Odd noises at the house...

[Sarc]

So for roughly a few months now, we've noticed a bizarre sound emanating from the exterior wall of our daughter's room and we're scratching our heads on what could be the culprit. The attic, wall cavities and exterior soffits have all been checked for openings and critters with no luck.

The sound in question, which seems to occur most of the time in the afternoon/early evening sounds like, for lack of better description, some old guy snoring in the next room. 2-3 "snores" in succession, then nothing for another minute or so.

Since the attic and walls have been checked, the only thing we can think of to turn to next is what lurks on the exterior surface of the same wall. This happens to be where all power, phone, and cable lines connect to the house. Any ideas if this well executed setup is causing my noise?

Thanks in advance.

[Zeke]

What kind of elec service connection is that? !!!!

[Heel n Toe]

Is there a tree branch lying on or touching any of those lines anywhere between the house and where they connect to the pole?

A little bit of wind blowing on it could make it saw back and forth across the line and cause it to resonate like a violin where it connects to the house.

Also check for branches against that gutter shown in the lower left... less of a chance of the same effect, but worth looking (along the entire length of the gutter since the resonance could transfer around a corner and make the noise send the sound through the fascia to the side of the house where the other connections are).

Good luck. Post more pix if that ain't it.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by milt

What kind of elec service connection is that? !!!!

Just about every house in our block is rigged the same way--100+ yr. old houses with wiring setups that look like they were last touched when the neighbrohood got power for the first time. Have tried countless times to get the power company out here to take a look at this. Am I correct that this is their territory to deal with?

[elwood-914]

Originally Posted by milt

What kind of elec service connection is that? !!!!

I live in California but when I visited Boston, I noticed services like this.
My assumption was areas with snow.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Is there a tree branch lying on or touching any of those lines anywhere between the house and where they connect to the pole?

A little bit of wind blowing on it could make it saw back and forth across the line and cause it to resonate like a violin where it connects to the house.

Also check for branches against that gutter shown in the lower left... less of a chance of the same effect

Yes, in fact the two incoming line on the left side pass directly through the canopy of an extremely mature oak. In addition, the lower wire of the two is rubbing against a gable located at the rear of the house.
I think we've found the culprit. Thanks for the help guys..

[elwood-914]

Oh about your question.
What does the noise you mentioned sound like.
It may be a loose connection at your service.
I have run across that one before.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by elwood-914

Oh about your question.
What does the noise you mentioned sound like.

It sounds exactly like some old guy snoring in the next room...

[stomachmonkey]

Fairly standard looking connection for the NE.

[TimT]

That is one scary house connection....

Really scary..

Here the service goes into a weather head... then via conduit to the meter and breaker box..

[notfarnow]

ghosts

don't tell your family! Tell them it's just a gable vent vibrating in the wind

[TimT]

Tell them it's just a soffit vent vibrating in the wind

lol I used to tell my gf and my sisters in laws that those aren't bats..... they are night swallows... lol

[elwood-914]

Is it a continuous noise?
Is it intermitant?
I would go outside when it happens and see if I can isolate it.
Wouln't hurt to have your power company check out those splices.
Could be something else but better to be safe than sorry.

[Crowbob]

At odd times during the day a LOUD alarm clock would go off somewhere outside on the farm. Went on for weeks:

Woodpecker hammering on the steel pole supporting a mercury vapor light by the barn.

[dipso]

A tree mouse, rat, squirrel or some kid of critter using the phone or electrical wires for transport.
Their claws or tail or ? is rubbing on the siding and making the noise.

My 2c.

[imcarthur]

I would say the wire rubbing on the gable.

And there is nothing wrong with the service. Typical cheapass overhead hookup.

Ian

[austin552]

Our house in N.C. is connected just like that also. Are the sounds on the inside or outside or both?

[equality72521]

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

I would say the wire rubbing on the gable.

And there is nothing wrong with the service. Typical cheapass overhead hookup.

Ian

Originally Posted by austin552

Our house in N.C. is connected just like that also.

Well then, just wow. No conduit protection of the service riser. Not only would that not pass any NEC that I know of, it would get your homeowners insurance canceled in the West. I did work in AL and MS for one year and noticed a LOT of mickey mouse arrangements. It's almost as if the trailer park code applies to all residential structures in the South.

[rouxroux]

DAMN!!! That service connection scares me! I hope you've got GREAT homeowner's ins!