Constant “pops”, “clicks” and “bangs!” in ceiling

Hello all! I’m hoping you may be able to assist me as I’m trying to identify what may be causing a very aggravating issue in my home. The home is 25-years old, and had a new, green metal roof installed back in 2011. I bought this home 3-years ago, and didn’t have this issue until recently.

Within the last 4-5 months, I started noticing rather loud “clicking”, “popping”, and “banging” noises coming from various parts of the ceiling throughout the home. I thought initially these noises may be coming from the three large skylights (and they very well may be?) yet I’m starting to think it may be the roof (since it happens in all the ceilings)

I’ve read through other posts, and articles, of issues like mine that thermal expansion is most likely the reason. These noises are practically non-stop when the sun starts heating the home, and start to diminish a bit during the late afternoon when the sun isn’t as strong. During the evening and night, the noises aren’t as frequent, yet an occasional “POP!” happens several times through the night.

What is so odd is that all these loud noises just started recently? I had noticed sounds from the roof before, yet it wasn’t very common. Now, it is literally a chorus of “clicks”, “pops”, and “bangs” from about 8am through around 2-3pm.

Do you think thermal expansion may be causing all these annoying sounds? My home doesn’t have an attic, so could this be due to a lack of insulation?

Thank you for your time in reading through this, and any insight you may have!

Thanks for your reply, Todd! Unfortunately, the Seller only left me with the payment Invoice for the roof, and nothing regarding specifics of what you asked. Just in case others reading my post would like to see, I attached a few pictures in hopes that can provides answers on what type of roof I have (I can email them to you as well, if you would like?)

Yes, all of these “clicks”, “pops”, and “bangs” just started to get to this intensity recently (within the last few months). Previously, I would occasionally hear a noise coming from the ceiling, but thought it was from a falling pine cone or tree branch. The majority of noises come from areas where skylights are installed, so I also thought it may be the skylights? However, now, the noises can be heard throughout the ceilings of the entire home.

I did contact a local roofer in the area, and they didn’t seem to believe all these noises could be attributed to the roof. Yet, I just don’t see what else it could be?

Hi, Todd. I was actually able to locate a paper from the Install regarding some specifics. It states “Feltex synthetic underlayment to the balance of the roof deck. Install Metal Sales 29ga Pro-Panel II Metal roof system, complete with new eave, gable, septic vent flashings, prowl, 70” snow rails, 32” ridge ventilation”. I’m not really sure what all that means, but hopefully it helps?

They had installed a set of snow bars when the roof was put on, and I had a second set installed about 2-1/2 years ago when I had gutter guards installed (additional snow bars were required for the gutter guard warranty). I never noticed any noises when that second snow bar was installed.

It definitely seems like the majority of the noises come from the areas where the skylights are installed (which are in both of the bathrooms upstairs). There’s still noises coming from the ceilings in other parts of the house, yet doesn’t seem as prevalent as the skylight areas.

I’m wondering as well if the skylights aren't a contributing factor, as well as the roof itself? With my ceilings being 12’ vaulted, and not having a ladder that high, it’s almost impossible for me to really isolate the exact area the noises are coming from. Very frustrating.

Thanks for your help on all this, Todd! Due to the roof pitch being pretty steep, I can really only get on a ladder and look at the roof on the front side of the home. From what little I can see, there doesn’t appear to be any noticeable broken or loose screws. I wish I could get up there and do a full visual inspection, yet I just don’t have the safety equipment to do so.

With the underlayment hopefully not being an issue, do you think it may be that the roof decking may have rotted, like you mentioned in a previous post? Is there a way that I could visually tell if that were the case? Would it be wise for me to call the Company that installed this back in 2011, and see if they could come give it an inspection?

Up here in the mountains, it seems every home has a metal roof. I’ve never had one before, but I assumed with it being metal that it would last a long time and be “maintenance free”. With mine being 9-years old, do issues like what I have happen? Do screws and fasteners tend to come loose over time, and need to be replaced?

I do agree that the skylights may be a culprit as well. Even though I do hear noises in the ceiling in areas well away from the skylights, much of the “cracking” and “popping” noises are in the vicinity of the skylights.

Thanks, Todd. I just gave the Installer a call, and have scheduled an inspection. He said that an Inspection/preventative maintenance should be done every 5-years, and I don’t have any records of that being done since the install in 2011.

I’ll follow-up after the inspection to let you know what the results were. I’m crossing my fingers that it results in a fix that will finally stop all these noises. And I have a feeling these 25-year old skylights may need to just be replaced as well.

Thanks again for all your help, and I’ll let you know how it goes!

Hi Eric, Todd

I have the exact same issue. Its definitely not the skylights but due to thermal expansion on the roof.
I had the skylight company come and inspect it.
And they identified the noise coming from near the skylight. I have yet to call a roofer but I would suspect the simplest option is to tight or add some further screws and see if that has fixed it.
Did you get an outcome and I would be interested to know what it was.