'Tis the season to be scared, and if you've been watching a lot of horror movies recently, you may be wondering where all those creepy noises your house makes are coming from. Don't worry — they're probably not ghosts or serial killers hiding in your closets and dark corners. (Probably.) However, some noises can signal problems in a home's maintenance that should be fixed before winter. Here's what some of those spooky noises might mean:

• Bubbling: It could be that a coven of witches have taken up residence in your basement. Or it could be that sediment has accumulated in your water heater and is bubbling to the surface, which means that the heater should be flushed out and may be in need of repair.
• Clanking: Unless you're Ebenezer Scrooge waking up to the ghost of his business partner in chains, a clanking noise is normal during the period right after you turn on your heating system for the first time. However, this can also mean that the circulator pump in your hot water heater is failing, so it couldn't hurt to have a professional check on it.
• Scratching: This can be a sign of something almost as bad as a haunting: an infestation of mice, rats or even bats. If you hear scratching in your walls, put out traps and call an exterminator ASAP, then make sure to seal off all cracks or holes that critters could use to enter your home.
• Whistling: Rather than a ghost trying to seem innocent as it makes its way through your house, whistling sounds are usually caused by a clogged furnace filter. Changing your filters regularly will keep exhaust from the furnace from spreading throughout the house.

Got noises you need checked out? Contact Alban today for a home inspection.