New house, freezing temps, loud popping noises

lp61006 · 02-21-2008, 03:27 PM

We built a house (fully exposed ranch) in south central Wisconsin last year and moved in at the end of October. In case you haven't heard, we've had the worst winter here in years -- about 90 inches of snow, a few ice storms and very frigid temperatures. We've spent many days and nights below zero.

My husband and I have noticed some very loud pops and cracking noises coming from what seems to be the exterior of our house, and these noises usually occur when it's really, really cold outside. At first we thought the noises were coming from our deck, but now they seem to be everywhere and anywhere. The noises do not come from the roof, and we don't have much snow up there at all. What could they be? Is something really cracking or popping apart and we just can't see it? Is it anything to worry about?

It's unbelievable how loud some of these "pops" are.

Clutchcargo · 02-21-2008, 03:39 PM

What type of house and how old is this house? Are there are large beams as in like a house built out of a barn. It could be the wood checking as it shrinks and drys.
I remember a This Old House episode where the owners said the pops sounded like gun shots.

lp61006 · 02-21-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lp61006

We built a house (fully exposed ranch) in south central Wisconsin last year and moved in at the end of October.

That should answer your question.

Clutchcargo · 02-21-2008, 06:12 PM

Ah, yes... first sentence... did it again.
At least let me bump it for some other ideas.

redline · 02-21-2008, 06:15 PM

How long is the warranty period on this new house?

lp61006 · 02-21-2008, 06:31 PM

There is a one-year warranty from the builder (so until October), but he has a very good reputation in our small town and came highly recommended, so I know he'd stand by his work.

Any ideas on what could be the problem? Like I said, the only time we hear these noises is when it's extremely cold outside, about 5 degrees or below.

skymaster · 02-21-2008, 07:01 PM

I would be asking the BUILDER these questions first :} Everyone here is more than willing to help but the builder is the one who should be there talkin to ya

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 02-21-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skymaster

I would be asking the BUILDER these questions first :} Everyone here is more than willing to help but the builder is the one who should be there talkin to ya

My thoughts exactly.

Brik · 02-21-2008, 09:04 PM

Anything anyone here says would be pure speculation....

If I were to speculate - Its either something expanding and contracting or something flexing under snow load. I would further guess its something expanding/contracting. I would further speculate that it could be the siding. Vinyl siding is hung on nails that are not nailed tight. often those nails get installed a little too tight preventing the expansion and contraction until temps get to an extreme. At that extreme the nail gives way, POP, and the siding frees itself suddenly instead of gradually as it should have if it weren't nailed so tight.

All of this is speculation though. Could be anything. Did the neighbor kid get a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas?

lp61006 · 02-21-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brik

Did the neighbor kid get a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas?

Oh, the "pops" are way louder than that!

Thanks for the suggestions. I plan to talk to the builder, but I just wanted to make sure it was something worth bothering him about first.

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 02-22-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lp61006

....I just wanted to make sure it was something worth bothering him about first.

It's worth bothering him about.

Taipans · 02-22-2008, 06:36 PM

Wow.. I would love to hear how this turns out. That would freak me out!