Good morning,
In July 2015, we purchased a townhouse through a developer. Each house has its own walls, and there is fire protection wool between the houses. There is no basement.
We moved in at the end of 2016. We quickly realized that we could clearly hear construction work from the neighboring house. Other neighbors, who also live in the new row houses and visited us, confirmed that they did not hear anything from their neighbors.
After the work in the neighboring house was completed and the neighbors moved in, we could clearly hear their footsteps, running children, sometimes voices, flushing toilets, and closing of doors. In our house, the neighbors’ footsteps sound like dull thuds, as if someone is stomping above our heads. On the ground floor, we barely hear anything from the neighbors. However, as soon as they are on the first or second floor, there is a rumbling noise. The direct neighbors have listened as well and, in my opinion, were also “shocked.” They can hear us walking lightly, but we are very quiet, have no children yet, and currently use only about half of the house, mostly the ground floor. We perceive the rumbling as a disturbance—actually, as noise pollution—because we cannot simply stop the issue.
After consulting with our lawyer, we commissioned an acoustic expert to conduct sound insulation measurements. As laypersons, and without knowledge of the building’s structural details, we had to determine measurement points in our house and the neighbor’s house for the sound insulation tests (using a floor hammer and loudspeaker). Unfortunately, these values were not conclusive enough, so the developer must take action.
After consulting with an engineer responsible for the overall building planning, who was involved on the sidelines, the problem can only stem from a sound bridge. He suspects it relates to the floors, which were poured over precast concrete slabs.
Selling the house after such a short time would cost us an incredible amount. In fact, selling is not really an option since we have invested so much energy, time, and care into the house, and we generally feel very comfortable in the area.
Now we are considering having the houses cut apart using diamond wire technology to break the sound bridges. We simply don’t know what else to do. Perhaps someone here has heard of a similar problem or can offer advice on identifying the cause.
We hope for your help…
THANK YOU in advance and best regards
In July 2015, we purchased a townhouse through a developer. Each house has its own walls, and there is fire protection wool between the houses. There is no basement.
We moved in at the end of 2016. We quickly realized that we could clearly hear construction work from the neighboring house. Other neighbors, who also live in the new row houses and visited us, confirmed that they did not hear anything from their neighbors.
After the work in the neighboring house was completed and the neighbors moved in, we could clearly hear their footsteps, running children, sometimes voices, flushing toilets, and closing of doors. In our house, the neighbors’ footsteps sound like dull thuds, as if someone is stomping above our heads. On the ground floor, we barely hear anything from the neighbors. However, as soon as they are on the first or second floor, there is a rumbling noise. The direct neighbors have listened as well and, in my opinion, were also “shocked.” They can hear us walking lightly, but we are very quiet, have no children yet, and currently use only about half of the house, mostly the ground floor. We perceive the rumbling as a disturbance—actually, as noise pollution—because we cannot simply stop the issue.
After consulting with our lawyer, we commissioned an acoustic expert to conduct sound insulation measurements. As laypersons, and without knowledge of the building’s structural details, we had to determine measurement points in our house and the neighbor’s house for the sound insulation tests (using a floor hammer and loudspeaker). Unfortunately, these values were not conclusive enough, so the developer must take action.
After consulting with an engineer responsible for the overall building planning, who was involved on the sidelines, the problem can only stem from a sound bridge. He suspects it relates to the floors, which were poured over precast concrete slabs.
Selling the house after such a short time would cost us an incredible amount. In fact, selling is not really an option since we have invested so much energy, time, and care into the house, and we generally feel very comfortable in the area.
Now we are considering having the houses cut apart using diamond wire technology to break the sound bridges. We simply don’t know what else to do. Perhaps someone here has heard of a similar problem or can offer advice on identifying the cause.
We hope for your help…
THANK YOU in advance and best regards
H
HilfeHilfe9 Aug 2017 10:46oh dear
B
Bieber08159 Aug 2017 13:09When was the handover of the house? Did you report the defect? What does the developer say?
Hello Hoodies
There is definitely a sound bridge present.
Do you perhaps have any photos taken during construction? With a precast concrete slab, concrete can quickly extend all the way to the neighboring house's tile layer.
Do the neighbors have the same issue? They should. Because if the sound reaches you, it also reaches them.
I would talk to them and try to identify where the sound is most audible.
Steven
There is definitely a sound bridge present.
Do you perhaps have any photos taken during construction? With a precast concrete slab, concrete can quickly extend all the way to the neighboring house's tile layer.
Do the neighbors have the same issue? They should. Because if the sound reaches you, it also reaches them.
I would talk to them and try to identify where the sound is most audible.
Steven
Similar topics