Sound proof testing of a property

Akademos

Hi All,

is it possible to get somebody come in to conduct a test to check the level of sound proofing in place in a 1920s semi detached house (two floors) flat conversion done in the 1960s for a flat on the first floor? I've had an offer accepted on such a place and am curious to find out.

Who would be the best people to approach for these kinds of tests?

Any thoughts or ideas would be much appreicated.

anselld

There are Companies which perform the tests as they are usually a requirement for modern flat conversions.

However, they would need access with equipment in both properties, ie both sides of the boundary being tested, so potentially ground, first and second floors if you want to test first floor.

So the main difficulty will be agreeing access for the tests. Secondly they are quite expensive (several £100) and I would think pointless for a conversion of that age as there is very little chance that any soundproofing measures were applied.

Davesnave

As you are presumably looking to test the transmission of noise from the neighbouring property and from below, the obvious people to approach would be the occupants of those two properties.

You would need their cooperation before engaging an acoustic expert's services.

Whether you would get this is an entirely different matter, as is the amount of noise they normally make in their everyday lives. It's likely that they'll tell you they're quiet, so there's no need for any tests involving them.

It's not a bad idea to speak with potential neighbours, because their attitude to a friendly call to ask about the neighbourhood may tell you a great deal, but don't expect to invade their privacy as a matter of course.

searchlight123

i had to have this done on a converted house in Dagenham, Essex that needed retrospective Building Regs, (converted around 2010 but bought by me in 2012).


it was a real 'heart in the mouth' time as if it failed it is very expensive to put right. we escaped as it passed by only 2db. yes they need access to both properties and the sound and vibration is measured through the living quarters. the process took a couple of hours and cost circa £500 including the full report a week later.

davidmcn

What are you going to do if it "fails" the test? Improving soundproofing properly often involves work on both sides.

jimbog

davidmcn wrote: »

What are you going to do if it "fails" the test? Improving soundproofing properly often involves work on both sides.

I would pull out of the sale. There are many posts on here about the misery that noise from neighbours causes

societys_child

jimbog wrote: »

I would pull out of the sale. There are many posts on here about the misery that noise from neighbours causes

:huh: No one would ever buy a flat. The op has no idea what the noise situation is like.
Unless you buy a detached in the middle of nowhere, there's always a chance of noisy neighbours.

G_M

I too would pull out.

But I wouldn't use a specialist for the test - just a friend.

Either way, you'd need access to the neighbours' properties, so assuming they cooperate, get a friend to go in with a radio, turn it up loud, and see what it sounds like in your prospective home!

And yes, I'd always knock on neighbours' doors anyway. You'll learn if they are friendly, agressive or simply concerned with their privacy, and if they talk, they'll be more likely to tell you hi=onestly what the property, and the neighbourhood, is like than the seller will.

Akademos

Thank you for your reply.

Can I ask what I should search for on Google to find someone similar to who used?

Akademos

I guess I would need to consider more carefully and see how I feel about proceeding. I suppose I feel it would be better to know beforehand rather than after it is done and dusted.

G_M

Akademos wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

Can I ask what I should search for on Google to find someone similar to who used?

"akademos facebook friends"