Dear experts:

I am a new home owner and know almost nothing about the house. Hopefully you can help me out with this annoying sound.

Recently I heard some dripping sound from the ceiling between ground and second floor. I never heard about the noise before until last week I raised the temperature setting of the heater due to cold weather. So far, I didn't see any water stain on the ceiling or wall. I noticed that the frequency of the dripping sound is higher when the heater is working and get lower when the heater stops.

I am so afraid that it is due to water pipe leak and the noise really drives me crazy. Does anyone have any clue about what it is and how to solve it? Your answer is highly appreciated.

Thank you!

A Nervous New Home Owner!

ballengerb1

Here is my best guess. The dripping sound is not water but materials expanding as they heat. Hot water pipes and air ducts become microscopically larger as they heat up. The noise is caused as they move against each other at different rates. For piece of mind, shut off your water and open a faucet at the lowest point in the house. This drains away all water and water pressure. Turn your heat up and see if the noise starts. If it does, its likely heat expansion.

speedball1

ballengerb1 hit it right on the button. Knocking, popping, creaking and crackling pipes are a common complaint, especially in colder weather. I can tell you what's happening and take the mystery out of it but you're not gonna like the repair. When a draw is made on a hot water line the line expands against a pipe strap next to a stud and when you drain hot water from your tub or shower it goes into a chase that is a little cooler then room temperature. The heat expands the pipe causing it to rub against the stud to which it is pipe strapped. This is the sound you hear. As it cools it contracts and the noise is heard again. To repair it you must tear open the walls and locate the pipe strap that's causing the problem and shim it tight. Most people when they learn what causes it just elect to live with it. regards, tom

ballengerb1

Pipes do make similar noises but I'm sticking with air ducts or hot water baseboard heat. the owner mentioned that the dripping noise is significantly affect when the heat turns on.

T-Top

If you have a 90% furnace it is vented with PVC it will create condensation when running. If it is a long drop from the roof line to the first elbow in the vent you may hear a dripping sound. The vent also has some movement in it due to expansion and will make the same sound.

wluo6129

First, thank you all for all your explanation and help. I do appreciate it!

Your answers are really helpful to me and make me feel much relaxed . Since the dripping sound is more than 1 week and so far no water stain shows, I think your answer about the noise as the expansion of the duct do explain why. I definitely will try what ballengerb1 suggested to confirm this.

Again, million thanks to you and your answer.