Sound proofing

[The PIT]

This is something I'm going to have to get around too sometime. I found one web site in the UK that supplies panels or Matts that can be also be mounted on walls. The cost isn't too bad but it's just getting it done and getting my Computer equipment out of the way.
Yes the soundproofing between the houses is shit you can have a normal conversation through them if you want. I've done this before when I was younger. I presume that in 1926 when the houses were built and the loudest thing was the crystall radio and kids weren't allowed to make a single sound noise wasn't a consideration.
The new neighbours are doing the Ramadam (spelt wrong) at the moment and get up at four O'clock in the morning and start talking which filters unhindered to my bedroom. Kids being kids also make a noise. Wearing ear plugs does the trick but best ones I've found are no longer made. These were comfortable. The others I got work best but tend to irrate the ear I've also got a cold and I'm no getting the build up of ear preasure so plugs are going to be out for the next few days.

[RichL]

Pit, go down to your local branch of B&Qs and try some of this. Its sold for going underneath laminate flooring, but the blurb on the package said it can be used on walls too. I think it gives something like 18db of sound insulation.

Stick it on the wall with some no-more-nails, crossline it with lining paper and wallpaper over the top.
I havent actually used these boards on the wall, but I've used them under the floor to great effect.

[RichL]

And if that doesnt work, wait until they're all asleep, fire up your hi-fi and subwoofer to max volume, and give it a single bass 'boom', then turn it all off and go to bed while next door wonder what woke them up.
Continue until satisfaction is reached

[KvHagedorn]

Originally posted by RichL
And if that doesnt work, wait until they're all asleep, fire up your hi-fi and subwoofer to max volume, and give it a single bass 'boom', then turn it all off and go to bed while next door wonder what woke them up.
Continue until satisfaction is reached

Actually, the best thing would be to get one of those test tone CDs and, when the neighbors are away, ascertain the frequency at which the entire building will resonate and shake. (Also Sprach Zarathustra used to do this to my dorm.. that was fun )

Anyhow, play the test tone at 3AM for about 10 seconds.. repeat at 3:30 and 4.

[Gurm]

At my brother's old apartment, there was a group of middle-eastern types. They didn't get up at 4AM (well, during Ramadan they probably did) but they DID get up pretty early (5:30 or 6-ish) and play their bizarro middle-eastern chanting music really loud.

He and his roommate had learned to tolerate this, but I found it highly unacceptable.

Since they were music school students, they had awesome stereos. Go figure.

"Enter Sandman" running through my brother's old-style Bose speakers (you know, before they got all "we're tiny and shit" they had MASSIVE ****ING WOOFERS), and the 1812 overture running through his roommate's... god, what is that brand with the 'unpoppable' speakers? Where the whole thing sits in a "sock" and has twin woofers that point in opposite directions?

Anyway, I digress. Those two pieces of music, at counterpoint, as soon as we heard the foreigners stirring in the morning...

*sigh*

It was wonderful. I fully expected the cops to show up, but instead we were congratulated later on by the other neighbors.

- Gurm

[The PIT]

Thanks RichL I'll look into that. I suppose I could ask them to whisper. Since I'm been off sick I've been playing a few games of UT from nine in the morning so that should wake them up again. And since it's nine o'clock they can't really complain. Most of time you don't hear a whisper and compaired to some students I used to live next to they're just total angels.
At times the thin walls can a real pain. Ever listened to your elderly neighbour vomiting and shitting themselfs all evening while the your mother and Doctor is holding them up and trying guide them the best they can. Not very pleasant.

[The PIT]

Thanks RichL. Went down to BQ and looked at the sound proofing spec. 26db and 19db with impact. Thats better than some sound proofing companies are selling and cheaper. I shall start the work tomorrow. It'll be interesting to see how it works. It may not of course.

I forgot to mention my Mother was playing the radio loud last night which is normally a sign that one of her hearing aids batteries have gone flat. Normally I tell her somehow I couldn't be bothered.

[Technoid]

Only problem i have is repeated and continuing banging in floors and wall's....

And I have actualy asked my neighboors and they say that they neither do the bangings or hear anything from me ?!?!

I'ts damn strange.....

[The PIT]

It's yer central heating laddie or ghosties and goblins.
Very likely it's your neighbours trying to annoy you for some reason but don't have the guts to be offensive to your face. If it stops when they're out they can't deny it really. If they have young kids they probably chucking things at the walls and the parents if they're innocent may not realise how well it carries.

[Technoid]

Originally posted by The PIT
It's yer central heating laddie or ghosties and goblins.
Very likely it's your neighbours trying to annoy you for some reason but don't have the guts to be offensive to your face. If it stops when they're out they can't deny it really. If they have young kids they probably chucking things at the walls and the parents if they're innocent may not realise how well it carries.

No young kids, same thing all year, and I did think it was funny that Im the first tenant to last more than 6 months in this apartment for more than three years

[The PIT]

Well is it the same neighbours??
Do you own the place or rent it??

[Technoid]

Eight apartment house, two floors, they all share the same inner wall.
I’ve spoken to all on my “side” of the house and apart from an old lady who is deaf no one has heard anything either from me or the other tenants….
I know that the about my deaf neighbour because one of the other neighbours said that she had told them that when she moved in three years ago and they should inform her if she had the TV on to high.
Nether they or I have ever heard anything of that sort (tv, radio voices)
I on the other hand hears all the banging and slamming

The apartments are all on a renting basis…

I found the copies of the apartments deeds in a drawer in the kitchen all four of them for the last three years….

No one else stayed longer than six months

But it’s not like I think the apartment is haunted by something creepy
Actually the bathroom is haunted but it’s not that cowardly thing that bangs on the walls. (So I’m still curious on WTF the noises are)
My brother found that out when he was to lazy to turn on the lights
Strangely enough I have never been disturbed while I am sleeping

The site of the apartment buildings is almost surrounded by the most creepy forest I have visited, and that is in the day

Walking around late in the evening is like visiting a cemetery….

And the last remark is from my sister, a true non believer

[The PIT]

Have you read Night Shift by Stephen King. Read Jerusalems Lots that'll tell you what the banging is.
Alternatively you've upset the Ents in the forest and they've got the trees banging on your walls which by a strange acoustic effect sounds like it's coming from the inner wall.

It'll be something logical it's just a case of finding it.

[Technoid]

Sorry, I have been trying to find "logical" solutions for the last year

No trees nearer than 20 feet

Haven't read those particular books but I can tell you that I would not be surprised if the new houses and apartment houses that are being built will be partly empty....

They are constructing new houses and apartment buildings like crazy....

On the other hand these apartments don't seem to stay rented for long

Lots of the other apartments are empty despite the fact that there is a big need of apartments.

I'm not really bothered by it
I'm also one of the only persons that wash in the laundry room time “21-24”
Strangely it’s always free

[The PIT]

Friendly ghost if it lets you go to sleep. Sounds like something goes off on a timer.
Night shift is a collection of short stories and Jerusalems lot is one of them. That also involves a strange wood.
The Ents are the sheperds of the forest and I've got that from the Lord of the Rings.