[ken33xx]

I've never experienced or heard this mentioned before: Recently a renter told me she hears popping noises at night. She thinks there might be structural damage. (Home built 2003 and there are no visible signs of any issues.)

I explained the AZ summer heat is causing the sounds and not to worry.

She told me she wants to hose up against the house so the foundation won't move. I told her that's not a good idea.

I like the renter but she appears bit neurotic.

Any suggestions how I can ease her mind and explain the popping she hears at night is normal. And that watering outside against the house before going to bed isn't a good idea.

Thanks

 

[ken33xx]

Here's what I found on-line:

It’s thermal expansion and contraction. The sun hits your roof and heats it up. As the lumber expands, it moves and rubs against other pieces of wood that aren’t moving at the same rate. This movement creates the popping noise. When the wood cools down after sunset, the same thing happens in reverse.
https://www.dispatch.com/entertainmentlife/20170326/ask-builder-roof-popping-noise-has-simple-fix

 

[udraft]

That seems good, simple to understand. Get that to her and don't push it, she's neurotic.

 

[Windows on Wash]

I would inform her that she is, in no way, allowed to make ANY modifications to the home whatsoever. Homes make noise and especially in AZ when they go from super hot to cooling off. Everything expands and contracts at some rate. Houses and building materials are no different.

 

[ken33xx]

O.k. I contacted the renter and explained the popping sound is fairly normal esp. this time of year. She thanked me.

So, all is well that ends well.

I can only imagine if this happened a few years back when I was using property management. I'd have gotten an email telling me there could be structural damage. That a contractor needs to go out and do an inspection.

And God only knows what kind of recommendations/estimate to "fix" the popping noise and save my home from further "structural damage" I would have ended up with.