Neighbour loud noise - what do you think could cause it?

zzzt

My neighbour on one side of terraced house is an old man, I think he is in his late 70s or early 80s. Never had any noise or problems from him.

Last week at night there developed a very loud drilling noise that sounded like it was coming from his bedroom. I thought he might be doing DIY, except this noise was happening at 3am. I then thought, maybe it's his boiler or something. It sounds like somebody drilling the street with a pneumatic drill and is very loud.

Even though it goes on all night, I eventually got used to it, since it's a fairly consistent noise. Also, in the back garden is a gurgling noise like a pump forcing water somewhere, not sure if it's related.

Last night, there was a new noise on top of it that was even louder. I couldn't hear my own TV downstairs because of this noise coming from his upstairs.

When I went to bed, it was very difficult to sleep, and this noise was irregular, and wasn't always there. Sometimes it would dissipate into only the old drilling/vibration noise, and then 10 minutes later it would start up again. It continued pretty much all night, and then all day today.

It's kind of a rhythmic noise, like snoring, except that the noise level of it is so high. It genuinely sounds like somebody is moving a very heavy table backwards and forwards on a hard floor once every second.

When I have talked to him before he is very deaf and can't really hear me. I have thought about knocking on his door and asking about it, but the reason I'm reluctant is that I suspect it might be some kind of medical equipment, probably breathing equipment since the rhythmic nature of it matches the in and out of somebody breathing.

Does anybody have any idea what could cause that kind of noise? If it's some kind of breathing apparatus then I can't exactly ask him to turn it off!

I don't understand how he can sleep. If it's that loud for me, it must be like being next to a jet engine for him. I'm trying to think what else could cause a noise like that. Any ideas?

LadyDee

Does he have anybody call to see him? Doctor, nurse, family? If so, I would mention it to them and explain that you are concerned something might be wrong.

Silvertabby

I don't understand how he can sleep. If it's that loud for me, it must be like being next to a jet engine for him. I'm trying to think what else could cause a noise like that. Any ideas?

Because he's deaf? And don't rule out snoring - Britain's loudest snorer was a lady who racked up 111 decibels, which is louder than a jet engine!

stator

Using my x-ray google maps service I have determined that the source of this noise is his new live-in-lover who has a noisy train set he likes to play with at night.

Noises could come from a dehumidifier one of those air bed machines that stop you getting sores?

Grenage

zzzt wrote: »

I have thought about knocking on his door and asking about it

This is your only sane option.

dunroving

CPAP machine. maybe? I don't know how much noise they make, but they would normally be turned on at night. Especially if he sleeps the other side of the wall, and/or the machine is touching something like his bed or bedside cabinet, vibrations might be coming through the wall ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u95rLHl-qY0

rach_k

If he has trouble hearing you, write him a friendly note. You can try to talk to him then if he doesn't understand, get out the note and wait while he reads it so he can see you're smiling, not being aggressive or anything.

calleyw

dunroving wrote: »

CPAP machine. maybe? I don't know how much noise they make, but they would normally be turned on at night. Especially if he sleeps the other side of the wall, and/or the machine is touching something like his bed or bedside cabinet, vibrations might be coming through the wall ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u95rLHl-qY0

They don't get that loud. I sleep in the same bed as my partner and he has cpap machine. It creates a flow of air in a mask to make it easier them to breath.

Yours

Calley x

Aylesbury_Duck

Please go and check on him. He might be in some sort of difficulty.

VfM4meplse

dunroving wrote: »

CPAP machine. maybe? I don't know how much noise they make, but they would normally be turned on at night. Especially if he sleeps the other side of the wall, and/or the machine is touching something like his bed or bedside cabinet, vibrations might be coming through the wall ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u95rLHl-qY0

Either that, or its a faulty oxygen compressor in which case it's an easy fix for the supplier.

I'd forget about writing a note, they're nearly always construed as being passive-aggressive. Just knock on the door and find out.

Jackmydad

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Either that, or its a faulty oxygen compressor in which case it's an easy fix for the supplier.

I'd forget about writing a note, they're nearly always construed as being passive-aggressive. Just knock on the door and find out.

That's what I'd do.
I don't use notes for that sort of thing. (or much else)