Unexplained clicking or tapping noises inside the walls
Unidentified tapping and clicking sounds inside walls are frequently caused by thermal expansion and contraction of metal water pipes rubbing against framing studs as temperatures shift. These rhythmic noises occur independently of plumbing use or light switches and disrupt sleep by repeating consistently throughout the day and night.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from November 2026.
- This comes up 16.1× more often in r/HomeMaintenance than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Speculating about potential causes like thermal expansion in pipes, ventilation systems, or mice.Did this help you?
- 2Checking for plumbing issuesDid this help you?
- 3Checking electrical systemsDid this help you?
- 4stomp or poke the ceiling with an objectDid this help you?
- 5setting traps and poison stations in the atticDid this help you?
- 6waiting for pest control to inspect and seal entry pointsDid this help you?
- 7Triangulate the direction of the sound by moving to different parts of the homeDid this help you?
- 8Investigate potential sources like a neighbor moving furniture, plumbing issues, or pest deterrentsDid this help you?
- 9put foam or pipe insulation on lines before drywall goes upDid this help you?
- 10take showers downstairsDid this help you?
- 11setting snap trapsDid this help you?
- 12putting out baitDid this help you?
- 13checking what is plugged in nearby to see if the sound is just a normal appliance compressorDid this help you?
- 14Replacing the toilet fill valve with a different, simpler modelDid this help you?
- 15Securing unsupported pipesDid this help you?
- 16Putting out mouse or rat poison around the exterior of the building.Did this help you?
- 17Recording videos to capture the noise and ask for help identifying it.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Otherwise, when someone uses hot water upstairs, it’ll rub on the PVC radon pipe and make an annoying creaking/rubbing sound.”source ↗
“the noises it makes drives me absolutely nuts. The entire expansion and contraction game lasts an hour after I shower.”source ↗
“The toilet fills, the valve shuts off, then it continues to open and close. I can hear the water hammer in the walls as this is happening.”source ↗
“as a stay at home mom, I’m constantly on edge waiting for the scratching to start again.”source ↗
“a few times a day (inconsistently), there is a loud thunk/knocking noise coming from around our office outlet.”source ↗
“i tried googling and sounds like it could be old wiring that’s damaged? is this something we should get checked out by an electrician?”source ↗
“we are renters and this is an old building with few outlets, so could this potentially be a result of overloading this outlet?”source ↗
“I can hear a sound coming apparently from a wall.”source ↗
“It is not super loud, but it wakes me up every night (also twice or three times).”source ↗
“Should I be worried about the noise?”source ↗
“It’s pretty much the same location and it’s on and off and I am panicking as hell.”source ↗
“I tried stomping or using something to poke the ceiling, but it’s on and off, I am not sure that if that stops the sound.”source ↗
“I don’t know if it’s rodent or something else.”source ↗
“I am hoping that someone might be able to help diagnose what on earth is causing this noise.”source ↗
“It’s been happening all day every 5-10 minutes for ~5 seconds at a time.”source ↗
“I guess my concern is it could be leaking into the house, but no signs of this yet.”source ↗
“I noticed it a few days ago, it happens constantly all day and night. It doesn't relate to any taps being turned on or any switches either.”source ↗
“I live in a high rise apartment and have been hearing this sound the past few weeks. It comes at random times and will go on every 20s or so for 5-10 mins.”source ↗
“The lower repetitive noise throughout this video I’ve heard a few different times.”source ↗
“My mouse/rat poison around the building has been untouched for over a week and I’m losing my mind.”source ↗
“It’s waking me up in the middle of the night but sometimes still active in the mornings.”source ↗
“There were a couple mice spotted in my basement apartment a while ago which I caught with snap traps. Haven‘t seen any since then. But the past few nights I’ve heard scratching in the walls of my room.”source ↗
“Im so worried they’re gonna tear through the drywall as I’m sleeping and 50+ will be crawling in my bed and in my dresser, etc. This sucks so much.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 9How to stop cracking and popping noises when walking on floors
- 13Why is my AC making a weird noise when it turns on?
- 2Why do I hear a weird noise but see no leaks?
- 8Why is my plumbing or AC making bubbling noises?
- 5Why does my car make a clunking noise under load or when turning?
- 147How to explain an intermittent car noise to a mechanic