If you’ve lived in your Marietta, GA house long enough, you’ve probably heard cracking or popping noises coming from the roof. In most cases, they are nothing to worry about, but they could also be a sign of structural issues that need to be addressed quickly. Let’s take a closer look at the various causes of roof noises and how to tell if they are normal or something that you need to fix immediately.
Temperature Changes Can Cause Cracks or Pops
One of the most common causes of cracking or popping noises is drastic changes in temperature. When this happens, you’re more likely to hear what sounds almost like a gunshot. However, what is actually happening is that wood or another material is expanding or contracting in response to that temperature change.
You’re most likely to hear especially loud noises in winter when there can be a significant difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. This may also occur during the transition from winter to spring or fall to winter as temperatures change rapidly in a short period.
In most cases, you have little to worry about, as the materials that make up your roof are supposed to expand or contract a bit. Assuming the roof is in good condition, the fact that this happens will have little to no impact on its ability to protect your home from the elements.
An Increase in Humidity Can Cause Creaking Noises
In addition to changes in temperature, an increase in humidity can cause roofing materials to expand. The expansion might also create cracking or other noises coming from the roof. However, in such a scenario, it’s wise to have the roof and attic inspected, as humidity can have an adverse impact on this part of your home.
If not addressed, humid air can become stagnant and bombard your attic and roof with a steady stream of moisture. This moisture can eat away at decking and shingles, and it can cause mold or mildew to grow and spread. Ultimately, it can cause damage that makes your roof vulnerable to pest or other types of damage.
How Old Is Your Roof?
The age of your roof could provide an important clue as to the cause of the creaking noises you hear coming from it. Asphalt shingles will typically last for about 25 years before you have to replace them. As they age, they tend to become brittle, which can cause them to make popping or creaking noises.
The easiest way to determine the condition of asphalt shingles on your roof is to have them inspected on an annual basis. A professional should be able to spot signs of damage such as a loss of granules or shingles that are starting to curl or shrivel.
Of course, if there are missing shingles on your roof, you need to replace them as quickly as possible. Otherwise, they could expose the structure to water, pests or other problems.
What About My Metal Roof?
If you have a metal roof on your home, you may also hear a lot of cracking, popping and hissing noises as the seasons change. This is because it the metal has a high thermal expansion coefficient, which means it does a good job of expanding and contracting when the temperature changes. A metal roof might also be vulnerable to making noise when the humidity levels increase.
Odd Noises Could Point to Structural Issues
A storm, improper installation or pest damage can result in structural issues that might be causing the creaking noises that you’re hearing. For instance, carpenter ants could have eaten away parts of wooden beams that are now expanding to fill the gaps left behind.
It is also possible that shingles or other roof components have gaps because they weren’t properly nailed to the roof or properly sealed. In some cases, you may notice broken shingles, missing nails or moisture damage where a skylight wasn’t properly sealed.
Failing to have these problems fixed quickly could result in moisture damage throughout the house. This is because water will take the path of least resistance once it gets into your home. As it works its way toward the house’s foundation, it could result in mold growth, wet insulation or even cracks in the foundation itself.
The Roof Might Be Too Heavy
A typical roof should have no more than two layers of asphalt shingles on it at any given time. Otherwise, it may be too heavy and be vulnerable to collapse. A creaking noise may indicate that beams, joints or other items holding the roof up are straining under the weight.
The same might be true if you have a metal or tile roof on your home. If you are planning to convert to metal or tile from asphalt shingles, make sure that your home is retrofitted to handle the additional weight if necessary. A professional roofer can tell you more about what might need to be done and what might happen if adjustments aren’t made to handle the extra weight that these materials add.
Although it doesn’t snow much in Marietta, it can get cold enough for rain to turn to ice. A thick layer of ice on the roof could add enough weight to cause the roof to strain or buckle.
Insulation May Help to Minimize Noise
One of the easier ways to minimize roof noise is to add insulation. Doing so now can help to better regulate the temperature and humidity levels throughout the year. During the summer, it will help to keep hot air out and cooler air in, and during the winter, it will work to keep warmer air in and colder air out.
A properly insulated roof might also work to keep the attic and the rest of your house at a consistent temperature throughout the year. Therefore, you can minimize noise and keep the cost of your utility bills to a minimum. In addition to better temperature regulation, an adequately insulated roof can help to keep humidity levels down in the summer months.
Finally, insulation may help to make your roof quieter. This means that even if the insulation isn’t enough to totally solve the problem, any sounds the roof does make will be muted to a significant degree. This may make it easier to sleep or allow household members who don’t like loud noises to exist in your home comfortably.
At Transformation Roofing & Home Services, we can also help design a roof, assist with any gutter issues that your home is having, or work with your insurance company after a major storm. We can keep your roof properly maintained so that it can last for many years to come. Our professional roofers are fully licensed, insured, bonded and have significant experience in the roofing, home services and construction industries.
If you are in need of roof repair or replacement services in Marietta, GA, contact our team at Transformation Roofing & Home Services right away. Our roof inspection services can give you answers!
