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problem with siding noise

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by gunzour, Dec 18, 2007.

  1. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    We are having a noise problem with the vinyl siding on our townhome. Whenever it is windy the siding makes noises, including a creaking noise and the sound of a tarp flapping in the wind. The noise is enough to keep us awake and made the master bedroom unusable on windy nights.

    Has anyone experienced a similar problem? Any recommendations on how to get VM to repair it (we're still in the first year)? I am wondering if hiring a home inspector specifically to look at the siding might be worthwhile.
     
  2. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    probably just a piece that has come unlatched. It's nailed at the top, and interlocks at the bottom. Look for a piece that is not consistant with the others. If its just not interlocked, you just bang it back in. If left to flop in the wind, it will pull itself out all together - causing the siding to become damaged.
     
  3. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    We've had VM's siding contractor out 3 times now and they have not found any loose pieces, nor are there any that are visibly out of place. The last guy that came out insisted that the noise is "normal". I prefer to call it "unacceptable". BTW, this is not a new problem. It has been going on since we moved in.
     
  4. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    well the pieces are made to move..for expansion. but shouldn't be flapping, etc. I would say we can hear our siding (vs the wood siding I grew up with) but not really noticeable on our TH
     
  5. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    It may not be your siding. It may be a downspout. Check and see if those are all secured.
     
  6. Lee

    Lee Permanent Vacation

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    At this time and point it looks like you are going to have to do a search during the next windy day that you hear these noises. It could be almost anything at this point.

    Lee j
     
  7. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    I think I know what your talking about, sounds like something flapping in the wind. Try taping or secureing the security tab on your electric meter. That fixed our problem. It would catch the wind between our house and the neighbors, and made a really loud flapping noise. I know it sounds crazy, but it worked.
     
  8. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    Thanks for all of your suggestions, but I have checked the downspout, and yes even the security tab on the meter, and it is none of these. If you stand there when it is windy, it is pretty obvious that it is the siding making the noise. VM's siding people say it is normal. I guess what I am trying to figure out this point is who I should contact to get a second opinion. Someone to listen to the noise or check out the siding installation and tell me what would need to be done to make the noise go away. Would a home inspector be appropriate for this? Or should I contact another siding company?
     
  9. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Vinyl siding is very noisy in windy conditions. That is normal, unfortunately.
     
  10. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

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    This is most likely a rhetorical question, given how Van Metre likes to pack the homes right next to each other (particularly in the Courtyard homes in Southern Walk), but is that side of your house close to the side of your neighbor's house?

    If so, you probably have a "wind tunnel" effect from the narrow space between your homes and there may not be anything you can do about it short of replacing your siding with Hardie-plank or something else that is more substantive (which may not be allowable anyway under the architectural guidelines).
     
  11. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Just an FYI... most of us in SW do already have Hardi-plank. The reason I suggested the downspout is because we heard that annoying rattle too, and it wasn't siding. It was in fact one house's downspout that needed to be secured. Problem solved.

    Which leads to another theory for the OP to consider... maybe it isn't YOUR house you're hearing. It could be one of your neighbors!
     
  12. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    You have probably nailed it right there. We are in an end unit townhome, with another end unit about 20 feet away. The buildings are pretty tall, too, since the basement is above ground. I think that's why the noise is more noticeable in the bedrooms -- higher elevation so higher wind speed. Unfortunately the floorplan has the master bedroom up against this wall, so we are stuck listening to the siding squeaking and moving while trying to sleep.
     
  13. JLC

    JLC Member

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    FWIW, my siding makes a lot of noise (creaking, slapping, etc) in high wind as well. It's been doing this for over eight years and we haven't lost a piece yet. Knock on vinyl.
     
  14. ChrisL

    ChrisL Member

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    We live in the SW Townhomes and I know what you are talking about. Just be gald your siding stays on. 40% of ours came off during the winds about 5 months ago. We are having our 11-month next month and plan to have a home inspection prior to the meeting with VM.
     
  15. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    We had the same problem and had VM came out to fix it since we were within 1 year of moving. That type of rattling is not normal. If it was then EVERYONE's house would be doing it and we'd all hear it ALL THE TIME. No way it's normal. It's VM trying to get out of work again.
     
  16. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

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    The actual problem that we were having was the gutter not being attached to the house firmly enough. It rattled very loud when wind came, but that was it (no siding). Once VM came out to secure the gutter, all the noise went away.
     

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