| Complaining neighbors [message #87749] |
Sat, 07 April 2018 22:14  |
ABtoJayZ
Messages: 14
Registered: March 2018
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Chancellor |
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I live in a duplex and try to be as respectful as I can with my music volume. My new neighbor complained about the volume of my music. So I've been careful about it. Lo and behold, they're complaining again. There's no way I'm making that much noise. They keep threatening to get our property manager involved. What's a good tool/way to measure noise levels?
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| Re: Complaining neighbors [message #87755 is a reply to message #87749] |
Sun, 08 April 2018 11:18  |
johnnycamp5
Messages: 358
Registered: June 2015
Location: NJ
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Grand Master |
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A db meter.
Will the property manager allow you to make modifications?
Putting up an additional layer of drywall can help dramatically, and it's not very difficult.
A layer of 5/8's adhered (16" on center) with a soft adhesive or "green glue" can work wonders.
Don't forget to remove the few screws that held the sheets up once the glue dries...you want the new drywall layer decoupled from the old wall, and leaving the screws can help create a sonic "short circuit" to the original wall.
Better yet is to frame a wall directly across (but not touching) your shared (common) wall, using flimsy 1-5/8ths metal studs or resilient channel, 2' on center, with 5/8ths sheathing.
This flimsy wall (aside from acting as a large panel bass absorber) will almost completely decouple your room from theirs, except for the attachments at the ceiling and floor.
These points can also be somewhat decoupled using rubber strips (I use cheap 10' lengths of rubber, garage door bottom seal from the depot) above and below your ceiling and floor starter tracks.
In the past, all common/shared walls where always built out of solid masonry, to avoid the possibility of noise disturbance from the adjacent living space, and also to act as a fire stop.
Of course this way of construction is more exspensive.
Good luck!
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| Re: Complaining neighbors [message #99089 is a reply to message #99088] |
Thu, 13 November 2025 00:08 |
Helen
Messages: 60
Registered: September 2025
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Viscount |
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Oh, that sounds really frustrating. I would probably feel the same way. You could try using a noise meter app on your phone to check how loud the music actually is around the house. It will give you a rough idea in decibels. If you want something more accurate, there are affordable sound level meters you can get online.
Something like the Extech 407730 Digital Sound Level Meter, Trotec SL400 or even a simple Cadrim Digital Sound Level Meter would work great. They’re easy to use and can help you see if the volume is reasonable. It might also help your family feel more confident that you’re not being too loud and if the neighbours keep complaining, at least you’ll have some proof that you’ve been respectful because that's what I will do for the sake of my kids to avoid having issues with my neighbours.
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