Drywall pops and creaks when you push on wall

Hello All,

I would appreciate your advice. I live in a home that was built in 2004 (finished in September). About 3 years ago, I started noticing creaks and pops when you walked across certain floors (they seem to be within the walls). After I would walk across the floor once, the poppngp and creaking would stop (usually when you walk across first thing in the morning), but it will return later after the area has settled. I don't think that this is structural, but I am wondering if this is common.

I am also wondering what the solution is. I don't have many "nail pops' (I think that screws were mostly used), and I don't have many cracks.

I am not sure that enough drywall screws were put into the walls, though ... would adding more drywall screw be a solution? It is almost as if the studs are moving within the walls creating the popping.

Thanks for any input and experience w/ this popping / creaking when a wall is pushed on.

 

I would say you need to isolate the problem.

- Which floors, and how is the structure different in these areas? At this point, I must assume this is structural, and that there is a floor(s) below the walking surface. Do you have engineered joists? This wouldn't happen on a slab.


- You say the home was built in 2004. Have you verified there is no Chinese drywall? This is before the 2006 to 2007 period but I would still make sure.

The nail pops that you do have - - are these located near the ceiling height? And do you have a steep pitch roof?