Calhoun Lake Homes Association

Too Much Noise - Music, TVs and Power Tools!

Dec 15, 1998

Anyone who lives in a common-interest community has probably heard, or felt, the thump of a drumbeat rumbling through the walls. From 1,000-watt stereos to a beginning tuba student, one person?’s music is another person?’s noise. And noise is hardly limited to music - pets, dinner parties, blaring car crashes on television - thin walls and a loud neighbor can drive anyone crazy!

But when noise is transmitted from unit to unit, it?’s not necessarily because of inconsiderate neighbors. It could be due to the structure?’s construction. In older buildings, many noise complaints occur in wood-frame structures - buildings where the floor/ceiling assemblies are made of wood. These wood assemblies generally pass most building code sound tests, even though they fail to block low-frequency noises such as stereo bass, thuds, and foot traffic. Buildings where concrete forms the center of the floor/ceiling assembly are the only ones that protect against these types of noises. Sometimes renovation can address the problem, but the major block to this is often cost. One solution is to build a second ceiling below the original ceiling - if this didn?’t violate building codes or the original ceiling is high enough. Sometimes carpet can be effective. Carpet helps to muffle impact noises, such as something being dropped or the scrapping of a chair. But carpet doesn?’t do anything to help airborne noises such as stereos or TVs. Often times, if numerous residents complain about noise, there?’s a construction problem. If one resident complains, then it?’s more likely to be an isolated incident that requires action on someone?’s part.

But what action? And by who? There isn?’t any fail-proof way to eliminate noise, it?’s difficult to control people?’s activities at all times of day, and the board shouldn?’t write unreasonable, impossible-to-enforce rules such as banning children, music, or television. The most effective action can simply be a conversation between the parties involved. Your neighbors may not realize that their sound is so intrusive. Understandably, people don?’t want to confront their neighbors, especially if the person lives next door. But residents can?’t expect the board to solve the problem. In talking with each other, we may find that the solution is as simple as moving speakers!