Mystery sound driving me mad!! Leak or downpipe??

goldbyron

Hi

I posted a couple of weeks ago as during a very heavy rain fall I heard this slow hollow drip from above my bedroom ceiling in the area of the eaves very close to where my downpipe is. The sound was like a hollow drip (bit like when rain hits the plastic window sill) and was about 5-10 secs apart and stopped immediately when the rain went from heavy to moderate so no residue dripping as would be expected from a leak. Absolutely no sign of water in the roof space and there are no holes in the insulation felt. Strangely I could hear the noise (albeit quieter) in the room directly below where downpipe runs but no noise in the roof.

Got a roofer out and he found one broken tile and some moss near area of noise which he fixed....

All quiet for two weeks even in moderately heavy rain. Then had a massive downpour this afternoon and could hear the noise again right near the downpipe area. Went into the roof and again no sign at all of water or gaps in the felt. Could barely hear anything unless I literally put my ear into the eaves where the downpipe runs. Could hear the noise very faintly echoing as opposed to a drip.

So I am very perplexed!! My downpipe is completely vertical from the roof to the drain so no shoe which could make this noise. Also no idea why suddenly I am hearing a noise after four years. But no sign of water damage, broken tiles, gaps in roof felt etc apart from this v annoying noise in very heavy rain. As I hear the noise in the room and room below, but not the loft, can't see how it is a leak in the roof.... Am I going mad or has my downpipe somehow developed an irritating habit and why does this happen only in heavy rain and stop immediately as the rain falls off???? Any suggestions....

Southend1

I have the same issue too! Drives me round the bend. Hopefully someone can explain!

ceredigion

Is there a window nearby ? Thinking it possibly water dripping on to the cavity tray.

goldbyron

Hi Southend, glad I'm not alone! How long have you have this for?

Yes Ceredigion there is a window nearby and I have considered this. But The noise doesn't seem to be coming from the area where the cavity tray would be, it seems to be higher up and along slightly.

Would there be a way of testing if it is the cavity tray? Also would this mean there is a leak as the roofer said there is no sign of any more broken tiles etc....?

ttoli

Is anything lodged in the downpipe , Moss , dead pigeon etc ?

goldbyron

LOL! Well there is no water overflowing from the gutters or pipe and don't think roofer say any blockage but can't rule it out as I didn't ask... How would this cause the noise?

ttoli

goldbyron wrote: »

LOL! Well there is no water overflowing from the gutters or pipe and don't think roofer say any blockage but can't rule it out as I didn't ask... How would this cause the noise?

Surely any obstruction within the downpipe would cause a different noise, especially in heavy downpours when there's an obstruction ??

Southend1

goldbyron wrote: »

Hi Southend, glad I'm not alone! How long have you have this for?

Yes Ceredigion there is a window nearby and I have considered this. But The noise doesn't seem to be coming from the area where the cavity tray would be, it seems to be higher up and along slightly.

Would there be a way of testing if it is the cavity tray? Also would this mean there is a leak as the roofer said there is no sign of any more broken tiles etc....?

On and off since I moved in three years ago. Only in heavy rain. It sounds like something's dripping in the loft. I even went up there once in a panic to check thinking there would be water everywhere but it was bone dry. We had heavy rain Last night and I noticed it then too.

goldbyron

Hi ttoli - I will try and have a look at obstruction, you're right it is possible. Wish I had some ladders!!

Southend - that sounds identical to me.... I am relieved I can't see any water or water damage but at least that would identify how to stop the really irritating noise. Wouldn't mind but I sleep right near the area. I think if it was any other room I wouldn't have even noticed....it rained all day yesterday and it only dripped for about 5 mins when particulary heavy so it was only my obsessive checking that caught it in the act. What's so odd is how it stops immediately as soon as the heavy rain slows. Any leak Ive had in the past (had lots of weird ones) still drip for a while. I am also perplexed at how I can hear it as it would need a drop and there is barely one in the eaves. Is your dripping noise also at end of the room?

Southend1

It's hard to tell as I have heard it from both front and back bedrooms!

Ectophile

If the downpipe for the gutters is very nearly vertical, it could just be water dripping straight down and hitting the bottom. The long tube then amplifies the sound, so you hear every drip.