SOUNDPROOFING EMERGENCY?
My landlord has two small kids who live above me and there is no soundproofing. To give you an idea of the level of noise here’s the situation: The oldest’s boys’ bedroom is above mine and the master bedroom is above my livingroom; every day the kids run and jump above my head for hours, in the mornings I can hear the opening and closing of the dressers and closests as they dress; and, I wear earplugs with the greatest sound reduction number of 33, keep the overhead exhaust fan above the stove in the bathroom on, and have the TV volume up very loudly and still I can hear the thumping and running.
What will sound proof my apartment so that I can have peace and quiet?
First, of all what makes you think I haven’t talked with them? Secondly, I know it’s not my responsibility to pay for the physical changes. And, thirdly, moving is NOT an option.
Any and all legalities are not valid as you live in one place and I live in another, and the laws are different for every state or province. There are laws where I live in regards to noise, and the landlord has not brought the structure of the building up to standard. So, comments on this matter are invalid, unless you live in the exact same place as I do.
I want to know what is physically required to dull this noise level to a more livable one.
Tagged with: EMERGENCY • SOUNDPROOFING
Filed under: Kids Ear Muffs
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the only thing I can think of would be to look for a cork base ceiling tile that you can apply where the sound is above you. Cork is a great sound absorber.
first thing why do you want to spend your money soundproofing some one else place - I’d inform the landlord about the noise level and ask them to see if they can hold it down some - then I’lll be looking for another place -
Well if it’s like you say that there are laws and the building has not been brought up to standard - then go to the housing inspector (or who ever) and report them - the law is on your side - but after you piss the landlord off moving may not be an option but you just may have to after your lease is up
It had to be the landlord’s kids right?
Have you spoken to him/her about it?
About how it’s disrupting your life?
Maybe that would help.
But kids are going to be energetic and playful pretty much constantly,
and they do have to make some kind of noise.
You could add another layer of drywall on the ceiling,
or use acoustic ceiling panels.
That would help,
but I don’t know how feasible this is to you.
Personally, I’d start looking for a new, quieter place to live.
If you’re on a lease,
tell the landlord about the noise,
and that it just isn’t working out.
He/She shouldn’t hold that against you considering it’s his/her kids causing the problem.
All the best..
Edit-
Hey lady.
Take it easy.
We’re only trying to help you here…
The reason we thought you haven’t talked to them is you didn’t mention it.
you will have to move. you should be able to break the lease for this reason. They know very well that they lied to you ” by omission” when you rented the place. That is prob why it was empty, they are azzzzeess. It takes to much to sound proof against that noise, you will have to move, just dont forget this lesson. dont live under wooden floors when others live above you. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HEY , YOU THERE!! COULD YELL AT US LITTLE LOUDER !!! GO BACK AND STICK YOUR EAR PLUGS IN. YOU GIVE NO INFORMATION AND THEN EXPECT ANSWERS, HOW FOOLISH !! YOU LIBERALS ARE ALL THE SAME. GEE??, HOW DID I GUESS YOUR POLITICAL ORIENTATION? EASY .
I think your only alternative is soundproof the ceiling, If you have an existing drop ceiling, you can simply put up some new soundproof tiles. You can leave the old ones in place for additional soundproofing. If you don’t have a drop ceiling, you’ll have to put one in, maybe 2 or 3 inches down from your existing ceiling. Soundproof tiles can reduce the noise as much as 40-75%, depending on the quality of your purchase. Good luck.
if you knew what to do…why did you ask, and waste our time?
A friend of mine had the same problem. He built a condo and put tile on the flooring upstairs which caused him to hear them walking in his downstairs part. So if they have tile or bare wood flooring it’s going to be noisier than if there was carpet. Suggest putting a carpet or large area rug upstairs to help block the noise. Kids will be kids.
hi
get them outside and run about there
you are the adult so teach them
The kind of soundproofing you seek is not a DIY project for amateurs.
I recommend you contact a couple of contractors who specialize in the type of work you want done, and get some estimates to present to your landlord since he/she is the one ultimately responsible for the kind of changes you propose.
You added that moving is not an option. How about a lawsuit? Because the kind of work you will probably need done can get expensive.
If it were me, I’d look at moving, it’s going to be a lot less trouble.
First, I already regret answering this question because you don’t want to hear anything but the answer you want to hear. (The fact that you identified this as an emergency situation really intrigued me; I’m not familiar with such a situation.)
Moving IS about your only option. I have checked the International Property Maintenance Code; and there are no provisions for dealing with children acting like children.
Second, any physical changes, in regards to this particular problem would be your financial responsibility; if you don’t want to move, pay for some sound abatement measures.
As far as the abatement measures go, turn down your TV, that annoys you more than it hides any noise (that may be the reason for your blatant crankiness). Your idea of running the fans is a good one; try adding to that by buying a “White Noise Machine” or two. If you really feel the need to invest your money in someone else’s property; get written permission first; then inquire about any permits you may need (and you probably will, since you are dealing with a structure that houses more than one family and are “remodeling” the ceiling, which is a part of a “fire-rated assembly”). The best solution would then be to install acoustical or “hat” channels on the ceiling (with a layer of silicone caulk between the channel and the existing drywall), and then install a double layer of 5/8″ drywall over the channels.
This will not be perfect solution, since some of the sound waves will be transmitted through any chases and down the walls, but it should make a difference.
Maybe you can get your lease modified to include a provision that after a period (5-10 years), or upon sale of the building, the landlord would reimburse you for these improvements.
Or, maybe, he will just say no. It’s his building. (And, eventually you will die, move out, or his kids will grow up and stop acting like animals.)
Third, please accept my apologies for sounding cranky, myself. One of the reasons I answer these questions is to be able to phrase my answers in a way that I am unable to while answering the same questions at work every day; this is my chance to speak my mind while giving the appropriate answers.
What kind of ceiling do you have ?
If you have a drop ceiling, where you can remove the panels, place large flat square cardboard egg crates up top. Clean ones ofcourse.
It may sound silly, but it makes quite an improvement.
No solution is simple… You could try egg crates (the kind that hold a dozen eggs), then a layer of foam of some sort. Then install fabric over that for a nice look? That helped me in a similar situation with a next door neighbor.