Tapping sound in bathroom wall - help!

cls2891

Hi,

I'm hoping someone might be able to help me figure out where this strange noise is coming from! It seems to be coming from my bathroom wall (internal stud wall) or ceiling. I live in a first floor flat, built in 2007. I've lived here for 7 months, and the noise started about 2 weeks ago.

The pattern doesn't seem to add up to the obvious answer of pipes expanding / contracting, so I have broken down the key points below. If anyone has any ideas of what it might be that would be super helpful!

The noise

• Tapping / clicking / popping sound seemingly coming from the bathroom wall or ceiling (internal stud wall).
• When you put your ear to the wall, you can hear a lot more going on than what is audible in the room. Lots of smaller taps, each one different in pitch and volume. Sometimes sounds like crunching, dripping, or someone dropping tiny wet stones.
• Can't hear any rustling, scurrying or munching.

When and for how long

• Duration varies, but mostly lasts for at least 2-6+ hours at a time.
• Happens every day, with no pattern to times; can be morning, afternoon, evening and also throughout the night.

Triggers

• None! Not linked to any activity within my property; not caused by running water, using the heating, having a shower, using extractor fan, or running any appliances etc.
• Due to it happening all times of the day or night, possibly not triggered by temperature either?

What I've tried so far:

• Checked for areas of damp - no water leaks
• Turned of mains water supply - no change
• Turned off all power via fuse box - no change
• Banged on the walls - no change
• Have listened to the wall / ceiling using a stethoscope but it's not picking up the source

 

Ebe_Scrooge

Mouse or small bird that's got trapped in the wall cavity?  We've had that a couple of times.

cls2891

Ebe_Scrooge said:

Mouse or small bird that's got trapped in the wall cavity?  We've had that a couple of times.

Possibly, I can't hear any scratching or scurrying though? And the taps are rhythmic and very loud.

Ebe_Scrooge

cls2891 said:

Ebe_Scrooge said:

Mouse or small bird that's got trapped in the wall cavity?  We've had that a couple of times.

And the taps are rhythmic and very loud.

The ghost of Keith Moon ?

anotheruser

If it's random, it's likely to be something alive or perhaps weather related.

Because it isn't a fixed noise in reaction to something that is happening (like having a shower), going to be more difficult to find the source.
Do you hear the noise on the other side of the wall?

Remember, walls can transmit sounds from other areas of the house (although not that far, so it'll be close).
Also bear in mind mice can fit through gaps that a standard ball point pen can fit through.

DiseasedBunny

Deathwatch beetle?

FreeBear

DiseasedBunny said: Deathwatch beetle?

Unlikely. They are usually active in spring. The sound is also quite distinctive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9E5uWQraSw

danrv

cls2891 said:

The noise

• Tapping / clicking / popping sound seemingly coming from the bathroom wall or ceiling (internal stud wall).
• When you put your ear to the wall, you can hear a lot more going on than what is audible in the room. Lots of smaller taps, each one different in pitch and volume. Sometimes sounds like crunching, dripping, or someone dropping tiny wet stones.
• Can't hear any rustling, scurrying or munching.

 

Strange. Not very loud then. 
Maybe nest building going on. Hopefully not hornets.
I’ve seen what they can build and they’re big, almost a metre wide.

Eldi_Dos

Most likely one of your neighbours has got a new washing machine or dishwasher, although seems like a long cycle.

Rosa_Damascena

PQRST - kudos for the diagnostic approach!!

Ganga

danrv said:

cls2891 said:

The noise

• Tapping / clicking / popping sound seemingly coming from the bathroom wall or ceiling (internal stud wall).
• When you put your ear to the wall, you can hear a lot more going on than what is audible in the room. Lots of smaller taps, each one different in pitch and volume. Sometimes sounds like crunching, dripping, or someone dropping tiny wet stones.
• Can't hear any rustling, scurrying or munching.

 

Strange. Not very loud then. 
Maybe nest building going on. Hopefully not hornets.
I’ve seen what they can build and they’re big, almost a metre wide.

There really big hornets