humming home

[LEFTRIDEG]

This is no joke--am almost 64 years old and have worked in many building projects but have never come across this--and it's happened to me !!

Background--live in the panhandle of florida--home is 1981 vintage--brick-- single story--hip roof construction.

About 28 hours ago, noticed a "humm" in the house seemingly coming from front portion overhead. This "humm" occures approximaty every three (3) minutes. If outside and fairly close to house, it can be heard there as well.

It seems to be around a valley in the roof -- roof is 5 years old.

Honestly, this is not a joke--need some help.

Thanks--------

[joed]

I have heard of gas meters, water maters, pressure reducing valves, bees causing similar noises

[junkcollector]

Have you taken a look around up in the attic?

How loud is it?

Can you hear it during the night?

[LEFTRIDEG]

Thanks guys for responding so quickly--

Jeff, the gas meter is located outside at the end of the house--about 25 feet from where i think the noise is loudest. The water meter is in the frint yard.

Junkcollector, no, i have not been in the attic--temps here are in the 90s and is a low roof line. Going to have to at least look I guess but the "humm" has just been going on since yesterday afternoon, so haven't really gotten into it as yet. But yes--is a constant "humm" about maybe 10 seconds in duration and about every 2 1/2 to 3 minutes.

[CraigFL]

How about an attic fan that has a temp sensor to turn it on? Maybe the motor overheats and tuns it off in a few minutes.

[LEFTRIDEG]

Thanks Craig, but no, I have no attic fan. BTW--I'm in Fort Walton Beach.

[joed]

Now It sounds like a stuck motor going into overloaded and then reseting. Do you have a sump pump? sewage pump? bathroom fan? The noise could be travling through the pipes to sounds like it is in the attic.

Try turning off breakers and see if you find one that kills the sound.

[LEFTRIDEG]

Thanks Joed--but there are no sump or sewer pumps and I checked the bath fans and all seem to be working fine.

[Fischer]

Now It sounds like a stuck motor going into overloaded and then reseting. Do you have a sump pump? sewage pump? bathroom fan? The noise could be travling through the pipes to sounds like it is in the attic.

Try turning off breakers and see if you find one that kills the sound.


Have you tried turning off the breakers one by one that Joed suggested?

[Fischer]

Actually you could also through the main breaker and see if it still happens.

[LEFTRIDEG]

Well folks, the problem is solved. With the help of a friends' son (a plumber) I found a leaky flapper valve in the toilet! Believe it or not!! The noise was concentrated in the ceiling above this bathroom and was carried out into the foyer. Turned off the water to the tank and the noise stopped. Have had many flapper valves leak in the past but never made a noise like that--so there you are--another unusual situation.

Thanks to all that replied and especially to Jeff for providing us with a forum.

Thanks again----------

[joed]

Thank you for coming back and updating us. It's nice know how the problem was finally resolved.

[Moonlight24]

Light sleeper, I have endured 8 years of loose copper banging against the PVC drain pipe with a leaky flapper. We stay there every Christmas for 2-3 days. Everytime I heard a sound similar to what you describe, I wake up. It is really nice.

I have approached them many a time to rip up a bit of drywall, fix this, and install a new flush kit, to no avail.

We already have booked and paid a stay at the nearest hotel. There is a pool and a hot tub.

- Inlaws FYI