I live in a 2 bed modern semi, both myself and my neighbour have laminate flooring throughout our homes. Unfortunately lifestyle habits have created noise pollution for me. I have the thickest underlay, rugs & wear slippers. I don't bang doors or stomp about but they do! They'e driving me insane, they start their nonsense at 11pm until 3am, it's like they live with me! I already wear earplugs but can still hear them. I need a DIY answer to resolve the problem ie is there anything I can spray (eg loft/cavity insulation)into the floor spaces? There are 13 & 9 yr old boys running around from teatime which I fully understand and am patient about but once 11pm arrives, it just so unfair.
2007-02-01 00:16:36 · 12 answers · asked by luckycat 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I have precisely the same problem and know exactly what you mean. Do you rent or own? on both your entitled to 'quiet enjoyment' - check your tenancy agreement and talk to your landlord. If you own, look at your lease - most leases contain 'quiet enjoyment' and some even say that floors must have carpet - if this is the case they are in breach of their lease. Do they own, do they rent? either way, find out who owns the flat and complain. You might have to keep a diary. I rent and my landlord does not give a hoot - so my solution is to move!!
2007-02-01 00:24:22 · answer #1 · answered by Helen C 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well there isnt a whole lot you can do about this problem. when you purchase laminate flooring you must get an underlay for the floor to float on. now the thing is what underlay do you choose. alot of people tend to get the cheepest underlay they can get because they dont know why they would need the good one. even if they are getting a very good laminate flooring. The good underlay will have a sound deadner in it and will make things sound more realistic or deep and hollow like hardwood would sound. they probably have the cheepest one and when you walk on it or have a dog run on it or are a heavy walker you can hear this sound like crazy. its very loud and tinny or clicky. the only thing you may want to think about and if you own the place is looking into a safe and sound insulation from roxyl. but that will cost you some $$ and if your renting then you really dont want that expence one other thing is check with your local by-law inforcer, there are laws in place that prevent people from making loud noises past a certin time. for us here its 11pm to 7am. good luck...if you have any other questions just ask.
2007-02-01 02:05:05 · answer #2 · answered by Ty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi LC,
I could not work out if you have an attached house or a flat above. If it is a house then noise transmission should be minimised by the party wall. The first floor joists will rest in slots within each side of the party cavity wall and this does not normally have insulation fill. These joist slots should be sealed partly to cut down on noise but mostly to stop smoke and fumes coming through if the adjoining property was on fire. (A solution?) It is hard to check this without having the floors up and I have to say that it probably would not make that much difference.
Soft furnishings, carpet, curtains do stop sound echoing around as it gets absorbed. It may help if you can reduce the echo effect in your home.
But you really need to talk to the neighbours as this will fester in you and you will be acutely attuned to every movement they make. It would be a big expense for them to carpet the upper floors, if they were willing, so even offering to help pay would probably not go down too well.
You could explore having the party wall filled with foam or fibre but you will have to suffer the decoration disruption and you should also check with the local authority to see if this is permitted.
Good luck
DWD
2007-02-01 01:06:35 · answer #3 · answered by Dewaltdisney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These suggestions are good.
Consider hanging tapestries on your walls. They really absorb sound. The thicker the better and they are very chic looking.
The spray foam in a can may be of assistance. You could make small holes in your ceiling and squirt the foam into the airspace between your places. This foam hardens into a very tight yet absorbent (for sound) material. It is easily cut for repairs when the day should come that something needs repair in the wall, you can cut it easily with a blade.
I would definitely look into this product. you need to be aware that it expands very quickly so a short shot will fill a large void. Practice in visible space first so that you get the idea. Otherwise if you shoot too much of it into a space the foam can expand so great as to lift a nail head once it's dried. That would normally only affect your ceiling, not their floor.
Best of luck, my sympathies.
2007-02-01 01:52:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is the building your living in. That could give you a clue if they are hardwood. If the building is 50 years old or more then it's a good chance that they are hardwood. You can buy hardwood flooring cleaner at Home Depot. Check out the seams where the flooring butts together. If you are able to visibly see and or slide something very thin into the seam like a razor blade then it's hardwood if not then it's most likely laminate.
2016-05-24 01:28:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An eye for an eye...
Try and watch your neighbours routine then when you've worked out what time they like to go to sleep it's then your turn to start with the noise.(I find hammer drills, lump hammers and electric sanders are the best for annoying noises, but any general DIY sounds will do...try not to have loud music as this is conceived as illegal noise nuisance).
Just play them at there own game for a few weeks...see how they react.
Also, if there kids are 13 & 9 then why are the so called adults so niosy during the small hours? report them to the authoraties for being unfit parents.
2007-02-01 06:18:56 · answer #6 · answered by blissman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you spoken to your neighbours or arent they very approachable? Its a difficult situation but I think you must start there first and give them the chance to put things right.
I can only sympathise with you as when I bought my first flat I found that all the local thieves, drug dealers and rastas lived upstairs. The music went on about 11.00pm and finally went off about 5.00am each night. I was often to be seen driving to my mums at 1.00 to 2.00 in the morning so I could get a good night sleep.I was so terrified that I couldnt complain so I left my home, lost my mortgage and went to live with my father.
Good neighbours are a godsend.
2007-02-01 00:33:19 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont know what the solution is but I know how you feel, b4 I moved I lived in a semi & the people next door had 2 children of similar ages & guess what ...!! One was learning to play the piano & the other the trumpet!! & they usually didnt strike up until about 9 ish at night! So I know exactly how frustrated you must feel, you want to live & let live but within reason
2007-02-01 06:53:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no DIY answer I'm afraid unless you want to make a second wall with battens and plasterboard. The only solution really is to have a word with your neighbours (nicely). If that doesn't work ring your local Council who will send someone out to see you. You have my sympathies, and I really hope you get this sorted. Good luck.
2007-02-03 14:46:21 · answer #9 · answered by Sandee 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
coat the floor with orange glo it is an oil that will get down into the cracks which will put a coating on them and stop the squeaks.I do this every time a floor is installed.Orange glo will not damage the coating either
2007-02-01 00:29:34 · answer #10 · answered by marfanman00000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋