Sounds Like Someone Is Running On My Roof?
Hearing noises in your ceiling or on your roof can be rather unsettling, even if you’re not the superstitious type. Luckily, there are a few pretty straightforward explanations for what may be causing these sounds.
If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night or being bothered throughout the day by the sound of someone—or something—running across your roof, you’ll be happy to know there are clear solutions.
The sound of someone running on your roof can be from animals in your attic, your pipes expanding and contracting, or tree branches scraping across the outside of your home. Depending on the issue, you can fix it by either calling an exterminator, soundproofing your pipes, or simply trimming the trees around your home.
In this article, we’re going to dive a bit deeper into how these things can cause noises on your roof and what you can do to resolve them.
Common Causes for Noises on Your Roof
There are different causes for the noises on your roof, and each of them are very different from the other. That’s why it’s so important to be able to quickly identify the problem and come up with a solution. Here are the most common culprits you’ll most likely find yourself up against.
Animals in the Attic
Coming in at #1 are pests that have found their way onto your roof or into your attic. From small birds to large raccoon, any animal can make a racket when they’re above your head. Depending on where you live, these will be the animals you most likely will find:
- Squirrels. If you hear running or thudding noises during the day, you’re probably dealing with squirrels. They will scurry around often entering and exiting your home multiple times throughout the day.
- Rats/Mice. Any light scampering or scratching, especially in the walls, is an indication of rodents like mice or rats. These animals are nocturnal, so you will most likely be hearing these noises at night.
- Raccoons. These pests are much larger, so you’ll hear them walking and thumping around much more. Raccoons are also more vocal, so you’ll hear more of their chittering. This will mostly be happening at night.
- Opossums. These animals are also on the larger side, but they tend to be slow and quiet. The noises you’ll hear from them sound more like bumps or dragging as they begin building their nests.
- Birds. Whether a bird is pecking at your gutter system or building a nest in your attic, they can be rather noisy. You’ll most often hear tapping, thuds, flapping, and occasional walking.
Pipes
If you’re hearing a ticking or clicking noise in your ceilings, the issue could be in your HVAC system. The ductwork that runs in your walls and ceiling will continuously be expanding as the metal heats up and contracting when it cools.
This sound can sometimes sound the same as having an animal in the walls or ceiling, so it’s in your best interest to either call a plumber or pest control expert if you’re unsure.
Tree Branches
One of the simplest reasons for an odd scratching noise coming from your roof is that your tree branches simply got too long. Once these hanging branches start to fall over your roof system, they can scratch the surface of your roof as the wind blows.
If you have nut-bearing trees or oak trees, you may also hear the occasional thud as nuts and twigs fall from the branches. It’s important to keep your trees in check for both of these reasons.
Additionally, it’s a good idea because animals can find their way onto your roof system from these branches if they get too long.
How to Resolve Each of These Issues
So, now you know the three main culprits behind the weird sounds on your roof. Next, you have to figure out how to resolve the issue, so you can have your peace of mind once more. Fortunately, the solutions are fairly straightforward.
Pest Control
If you suspect you have animals in your attic or on your roof, it’s best to leave resolving the issue to the professionals. Depending on the pest, you can expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $500 on average to remove animals from the attic.
While you could most likely catch a mouse on your own, you should have someone inspect your property. You may think you’ve fixed the issue, when really you barely made an impact. Animal control specialists know how different animals nest, how to trap them, and how to release them to ensure they won’t find their way back.
Wrapping Pipes with Sound Proofing
As your pipes heat up and cool down, they’ll expand and contract. This can create a ticking noise that can be incredibly disruptive. Luckily, you can fix this issue on your own. As long as you know how to access your ductwork for your HVAC system, you can use soundproofing materials to muffle the noise.
Using a dense vinyl material directly around the pipes can block noises and dampen any vibrations. That way, you don’t have to deal with those noises on a regular basis. You can also fill the wall cavity with soundproofing insulation. This will fill the space around the pipes, so the noise doesn’t echo as much.
Tree Trimming
If your tree branches are scratching your roof, the best thing you can do is trim the tree. It’s recommended to keep tree branches eight to 12 feet away from your home to avoid any issues with branches. Typically, the best time to trim your trees is between November and March because most trees are dormant. This will lessen the risk for insect rot or diseases.
So, What is that Sound on Your Roof?
If you’re hearing a strange sound coming from your roof, it is most likely from one of three things: pests, pipes, or trees. Depending on the issue, you should either call an exterminator, soundproof the ductwork, or trim any overhanging branches.
If you’re hearing running noises, you’re most likely dealing with animals living in your attic or walls. A clicking noise, on the other hand, will most likely indicate expansion and contraction in your pipes. Finally, a scratching sound is going to come from long tree branches moving up against your house.
I am a copywriter and editor based in the Las Vegas area with nearly a decade of experience under my belt writing landing pages, cost guides, blog posts, newsletters, case studies, and social media content. I have a degree in Strategic Communication and experience working in both the account and creative spheres. My goal is to always be discovering new interests and bettering myself as a writer and editor along the way.
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