If you’re like countless other people, when you hear a strange noise coming from an appliance or system in your home or office, you likely shrug it off and assume it’s probably normal and nothing to worry about. But what may merely sound like a funny hissing or clanking noise right now could actually be a warning sign that the appliance/system itself is beginning to malfunction, meaning you could face costly future repairs if you choose to ignore such noises. It could even pose a major threat to the safety of the entire structure, including anyone and anything it houses.

Below are a handful of noises that we encourage all property owners to familiarize themselves with – that way the moment you hear them, you know exactly who to call and what steps you should take to prevent what could be a small issue now from becoming a potentially disastrous and even hazardous situation down the road.

Running Water When Nobody Is Using It

If you hear water running when nobody is using water or plumbing fixtures in your home or office, it’s possible that you have a water leak. The source of the leak could be as simple as a drippy faucet or more severe such as a burst pipe in the walls, under floorboards or a broken irrigation system. These are all situations you shouldn’t ignore, as water running below your flooring, behind your walls or really anywhere it’s not supposed to go can quickly cause severe, costly damage. A burst pipe or any other extensive form of water leakage can not only inflict extensive damage on your structure and any valuables in the affected area, it can also create an optimal breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Buzzing from Electrical Sources

We all know lights, outlets or switches that hum or buzz can be incredibly obnoxious – but did you know this can also be a warning sign that you have a loose electrical connection? It’s important that you contact a local electrical company as soon as possible to have their experts assess the situation to determine if there is, in fact, a connection problem or any other type of electrical issues that could pose a hazard to you and your family/employees down the road.

Pipe Noises

If your pipes have begun to make noises that sound like squeaking, hammering, banging, moaning, ticking or anything else such as this, it’s a good idea to have an experienced plumber assess the situation at your earliest convenience. While many of these noises may not be major causes for concern, some of them certainly can be, and should, therefore, be carefully examined by a professional to make sure this minor nuisance doesn’t turn into a potentially catastrophic issue down the road; especially if the issue is pressure-related, as these types of problems are particularly known to pose future problems.

Hissing Sounds

If you live in a home with gas and you’ve ever heard a hissing sound or smelled gas coming from around the main line or near the light post outside, it could mean that there’s a gas leak – an issue that should never be ignored or taken lightly. Not only can a gas leak emit fumes that are unsafe for you, your family and your pets to breathe in, it’s also a severe fire hazard – and any sparks in the presence of this gas could result in an explosion and severe fire.

With that in mind, do not – under any circumstances – attempt to fix, turn off or mess with the main gas line in any way, as this can be incredibly dangerous and should be left to professionals who have years of experience handling situations such as these. If you hear this sound, evacuate the property as soon as possible – being extra careful not to touch any electrical sources such as light switches, power outlets, telephones, etc. – and dial 911 from a cell phone once outside the home. During this time, you should also be sure to inform your neighbors as soon as possible, so they too can evacuate to safety.

Whether you simply need some emergency tips or to be pointed in the right direction of who to call in regards to the issue you’re experiencing, or the noisy problem at hand has turned into a more severe issue to the point of needing emergency cleaning, restoration or reconstruction assistance, we can help.

Contact us today to learn about the services we provide or to request emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BMS CAT has been the number one resource for restoring homes and businesses for over 35 years. We’ve built our reputation as experts who get the job done right. We don’t only focus on the job, we also focus on the customer.