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Household noises such as squeaky stairs, humming refrigerators and rumbling radiators may add character to a house or apartment, but they can also be terribly irritating. Fortunately, most common noises are easy to eliminate with simple repairs.
Some sleuthing may be necessary to discover the cause of a noise. Be observant and use common sense. Creaks and squeaks, for example, are caused by surfaces rubbing together. Humming comes from vibration.
- A few drops of lightweight household oil or a squirt of lubricating spray will silence most squeaky hinges and the moving parts of other metal items.
- For squeaky wood floors, graphite powder (sold in hardware stores for lubricating locks) or baby powder is a temporary fix. Sprinkle generous amounts of powder onto the floorboards, and try to force it between them with a brush or whisk broom. Then place a drop cloth or newspapers over the area and walk on it until the squeaking stops. Afterwards, wipe up excess powder.
- Have a refrigerator that hums? Musical appliances can sometimes be quieted by slightly repositioning them. This settles vibrating parts or moves the appliance away from surfaces that amplify the motion's inherent sound. With refrigerators, try cleaning and repositioning the drain pan underneath. If your refrigerator's noisiness is due to the motor running constantly (instead of shutting itself off from time to time), vacuum the condenser coils, typically on the rear of the unit. Also make sure the door closes tightly. If it doesn't, clean or replace the rubber seal.
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- On noisy fans, washing machines and dryers, look for loose screws, which allow metal panels to vibrate. If a forced-air heat blower rumbles, replace or tighten the drive belt (a shiny belt is a sign of looseness.) Also, lubricate the motor bearings if they're accessible.
- To stop humming from a fluorescent light, remove the bulb and try tightening the ballast (the transformer inside the fixture) and any other mounting screws.
- If a steam radiator pounds or knocks, place short blocks of wood beneath the end farthest from the inlet valve, which will allow condensed water to drain without blocking steam entering the unit. Also make sure the inlet valve is fully open when the radiator is in use, and fully closed when it is not. If the inlet valve hisses, try tightening the large nut just beneath the handle. If the problem persists, shut off the water to the radiator, disassemble the valve and install new packing material and a new stem washer.
- If pipes thud violently when the water is turned off, quickly turn off the main water supply and open all faucets. When no more water drains out, close the faucets and restore the water supply. This should cure the problem.
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