Acoustic insulation

ankspon

Can you get Acoustic cavity wall insulation?.My ground floor flat is terrible,we hear the flat about using the loo,showering,walking,talking,preparing food,washing up,ironing,closing cupboard doors,etc,etc.It really is bad.We contacted Wimpey who eventually did a sound test which they said passed but would not show us the results,how it passed is beyond me.We had a builder remove the bedroom and bathroom ceiling and install soundproofing but the problem is also coming down the walls so it made no difference.It will be too expensive to remove every wall and i thought it would be cheaper to cavity fill with an acoustic foam if there is one.

Kiran

Is it a purpose built block of flats?

shegirl

ankspon wrote: »

Can you get Acoustic cavity wall insulation?.My ground floor flat is terrible,we hear the flat about using the loo,showering,walking,talking,preparing food,washing up,ironing,closing cupboard doors,etc,etc.It really is bad.We contacted Wimpey who eventually did a sound test which they said passed but would not show us the results,how it passed is beyond me.We had a builder remove the bedroom and bathroom ceiling and install soundproofing but the problem is also coming down the walls so it made no difference.It will be too expensive to remove every wall and i thought it would be cheaper to cavity fill with an acoustic foam if there is one.

I've never heard of removing walls to soundproof.You can use soundproofing material and plasterboard to build internal walls within the walls though.I'm currently having that done in my house on the party wall (upstairs and down).It's going to take 4 inches off the party wall but the rooms are big enough for it not to be an issue.

I'm not sure if there is any way to do it in the cavities though.Have a google,you'll find many soundproofing companies and suppliers who can give good advice.That or a good builder

I imagine the same thing would help with noise coming from above and down through the walls as it blocks it coming through the wall.

Norman_Castle

Have you spoken to the tenants of the flat above?. If they have hard floors which are tight against the wall the sound will travel through the wall.

Fire_Fox

Have you read your long lease? Does it say anything about what flooring has to be used? Have you contacted Environmental Health at the local council? They will be able to run their own tests OR extract the results of the previous tests from Wimpey OR mediate with the upstairs leaseholder to change their flooring or even install sound insulation.

"Every council has environmental health officers (EHOs) who can help if there is a noise from premises or a vehicle which is either likely to damage your health or is a nuisance. If the noise is made between 11pm and 7am, it is called 'night noise', and noises above specific levels are prohibited. Find your local council.

The EHO must always investigate your complaint about noise. If the noise is continuing or repeated, the EHO will send someone to listen to the noise and may come out a number of times to assess and record the noise. Many EHOs have 24-hour services, but they may have to deal with other calls before yours.

Having investigated, the EHO can then help in many different ways, for example by:
giving you practical advice about dealing with the problem
lending you noise measuring or recording equipment
persuading the person or venue to improve its record on noise or being more considerate about times. Examples of what could be done include reduction of noise levels, building works to contain the sound better, and notices asking customers not to make noise when leaving the venue and placing limits on times when noise is made

asking the person responsible for night noise to stop making the noise immediately and, if the noise hasn't stopped within ten minutes, giving an on the spot fine, or prosecuting. This method is only available if the noise is coming from a home or from licensed premises
giving a noisy neighbour or venue a 'noise abatement notice', telling him/her to stop. If the venue continues, s/he may be prosecuted, and/or noisy equipment (eg sound systems), can be confiscated by the EHO
closing a noisy venue for up to 24 hours
working with your landlord to resolve the problem, or making your landlord take measures to deal with noise nuisance (eg installing sound insulation)
working with the police if trouble or violence is occurring or expected at a venue."
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/neighbourhood_issues/noise_nuisance

ankspon

It is purpose built by Wimpeys in 07,the tenants above are not noisy party people and the noises we hear are everyday noises but are very very loud,it is like cardboard between us.I know we will hear something but not at the level we can.

ankspon

Is there such a thing as acoustic cavity wall insulation?

shegirl

ankspon wrote: »

Is there such a thing as acoustic cavity wall insulation?

I've had a search and all it comes with is the acoustic insulation for internal use (with a stud wall).

I'll let you know the verdict on how effective that is though,once it's finished.Not impressed with losing 6 inches (rather than the 4 I was told) off each wall!!

ankspon

Thanks i would be grateful for the info

thebaldwindowfitter

http://www.insulationexpress.co.uk/Acoustic-Insulation/Earthwool-Acoustic-Roll.htm
you can get accoustic insulation but you could also get nhbc involved who will have guaranteed the property against defect for 10years at least if its right you will have a second opinion which shouldnt cost you anything worth a try wimpey might just be fobbing you off especially as they wont let you have the results

Mids_Costcutter

ankspon wrote: »

Can you get Acoustic cavity wall insulation?.My ground floor flat is terrible,we hear the flat about using the loo,showering,walking,talking,preparing food,washing up,ironing,closing cupboard doors,etc,etc.It really is bad.We contacted Wimpey who eventually did a sound test which they said passed but would not show us the results,how it passed is beyond me.We had a builder remove the bedroom and bathroom ceiling and install soundproofing but the problem is also coming down the walls so it made no difference.It will be too expensive to remove every wall and i thought it would be cheaper to cavity fill with an acoustic foam if there is one.

Can you get independent testing carried out?

There are regulations that cover the requirements for protection against sound from adjoining buildings. I'd suggest getting the NHBC involved as thebaldwindowfitter suggests.

More information on their web site at:

http://www.nhbc.co.uk/Productsandservices/ConsultancyandTesting/Acousticservices/FAQs/

You would expect that the flats to be covered by the 10-year warranty.

After all ironing is not a noisy activity!