to open your basement door when your heating is set to come on. It’ll soon become clear if your boiler is to blame for the noise. It’s also worth listening to your boiler while running hot water in another room. Again, this will soon give the game away.

Of course, there are a few different noises your boiler might make, all of which mean different things. You can find out more about what each sound means on sites like http://www.ductworkinstallation.com. Whether you can hear gurgling, banging, or swooshing, it’s crucial to diagnose the issue correctly. It may be that there’s an easy fix you can take for the time being. Then, call on a professional who can take a proper look for you.

You need to seal your windows

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It isn’t unusual to have a window or two in a basement. While they usually aren’t the largest in the world, these do let some light into the space, as well as allowing you to air it every so often. But, they can cause issues of their own if you don’t care for them in the right way. If your boiler isn’t to blame for the banging in your basement, then a loose window might be. If a window has worked free over the years, or if the clasp has broken, it might bang against the frame in windy conditions. Equally, window seals which allow a breeze through might make a horrible howling sound which is sure to send you mad.

The good news is, this is the most straightforward issue of all to fix. If the clasp on your window has broken, all you need to do is replace it. If the window itself has worked loose, something like a storm sash could help to keep it in place. There are even simple fixes for a draughty window. With the right sealant or gadget, you can soon put an end to this issue. Even something as simple as installing blinds should make a difference here. In no time, those unpleasant basement bumps will become a thing of the past.

In conclusion

These are by no means the only messages your basement may try and send you, but they are three of the most common. And, as you can see, each of them is easy enough to overcome once you’ve realized what’s to blame. So, instead of hiding under your duvet in fear with each bang, it’s essential you get to the bottom of this issue. While not a problem if you catch them early enough, each of these issues could lead to significant problems if you ignore them. Then, you really will have a nightmare on your hands.

This is a contributed post.

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