The sound of buzzing or humming in your walls is a common problem that can be caused by a lot of different things. Some causes are harmless and some not so much, but the good news is that there are many ways to fix it! In this blog post, we will discuss common causes for electrical noise coming from your wall.
The first step in stopping the buzzing and regaining your sanity is to locate the source of the noise. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve got you covered with some pointers to assist you to determine the source of the buzzing sound. Some of the possible causes of a vibrating or humming noise emanating from a wall include:
- The connections within an electrical outlet or switch may be failing.
- The screws that secure the wires to the outlet or switch could be loose.
- If the gas or electric meter is located on the exterior of the buzzing wall, it may need to be repaired or replaced.
- Due to high air pressure, a half-opened air vent on the wall may be buzzing.
- Turn off any ceiling fans to ensure that the hum isn’t coming from them.
- Fluorescent bulbs frequently hum; if any are present, switch them off and observe if the buzzing stops.
- Inspect the wall for signs of bees or wasps nesting.
Buzzing from an electrical outlet
Is it possible to be able to hear electricity? In a way. For example, if the buzzing noise is coming from a wall outlet, the sound you are hearing is most likely an electrical current flowing to the outlet. This, however, is not a sound you want to hear. Unless there is a problem with the circuit, a wall outlet will not generate a buzzing noise on its own.
If there is a loose connection or bad wiring, a wall outlet will buzz. A loose connection is usually caused by the plugs that hold the wiring for the outlet becoming loose over time. If you live in an older home and believe you have a loose connection, the outlet must be replaced.
If you recently moved into a new home or had any electrical work done, it’s conceivable that the outlet was not properly wired. Reversed polarity from bad wiring could be generating the buzzing sounds, especially if the buzzing becomes louder as additional items are plugged in. A reversed polarity outlet is a dangerous scenario that necessitates the quick assistance of a skilled electrician.