Good day
We have been living in a new condominium for six months. It was traditionally built with concrete ceilings, shuttered masonry with external insulation.
We wonder if it is normal to hear the upstairs neighbors walking around, water running, and the washing machine vibrating, etc. Shouldn’t this be avoidable in a building from 2012 with today’s standards?
According to the plans, the construction is as follows: 24 cm (9.5 inches) concrete ceiling, 4 cm (1.5 inches) insulation (of which 2 cm (0.75 inches) is impact sound insulation), 7 cm (2.75 inches) anhydrite screed, and finished with tiles or parquet.
The plans also show that a “Swedish cut” was made everywhere at ceiling/wall junctions, and the walls rest on BASYDIL LDS sound insulation supports.
We are now almost ready to carry out a noise measurement because the general contractor and the architect deny any issues. They claim it was built according to standard 181.
Can anyone share similar experiences or possibly recommend an acoustician in the Solothurn area?
Thank you very much
We have been living in a new condominium for six months. It was traditionally built with concrete ceilings, shuttered masonry with external insulation.
We wonder if it is normal to hear the upstairs neighbors walking around, water running, and the washing machine vibrating, etc. Shouldn’t this be avoidable in a building from 2012 with today’s standards?
According to the plans, the construction is as follows: 24 cm (9.5 inches) concrete ceiling, 4 cm (1.5 inches) insulation (of which 2 cm (0.75 inches) is impact sound insulation), 7 cm (2.75 inches) anhydrite screed, and finished with tiles or parquet.
The plans also show that a “Swedish cut” was made everywhere at ceiling/wall junctions, and the walls rest on BASYDIL LDS sound insulation supports.
We are now almost ready to carry out a noise measurement because the general contractor and the architect deny any issues. They claim it was built according to standard 181.
Can anyone share similar experiences or possibly recommend an acoustician in the Solothurn area?
Thank you very much
seiler schrieb:
Hi Wilma 66,
You are responsible for providing proof of this noise level. Values alone won’t help. Get an expert to carry out precise measurements, and with that report, you can then confront the architect.
Good luckI completely agree. It’s not very effective to try to confront the landlord using cheap devices you bought yourself, because they will want to see measurements done by a qualified expert. It’s also possible they will hire one themselves to prove that the noise is not that bad.
Thank you for all the replies and advice.
In the meantime, we have had a ceiling measurement conducted. The result is just within the standard. However, this standard only applies to sounds above 100 hertz, and our problem is with the low, deep tones below 100 hertz, which cannot be measured precisely and are therefore not covered by the new standard. Our acoustician believes that the issue is not caused by the ceiling but by the plumbing installation shafts, as we hear the most noise near these shafts. The problem is that this cannot be measured, and it is extremely difficult to determine the exact source of the noise. So, despite the measurement, we are still at square one, and the architect remains unwilling to compromise. By the way, in his view, it is normal to hear people walking on the ground floor when living in the attic.
Now we are left with only two options: pursue legal action or sell the property again.
In the meantime, we have had a ceiling measurement conducted. The result is just within the standard. However, this standard only applies to sounds above 100 hertz, and our problem is with the low, deep tones below 100 hertz, which cannot be measured precisely and are therefore not covered by the new standard. Our acoustician believes that the issue is not caused by the ceiling but by the plumbing installation shafts, as we hear the most noise near these shafts. The problem is that this cannot be measured, and it is extremely difficult to determine the exact source of the noise. So, despite the measurement, we are still at square one, and the architect remains unwilling to compromise. By the way, in his view, it is normal to hear people walking on the ground floor when living in the attic.
Now we are left with only two options: pursue legal action or sell the property again.
K
Karl-Steffen-18 Apr 2014 11:26Hi Bern 66,
That’s really unfortunate, but I think legal action won’t help if these measurements don’t exist. So the only option left is to sell. It’s really a pity.
Best regards
That’s really unfortunate, but I think legal action won’t help if these measurements don’t exist. So the only option left is to sell. It’s really a pity.
Best regards