Soundproofing with pics

[Yorkshireman]

Has anyone successfully soundproofed there flat or home,i live in a ground floor of 4 floors and it is terrible,we can hear the flat above using the loo,showering,closing and opening drawers,sockets being used,washing up,preparing food,walking,talking,having sex,etc,etc.The smallest noises can be heard.We contacted the builders who did a sound test and they said it passed but would not show us the results unless we paid £300,they have now refused to do anything else.There are big holes in the concrete that separates our flat from the one above and they will not act upon it.The NHBC will not deal with noise transference and it has just come to a dead end.

[fred]

I would have thought if there was holes in the concrete, it would not comply with the fire safety side of building regs? Maybe that could help?

Egg boxes are supposed to be good, if you could be @rsed to cover your ceilings with them & then plasterboard.

Having lived in a second-floor apartment, several years ago, with a student with a drum-kit upstairs, I would never have someone living above me again.

Hope you can get it sorted - I know how awful it is

[Jen]

Perhaps get in touch with the council? I don't know specifically in a case like this, but they do have noise monitors for use in the case of noisy neighbours and anti-social stuff like that. Maybe it would apply here too? Or the CAB could help: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

I once lived in a mid-terrace, noise/music from both sides, kids playing out front and back - complete hell for me!! I hate not being able to get away from it and have much sympathy for you

[mybad]

Your best solution would be to move, harsh but true .

[Moggy]

Have you tried asking for the results of the survey by writing a letter or over the phone ? Most companies will claim 'administration charges' to copy and post any information....BUT the Freedom Of Information Act or Data Protection Act may be of help. You aren't asking for a survey to be carried out, just to have a copy of the results of one already done.

Get the £300 quote in writing then send a copy of it to the local council/government body.

[farzooks]

If there are holes in the concrete, anything else you do will be rendered null and void by those er... voids.
Normally, if the walls and ceilings are complete, but too thin, what you must do is add mass and isolate it.
This can involve building stud walls inside of the main walls and filling the gaps with heavy or acoustic material - some of it is very pricey indeed.
Ceilings are a bugger to isolate, but not impossible. Basically, the same principle applies, a second acoustic barrier, uncoupled from the original ceiling.
It all makes a huge difference, but isn't cheap and as I say, if there are existing holes, it all gets undermined by the easy path the noise takes.

[Yorkshireman]

The people upstairs are not noisy,the things we can hear are just everyday activities,we should not be able to hear.We sent photos of the holes but they haven't replied bearing in mind we have been fighting this for 3 years.The last time we wrote to them they just sent back copies of every letter that has been sent saying they can't do nothing else.We thought of selling but it is that bad if someone came to view and upstairs was washing up or on the loo they would hear it and walk back out.For instance sunday nights we know she does the ironing and puts it away in the bedroom drawers,we can hear everytime she puts the iron down and opens and closes the drawers.It really is taking it's toll on us,we moved here on the ground floor because of my ill health but now we feel trapped.

[Yorkshireman]

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3446651&highlight

A link to the holes in the concrete

[Jen]

Who was your house builder? And how old are the flats? As I understand it (used to work for Lovell CC), the builder's warranty lasts for 2 years from when the first owner moved in, after that it's the 10 year NHBC warranty. I should think great big holes in the concrete or whatever those are would at least warrant some sorting out!

[Yorkshireman]

The builder is Wimpey,the flats were built in 07,NHBC have refused to act as they don't deal with noise transference and the leaseholder said they have to divide the cost of repair by the number of flats on the complex,this means unless the cost of repair is over £100,000 they will not repair,so as you can see we are stuck in a flat that is not fit for purpose.

[Jen]

Ouch Can you surreptitiously cause another 90k worth of damage?

[mybad]

Did you not have a survey on the property before you bought it .

[brysoni23]

Could you not speak to the people above and tell them your concerns and say that you will pay to insulate the floor to benefit you for the noise and keep their flat warmer

[Brambles]

I do not think your primary problem is sound but structural and a fault in the building. The sound issue is secondary. Have the builders and NHBC been made aware of the cracks and what is apparent movement of the concrete/floors opening up. Have you got any better pictures you can post in here.

[Yorkshireman]

We had a survey but all this was behind plasterboard.it's not the people above they are going about there daily lives,the NHBC have the photos and will not do anything.