Strange metallic sounding clicks / ticks coming from wall

[CompleteDonkey]

I have a very strange problem in that I keep hearing metallic clicking sounds from one of the walls in the living room. The sound happens all year round and happens at all hours of the day. It also happens when the central heating is off (haven't had it on at all over the past few weeks and the clicks are still happening). They aren't consistent and appear to happen randomly.

I've found that I can get the sound to occur by pushing on one particular area in the middle of the wall, but after pushing the wall / making it click, it then doesnt click any more unless you leave it for a while before pushing on the wall again.

I was thinking perhaps it was a copper pipe expanding and contracting, but again it happens when the temperature is stable and there is no central heating on at all.

Anyone know what this could be? I'm thinking I might have to open the wall up to sort this...

 

[Deleted member 174758]

What type of wall is it? Timber stud? Metal framed stud? (the age of the house may be clue, here)

 

[CompleteDonkey]

It's one of the side walls of our house and it appears to be plaster board on the inside, so I guess that'll be nailed onto a wooden frame?
The house was built in 1980 if that's any help?

 

[bernardgreen]

Is it a party wall ?, The neighbours might have hung a clock on their side of the wall.

 

[CompleteDonkey]

No it's not a party wall, there is however a gate hung off the other side of it.
Perhaps this could be causing the clicks? But then how would me pushing against the plasterboard on the inside also cause the click to occur?

 

[foxhole]

So external wall? Pic outside the area?