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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you have ever used soundproofing and if it worked?

32 replies

Isittheend · 05/08/2019 21:58

That's about it really. I love where we live but the bloke next door has been an arse since he broke up with his girlfriend at Christmas. Lots of very loud parties music etc. I got sworn at for asking him to keep it down.
Anyway, we complained to the council and since then there has been no music but his house seems to be the 'place to be after the pub' for a large group of them 3 or 4 nights a week.
It drives me to distraction. So would sound proofing work? I really don't want to move. It is a little village, the children are settled at school etc.
Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 22:15

Anyone? We're sitting here miserable trying to chill and all we can hear is shrieks and talking/ laughter.
FWIW we never heard the previous neighbours (young family of 4). Sad

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coconutpie · 05/08/2019 22:24

Yes it does work. However I'm not sure if it will totally drown out loud music like that. Is he having these parties all night? Surely that is an offence since he's disturbing the peace? Can you complain to the council?

Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 22:29

The music has stopped after we complained to the council yes. But now they just seem to all come in from the pub and chat/ laugh loudly till 3am.

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maltesersgalore · 05/08/2019 22:36

We've used it in the floor to deaden the noise between downstairs and upstairs flats. I won't lie - it's been an absolute pain in the arse to do but has helped a fair bit.
But our problem wasn't excessive noise as such - just normal everyday noise which given there was NO soundproofing/insulation was unbearable!

Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 22:42

Thanks maltesergalore. I'm hoping it will cut out the laughter / loud talking shouting.
DH thinks we should move but I don't see why I should move my children out of school etc just because he wants to have his drunk mates round all the bloody time 😡

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JojoLapin · 05/08/2019 22:45

It works but you need to do every single party walls (expensive) and of course it all becomes redundant in the summer when the windows are open. We did ours in a previous house because of horrid, loud neighbours that were driving me crazy. We moved in the end, despite the soundproofing! Best decision ever.

I feel for you, having super loud neighbours is torturous.

looondonn · 05/08/2019 22:48

Selfish bas**

Sorry to hear this

Why can't he think of others
Especially a family with young children

Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 22:49

Thanks JojoLapin. It is driving me nuts and it got so nasty last time I spoke to him that I can't face discussing keeping it down.
Our living room is about 6m long then there would be the two beds on that joining wall too (3m each).

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Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 22:51

Loondon, it was awful. I was sworn at and the children could hear it all as they had been woken up (again).
He's a knob!

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bluebell34567 · 05/08/2019 22:51

is he a tenant? you can speak to his landlord.

maltesersgalore · 05/08/2019 22:51

@Isittheend voices, laughter, kettle, light switches (I kid you not), extractor fan all barely noticeable now. Really loud voices I can still hear but am slightly more tolerant now as it's not all the time iyswim.

I agree about moving, but I also would have been pushed to move if this hadn't worked as was being driven to distraction! I like my sleep too much 😬

Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 22:53

Unfortunately no Bluebell. His Dad gave him the house. I think that's why they all go back to his. All early 20s so he's the only one who has his own place.

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tilder · 05/08/2019 22:54

We have in horizontal surfaces only. It has deadened the noise but not removed it. Not sure what materials work on vertical surfaces?

We had a similar neighbour years ago. Settled when he got a new girlfriend but distressing at the time.

Iggly · 05/08/2019 22:55

We used it in a couple of rooms and it’s made a massive difference. We wanted to drown out loud talking/tv noises. Not perfect but better.

We went for the most expensive option of a false wall.

Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 22:55

Thanks maltesergalore. I love sleep too! My son wakes easily too unfortunately.

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positivity123 · 05/08/2019 22:59

We had it done. It helped but you can still hear some things but not as loudly. To be honest in your situation you are probably now really sensitive to it so you'd still be disturbed. I'd move. That's what we did and I feel so much happier.

Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 22:59

toddler, his ex came back and we couldn't decide whether to hope they got back together (as it was fine before this) or to hope she'd tell him what a sorry arse he us (because that's what he deserves at the moment).

Iggly, how much depth does that take off the room?

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Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 23:00

Positivity123 if we move it would mean a new school for the children which I really don't want for them. Also we have made friends here.

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MyNameIsRachelAndIWantAPresent · 05/08/2019 23:07

Our friends sound proofed their house because the neighbours had wild sex and kept them awake. Yep - seriously. They were warned by the installers that sound can flow a bit like water, so blocking out at one point might not stop it flowing elsewhere. It worked for them.
I use Bose noise cancelling headphones phones combined with ear plugs and white noise on bad nights. Much cheaper. But no good if you have to listen out for kids.

madeyemoodysmum · 05/08/2019 23:12

How do you do it? What are the different options?

Watching with interest

Justthinkofone · 05/08/2019 23:18

We had it as had a noisy neighbour. Coughing, talking v loud with mh issues and bouts of mh events. Lost 9cm of that bedroom(whole adjoining wall, one room) . It did help a bit but had to also have windows shut as hers always open (smoker) also pretty expensive, a few k from memory. In the end she has quieted down ( better meds and care) but oh felt uncomfortable in that room so that is just the spare. Flowers op, I'd keep written logs of even talking etc that disturbs you unnecessarily and report.
People can be such arses with no consideration. You'd have to declare any issues with neighbours if you were moving. Soundproof first if you can. Hope it gets better

Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 23:23

Thanks justthinkofone. I know it's expensive which is a concern but then so is moving I suppose.

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Original poster
Isittheend · 05/08/2019 23:24

I also keep a diary now of the noise. It's been till 5am and 3am this week. Do these people never sleep!! Confused

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KCM99 · 05/08/2019 23:48

@Isittheend I think you should invest in soundproofing. Call in a few companies and get a few quotes. It'll be cheaper than selling up. Of course you might just find something better in the same school catchment area and be much happier! Good luck.

KCM99 · 05/08/2019 23:48

@Isittheend I think you should invest in soundproofing. Call in a few companies and get a few quotes. It'll be cheaper than selling up. Of course you might just find something better in the same school catchment area and be much happier! Good luck.