Creaky Houses Are OK, but Hissing Ones Aren’t

Got a house that groans and creaks? Floors that squeak and pipes that shriek?

Houses make many kinds of noises. Some are from kids, pets and doors opening and closing. Others are from electronics and appliances.

Water running in pipes can make them vibrate and sing. Heating and cooling starts and stops with clicks, hums and pops, and then the system expands, contracts, turns on and off.

Houses themselves always are moving. One side expands as the sun warms it, while the other is shaded and cool. But be careful not to overlook or ignore new sounds like hissing, zapping or crackling that could signal anything from a gas leak to problems with wiring or your water heater.

-- Associated Press