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Noisy neighbours!

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Tinkerpuss | 09:20 Sun 03rd Jun 2012 | Home & Garden
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Can anyone suggest a way I could reduce the noise I hear from my neighbours? I live in a semi-detached house and the living room wall is so thin. I can hear the woman next door constantly shouting and swearing at her 3 young children.
I have seen some very expensive panelling but I don't need recording studio silence.
I would actually like to sell my house as it is too large for one person but in this economic climate I can't see it selling in the near future.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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It depends on how handy you are - or you can get somebody in to do it - but I found that fixing one of the gyproc thermaline products to the wall (they stick on with plaster-like adhesive) and plastering / decorating over worked very well. I filled the bedroom alcoves either side of chimney breast in this...
09:28 Sun 03rd Jun 2012
Can you report them? I had the same problem with a guy that lived in the flat upstairs from me. He was a tennant so I reported him a few times and he eventually got eveicted (other neighbours also contacted the police)
It depends on how handy you are - or you can get somebody in to do it - but I found that fixing one of the gyproc thermaline products to the wall (they stick on with plaster-like adhesive) and plastering / decorating over worked very well. I filled the bedroom alcoves either side of chimney breast in this way.
http://www.british-gy..._thermaline_plus.aspx
Try one layer - if you wanted to be extra sure you could then fix an off-set layer of ordinary fire resistant plasterboard on the top of that, and that should baffle the noise that isn't transferred through floor joists.
I agree that the products marketed for domestic soundproofing are very expensive, and probably overkill for the solution you want.
I would try and remain anonymous if you live alone. Could you slip a note through her door when they are out saying the whole street can hear her swearing and shouting or something to that effect.
Would they pay any attention if you had a quiet word with them? Not nice to have to listen to this, but perhaps they don't realise just how thin the walls are and that you can hear every word.
Have you got room to put a bookcase on that wall?
Tell them how thin your dividing walls are and that you can hear all their private conversations.
If you are thinking of moving it is not a good idea to report them. You would be obliged state in you sale documentds that there is a dispute.

You do not say what the existing wall is made of. It is normally breeze blocks which is quite good at stopping nose. However I agree with mosaic. It should not be too difficult a job for a reasonable DIYer to put up more insulation. Depends what you call expensive to solve what is a very stressful situation. Staff in stores like Wickes and B&Q are normally quite good at giving unbiased advice.
I sympathise, Tinkers, but even expensive panelling isn't likely to stop all noise getting through. It's often been likened to water, in that it finds the smallest hole to get through.
I could easily give you some specifications for modern acoustic separating walls, but the processes would be either (a) costly, or (b) disruptive.
First off, what's the age of the house?
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Thank you all for your advice. I have never spoken to my neighbour and doubt if letting her know by whatever means, this would change anything - she obviously has an anger problem.
Mosaic's solution sounds the most practical - I cannot expect complete silence from a house with 3 young children, it is the mum who is the problem. The only reason I am considering moving is because of the noise and this solution would be much less expensive!

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