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Up on the Rooftop

Why Is Your Roof Making Popping Sounds?

27 April 2020

Lori Silva

Hearing your roof suddenly make popping or banging sounds can be quite alarming. But should you really be worried about it? If you've wondered if that sound means that your roof is at its end, then here's what you need to know.

Wooden Roofs

Different types of roofs make sounds for different reasons, so if you have a wood roof, this is what you should know.

Wood roofs often make noises because they're contracting and expanding under the temperature changes of the day. For example, as the warm air of the morning sun strikes your roof, it may cause popping sounds as the wood the roof is made out of expands under the heat. In the same way, a sudden cold may cause the same issue, like due to snow or freezing rain.

However, wood roofs shouldn't make popping noises all of the time. You should only rarely notice a popping noise. If your roof seems to make noise every single day or on a regular basis, it may indicate that there's a problem.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs contract and expand in a similar way to wood roofs, but they're a bit more fragile than a wood roof. This might surprise you since in general metal is stronger than wood. However, it's not always more resilient. The metal used in roofs often doesn't expand and contract as readily as wood, so extreme temperature changes can make the metal brittle and fragile instead. If you have a metal roof and you're hearing popping, you should definitely contact a roofer.

Getting an Inspection

The best thing you can do right now regardless of your roof type is to contact a roofer for an inspection. Inspections are often free or low-cost and can provide you with security of mind if nothing else.

Your roofer will examine your roof from the inside (in an attic or crawlspace) and the outside to ensure that everything looks intact and safe. If the damage is found, they'll take a photo and talk to you about it so you can decide how to proceed. In general, it's best to agree to a roofing repair before the damage becomes so bad that a roofing replacement becomes a necessity.

Both metal and wood roofs need to be replaced every few decades, so if your roof is popping excessively it may be time for that to happen. However, with any luck, you'll be able to get a simple roof repair performed that will extend the life of your roof by a few more years.

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