How and why do Old Houses "make noise"?

Question

Why is it when people buy an old house and think they hear stuff, someone will tell them, "It's an old house! Of course it will make noise!"

My house is a bit jealous. :P But seriously, why is that? I would understand it being noisy when a person is there, such as very loud staircases, WHEN a person is walking down them! But not on their own.

Answer 1

People are unconsciencly using their psi powers without realizing it.  This is the explaination of everything that exists.

Answer 2

Ambient temperature causes wood to expand and contract.  The older the house, the more settled it is.  The more unleve the foundation is, the more structurally unsound the building is.

Answer 3

There are many reasons from which to explain noise and oddities in very old houses.

A hundred years ago many houses were just built without codes and the foundations are lacking the ability to keep the house from sinking in different spots. Many old houses even had no underhouse pumbing and the tubs would just empty under the house, weakening the foundations further.

Once a house sinks from weak foundations, it generally will not do so evenly. It will become off level and just walking around inside will give you ill feelings.

Also, pipes  are not strapped down and air gets inside the pipes and will make a huge racket and banging.

Wood doesn't grow and shrink from weather. It is from not being sealed, as in the top of doors which allows in moisture and that is when the movement happens.

Exposed wood that is not sealed will always cause problems.

If you have a door that is loose or sticky at certain times of the year, get on a chair and see if the top of the the door is sealed or painted. The bottom also. If not, wait until the time of year where the door is working properly and then take it off and seal it. Don't seal it when it is acting up.

Answer 4

The first poster is right. Depending on what it is built of new houses can also make noise depending on what they are made of such as metal roof trusses.

I reckon old houses would be more likely to have easier access and more hiding spots for vermin too, quite a small animal like a mouse or a rat can make a surprisingly loud noise in the dead of night.

Also more likely to have dodgy plumbing in old houses like when the pipes hammer.(I think thats what it's called).

Answer 5

Houses settle and when they settle they make noises. Older houses have old water pipes and sometimes those pipes move and rattle and make noises.

Answer 6

Heat and cold causes wood to expand and contract.

These movements cause the noise.

Answer 7

They are settling.