who do I call re: house stuff?

[biblionerd]

DH won't get his ass in gear so I'm trying to figure out who to call (not that he would know who to call anyway). We noticed our house creaks a LOT when it's the least bit windy. It freaks me out. I figured it was just a random obnoxious house noise, but it's getting worse. Today the kids won't even play in the living room. There are cracks running on the top and bottom of where the crown molding attaches to the ceiling in the noisy spot so it freaks me out. 

[charlielove]

Did you have an inspection before you bought the house? I would this a house inspector could check it out.

[dixeedeluxe]

my house is creeky too. and MOVES in the wind. it's been standing for at least 200 years. are there cracks in your foundation? or is it the plaster/drywall?

[biblionerd]

Mar 14, 2014 12:06:51 GMT -5 charlielove said:

Did you have an inspection before you bought the house? I would this a house inspector could check it out.

Yeah, we did. I don't notice if the cracks were here when we bought it. I think it's gotten worse so I don't know how noticeable they were when we bought it. 

[irishsara]

I would think an inspector would have checked your foundation.

Otherwise, a structural engineer can.

[kkfeb04]

I would hope you had an inspection and that it was caught on inspection and they had someone look at it to make sure it wasn't structural.

[dixeedeluxe]

do you still have your inspection report? even if it wasn't structural, it should be noted on the report. they are pretty detailed, from what i've seen.

[biblionerd]

Mar 14, 2014 12:08:50 GMT -5 dixeedeluxe said:

my house is creeky too. and MOVES in the wind. it's been standing for at least 200 years. are there cracks in your foundation? or is it the plaster/drywall?

I have no idea if there are any in the foundation. I would assume that's something the inspector would have noticed and he didn't say there were any foundation issues. The only cracking in the drywall I see is along the top of the vaulted ceiling where it meets the ceiling, and that's where it sounds like the freaking roof is going to lift off. 

[biblionerd]

Yes we had an inspection, and nothing structural was noted. I am 99% sure no cracks were noted except on in our bedroom ceiling, but he said that was from someone stepping on the ceiling from the attic.

[dixeedeluxe]

is it plaster or drywall?

[lolaburns]

I would call a structural engineer.

[dixeedeluxe]

i ask because plaster just cracks sometimes and it sucks. but it's usually not a big deal to live with if you can stand looking at it.

[biblionerd]

and since there were no cracks that I remember I don't know what the inspector would have known about it if the foundation is ok, unless he missed something with the foundation. You only hear it when it's windy and it wasn't windy when we bought it.

[irishsara]

I just asked my H, who is a structural engineer. he said the rules are different for different areas of the house. It also depends on if the cracks are in the middle or at an end of a wall.

ETA: I would probably call a structural engineer to come look at it.  They can at least tell you more in depth than an inspector. 

[biblionerd]

Mar 14, 2014 12:12:51 GMT -5 dixeedeluxe said:

i ask because plaster just cracks sometimes and it sucks. but it's usually not a big deal to live with if you can stand looking at it.

drywall

[Deleted]

A typical house inspection is not going to open your drywall to review connections unless your cracking was serious. Minor cracking in drywall is not uncommon and is not necessarily indicative of a problem - temperature changes and shrinkage can cause them.

If you are truly concerned and the cracks have grown significantly worse, call a structural engineer that does residential inspections. Perhaps you have an overhang with inadequate connection to your wall causing movement and audible racking? Really, it could be a million things and there is no way to speculate. If you are not sure who does residential inspections - call any structural engineering company and ask if they have recommendations. (We have a list of people we recommend).

[Deleted]

I would definitely have an engineer come out that does residential inspections like VS said. It could be something very simple like a ceiling or wall where the drywall wasn't floated properly.

[shevacc]

Definitely call a structural engineer. Home inspectors are generalists since they have to know about so many different parts of a house, but structural engineers are the specialists that deal with creaking/shifting. At least they could give you peace of mind that your house isn't about to fall down. And if they do find a problem, come up with a plan to fix it.

[biblionerd]

Thanks everyone. It seems like the ceiling/roof is definitely making the most noise. I got the kids to come back in the room at least...

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[shevacc]

Mar 14, 2014 13:45:16 GMT -5 biblionerd said:

Thanks everyone. It seems like the ceiling/roof is definitely making the most noise. I got the kids to come back in the room at least...

Awwwww, your kids are so cute, even when scared.

[breezy8407]

Is this a new construction? or just new to you?

Even if you had an inspection, the inspector wouldn't be able to see the footings below the foundation unless they came out to inspect during construction before the foundation walls were built.

[dixeedeluxe]

What kind of roof do you have? We have a metal roof in this house and when strong winds get under it, it BANGS. I'm talking like zombies on the roof banging.