Noise!

Noise!

Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 61 posts · 11 votes
My first tenants moved into the 2nd floor apt above me. I made every attempt to insulate them from us by adding r38 in their floor joist and using resilient channels before the 5/8" drywall was put up on my ceiling. I then installed carpeting on their floor with the water resilient padding. Yes that deadens the sound a bit but none of this worked in my 100 year old American four Square home that was converted into a 2 flat back in the 60's. Their floor squeaks badly when they have sex and to top it off my bed shakes with their movement. I fear they may be able to hear me and my families doings. I've never been able to hear their conversations only their walking and rapid bed movements. Any construction advice would be appreciated. I'd hate to move out and have my new tenants deal with such common noises.
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San Jose, CA · Member since 2016 · 58 posts · 19 votes
10y

I'd scour youtube for videos on how to fix squeaky floors.  I believe there are specialty made crews for this where the head breaks off, and I think you can install them right through carpet, but don't quote me on that.  Then, perhaps, offer them some waffle pad to install under the feet of their bed, and/or a note to tighten the bolts on their frame.

Good luck!  

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  • San Jose, CA · Member since 2016 · 58 posts · 19 votes
    10y

    I'd scour youtube for videos on how to fix squeaky floors.  I believe there are specialty made crews for this where the head breaks off, and I think you can install them right through carpet, but don't quote me on that.  Then, perhaps, offer them some waffle pad to install under the feet of their bed, and/or a note to tighten the bolts on their frame.

    Good luck!  

  • Real Estate Investor · chicago, IL · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 231 votes
    10y

    lol! they must be really getting into it! perhaps you can jokingly tell them, "hey, we can hear you above...maybe you can give us some pointers!"

  • Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 61 posts · 11 votes
    10y

    Thanks, Scott but I'm really not trying to portray to them that we're swingers!  They may get scared off and break the lease. Lol. I'm just hoping there are some landlords out there who have dealt renting in noises homes. Or developers who have sound proofed before. 

    @Ricardo Meza I've used those before but not to deaden noise. I'll look into it when their lease is up. I was imagining ripping the newly install carpet and then gently pulling up the maple floor. Next I'd nail down the subfloor panels and lay a rubbery cork like material over subfloor. Then install the original floor over it, and to top it off as a precaution thick carpet padding plus the carpet, yes looks like this just got expensive.

  • Rental Property Investor · Cedar City, UT · Member since 2016 · 209 posts · 45 votes
    10y

    @Aaron Frances If the floor is making noises because the nails are pulling in and out of the wood, you can put screws in it to help. You will have to find the Joist to be able to screw into them, which is harder with the carpet in place, but doable. The best way is of course to remove it all, glue the sub floor down before screwing it, then put back the padding and carpet, but that takes time and money. You could also just remove the carpet and pad and screw it down (you'll probably need weight to get the floor to settle tight as you screw). We have put screws in through carpet before, it will damage it some, though you won't see the damage unless you do a real poor job. Use screws that have an area near the head with no threads, then you will be able to sink them in the floor to pull it down tighter.

    Good luck!

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