Why is my roof creaking?
Short answer. Most roof creaking is the wood framing, decking and nails expanding in the day's heat and contracting as the roof cools in the evening, or flexing under gusty wind. It is normal in Georgia's big daily temperature swings; creaking is worth a closer look if it comes with sagging, new ceiling cracks, sounds of movement in the attic, or a recent storm.
The usual, harmless causes
- Thermal movement: a dark roof can get much hotter than the air on a sunny afternoon. As it cools after sunset, the decking, rafters and fasteners shrink at slightly different rates and pop or tick.
- Wind: gusts push and pull on the roof, and long rafters or trusses flex a little. Creaks in wind usually stop when the wind does.
- Moisture changes: wood swells in humid weather and shrinks in dry weather, shifting joints slightly.
- Ductwork and pipes: metal ducts in the attic expand when the HVAC kicks on and can sound like the roof.
- Metal roofs: panels slide against clips as they heat and cool, creating ticking.
Sounds that are not the roof
Scratching, scurrying or thumps, especially at dawn and dusk, usually mean squirrels, raccoons or birds in the attic or soffits. They often get in through gaps at the fascia, soffit or roof vents.
When to get it checked
- New sagging along the ridge or between rafters.
- Fresh cracks in drywall ceilings or nail pops on upper floors.
- Loud cracking during a storm, or after a tree limb hit the roof.
- Creaking from one spot along with a stain or a soft area.
- Trusses that were cut or altered for attic storage or equipment.
Reducing the noise
Better attic ventilation narrows temperature swings, and loose decking can be renailed during a reroof. Read roof ventilation basics and attic heat and shingles.