How To Curb Creepy Sounds, Sights, and Smells Coming From Your House
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Your home might be the spookiest one on the block—but not for paranormal reasons.
Creepy sounds, sights, and smells coming from your house could suggest something is seriously amiss with your electrical, plumbing, or other major systems.
“You’ll want to get to the root of the problem sooner rather than later. Especially as we head into fall, homeowners will want to do what they can to make sure their families are safe, bills are low, and things are working properly throughout the home,” says Mark Dawson, chief operating officer of Mister Sparky, One Hour Heating and Air, and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.
So don’t write off rattling pipes or putrid smells as just a bunch of hocus-pocus. Here are the disturbing signs you should pay attention to in your home.
Loud noises coming from your electrical panel
No, that buzzing sound coming from your electrical panel isn’t a poltergeist, but it might be a faulty breaker. Contact your local electrician to inspect the panel as soon as possible to see whether you need to replace it.
“These noises aren’t the only thing to watch out for,” says Dawson. “Flickering lights can also cause a bit of an electrical fright. You’ll want to check them so you can avoid any serious issues.”
He says common causes of flickering lights may include power surges or faulty dimmer switches, and loose or damaged wiring.
“You may have a bigger issue if your lights continue to flicker when additional appliances are not running. Call a licensed professional to inspect your home’s electrical system if you witness any power surges in your home,” says Dawson.
Weird sounds coming from your HVAC system
You also may hear bizarre sounds coming from your heating and air system. Rattling could mean there are loose components in your unit, such as cover plates, screws, or fan blades. Or there may be debris hitting the fan blades outside.
Then, there’s buzzing. Scary!
“Buzzing sounds in your HVAC can be caused by multiple factors, from loose blower motors to transformer boxes not being properly mounted. It could also mean you have a broken capacitor, which provides the initial jolt of energy for the motor to run successfully,” says Dawson.
Freaky smells
If you smell an odd odor coming from the ducts, you should act quickly.
“A rotten egg smell could mean there’s a natural gas leak. This type of smell could also mean there’s a dead animal in your ducts,” says Dawson.
Musty or mildewy odor could mean there is mold in your ducts and should be checked out by a professional, since mold can be extremely dangerous. Dawson recommends shutting off your HVAC and having an HVAC professional assess it.
Blood-sucking creatures
Have you noticed an abundance of blood-sucking mosquitoes on your property lately?
Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist at Mosquito Squad, recommends turning over any planters near the front door and yard that collect water during the fall and winter months, since they can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Crumbley says mosquitoes are typically most active in the early morning and early evening, the latter of which is peak trick-or-treating time for many families.
If you plan to sit on your porch or lawn to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters, Crumbley urges you to “be sure to make your yard as inhospitable as possible for mosquitoes.”
This means getting rid of standing water, removing excess grass and lawn clippings, and having a professional spray your yard with a perimeter pest control treatment.
Scary plumbing noises
That banging coming from the floor and walls doesn’t mean your house is haunted. Sometimes plumbing just breaks noisily. Watch out for these top plumbing sounds in your home:
Rattling pipes: Pipes can rattle after the toilet is flushed, which may mean the pipes are loose and need to be tightened.
Whistling pipes: When your bathroom or kitchen fixtures whistle, it could mean the pressure is too low, which requires turning your pressure regulator down.
“A whistle could also be a sign that there’s air or debris in the pipes. To address that issue, turn off your main shut-off valve and run the faucet until you drain out all the water, then open the valve again and see if that helps,” says Dawson.
Whooshing from the shower: This could arise from minerals building up in pipes or the water heater, which causes whooshing sounds when you take a shower.
“This indicates that you may need to have your heater or pipes professionally flushed to clear out the sediment. A water softener can also help minimize the chance of experiencing this issue in the future,” says Dawson.
Gurgling in the drain: This could mean that your vent pipe is blocked, which prevents water from draining properly and can lead to bad odors in your home. To remedy a noisy drain, have your vent opening inspected for anything that might be obstructing it.
The post How To Curb Creepy Sounds, Sights, and Smells Coming From Your House appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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