Why is my roof vent making noise?
Short answer. Roof vent noise usually comes from wind: turbines squeal or rattle when their bearings wear, box vents and older metal ridge vents whistle or hum in gusts, and bath fan caps flap when their dampers are loose. Popping or ticking on sunny days is often metal expanding as it heats, and scratching or fluttering points to animals or insects in the vent.
Sounds and likely causes
- Squealing or grinding: worn turbine bearings. Lubrication may help briefly; replacement is the real fix.
- Wobbling or rattling: a loose or bent turbine head, often after a storm or hail.
- Whistling or humming: wind across louvers or through gaps in an old metal ridge vent or box vent. Baffled shingle-over ridge vents are generally quieter.
- Flapping or banging: a bath or kitchen cap damper slapping in wind, or a loose cap.
- Popping or ticking: metal vents or flashing expanding in sun and contracting as clouds pass.
- Scratching, chirping or buzzing: squirrels, birds, bats or wasps.
- Humming on a schedule: a powered attic fan with a failing motor or stuck thermostat.
When it is a warning sign
Noise that starts after a storm can mean a loosened vent, a lifted ridge cap or hail damage. A wobbling turbine can work its flashing loose and begin to leak.
What to do
- Identify the vent type and when the noise happens.
- Check from the ground with binoculars for dents, tilt or missing parts.
- Look in the attic below for water stains or nesting.
- Replace failing turbines or fans, or switch to passive ventilation during a reroof.
Related: wind damage to roofs in Georgia and ridge vent vs box vents.