Sound of debris falling behind the walls?

Question

I live on the top floor of a three story brick building. Since I moved in nearly three years ago, I have heard the sound of debris falling from the ceiling to the floor behind my plaster walls. Whereas previously I heard the sound every couple of months, it's been more common recently--as frequently as every couple of days.

It sounds like chipped plaster falling.

I hear it in two separate rooms, though those are the rooms I spent the greatest amount of time in, so I may not be noticing if it is happening in other rooms.

The noises happen in the wall that is an exterior wall facing west, as well as those that are perpendicular to the west exterior wall, but are interior.

The building was recently spot tuckpointed.

Anyone have an idea of what's causing the mystery noise? It's definitely happening within the walls, as opposed to something outside the building. Any help is appreciated!

The building was built in 1929. There definitely aren't any crawlspaces.

Answer 1

Old buildings don't have drywall. Instead, workers install lath (a series of thin - 3/8" x 1" - boards close to each other). Then, they plaster the lath, and the plaster fills the cracks to hold it up. I think some of the plaster past the lath is falling off as it gets old. Eventually the plaster could start to fall off in places. This is especially true if the foundation has been jacked up or moved recently.

Also, you'll know if it's a mouse behind the wall. It's a distinctive little scurrying sound.

Here's a picture of lath and plaster:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lath_and_plaster

Answer 2

If it's an old building, it could be pieces of the plaster falling down behind the walls. Old plaster was placed on wood lath, and the part of the plaster that squeezed thru the lath dries up and eventually will fall down inside the walls. However, since you mentioned the tuck pointing, it could be old brickwork, too.
You should call the landlord... perhaps some maintenance is needed.
Worst case scenario--the building is experiencing structural distress and may need lots of work!!!!!

Answer 3

1. Forest. 3. Straight Path 7. It's abandoned, fo deffaz. 13. A rusty, brass key. 17. Treasure! 26. Stellar. It seems I took the short-cut on this quiz :| Oh well, onto the results Comfort Zone -- Enclosed Space Straight Path -- Likes known Antique Key -- Respect for the past and old concepts Abandoned Cottage -- Fear of new surroundings Treasure -- Success I think that's very true to my personality, but I'm not so sure that it reflects in my writing, or in my character/plot development. Especially not the bit about the straight path. In life, I prefer things to be familar rather than strange, but it's actually the opposite with my writing. I rarely write in the same genre twice in a row, because I like to challenge myself, and push my creative boundaries. I'm a lot more adventurous with my writing than I am in my own life, I guess.

Answer 4

It would bear checking out. Do you have a maintenance man at your apartment complex? If so, then inform him.

It could be something like birds, making their way into the roof area and dropping stuff as they make their nests. It could also be mice or rats behind the walls.

It is hard to say for sure, just some things I have ran across over the years.

Have it inspected by someone that you find appropriate

Answer 5

Somewhere in the building there has to be a crawlspace. Have someone find it and check out the noise. If it is rodents you can set some rat traps. You will see pooey droppings if it is rodents, if not whoever goes up there will have a flashlight and can check to see if there is a water leak rotting the drywall (or whatever you have). Or some other cause.

Answer 6

I would imagine that its rodents in the walls scurrying about knocking debris loose