Soundprrofing - or lack of it.

[Duke]

Hi, Great forum – here’s my first post.

I have been having ongoing problems with the soundproofing of my new Taylor Wimpey (Bryant) semi detached home.
The neighbours and I complained to the developers that there was an excessive amount of everyday noise passing through the party wall (speech, footsteps, doors closing, creaking stairs etc).
I have lived in many semi-detached properties in the past but this one is appalling.

So after we wrote and complained, the developers arranged for a sound test. This was completed and passed by 4dB. So the developers have managed to meet the minimum requirements of part E, but is it normal of new home to have such poor sound insulation.

Its like if someone next door is having a normal level conversation, I can hear it. OK the sound is muffled but it is still enough to disturb.

I would like to hear the opinions from you guys on this. Do I let it rest or should I keep bugging the developers as to me the sound insulation is rubbish. (other than that the house is not bad!).
Thanks

[GKandR4CH]

Hi,

I own a TW home on the Kemsley Fields Development and have also had this problem.
We are so desperate to move it's unreal. The neighbours are constantly banging doors. When the windows close it's like an earthquake is in progress. I can hear one of my neighbours having sexual relations and it is not very nice.
I made a complaint and the NHBC came down. (A first) They inspected the house went into the loft and found that the brickwork in the partition walls both sides was MISSING and the sound proofing missing!!
Also under bath the end wall to the front of the house had the plasterboard missing. This was letting sound in.
What idiot puts a roof on without finishing the walls?
Go into your loft and check that the walls are completed and there is sufficient insulation.

GK

[Dillygent]

Hi Duke,

I have a similar problem living in a new build flat and can hear my downstairs neighbours and others adjoining. I bought from a private builder who took out the 10 year warranty with Zurich not NHBC and I have had two sound tests done now and both have failed to meet with the regulations, long story how he got it past the council in the first place, but all flats here in this small block are without soundproofing. Waiting for the insurance company's next move. Got a feeling they are going to try and get out of putting this right though.

Dillygent

[SteveF]

Hi Duke

I would be inclined to raise the issue with both NHBC (if they provided the warranty) and the local authority building control. Trust me you will have to be persistant to get any result though as all will be looking to pass the book.

SteveF

[icycold68]

I too live in a new build property built by Taylor Wimpy and the sound proofing is awful, so awful that my flat is now on the market as I just can't put up with it any longer!

I can hear pretty much everything that goes on above me, including toilet sounds, walking, cupboard doors and even muffed talking at times. If my neighbour gets up before me (which he always does) it always wakes me up, not because he is being noisy but simply because he is going about his everyday business.

I have complained to Taylor Wimpy about this several times and their reply was simply to say that they have met all required standards for sound insulation. I think the truth is that all they are bothered about is knocking up houses as quickly as possible for as little as possible and sod the people who have to live in them!

Something really needs to be done about this, otherwise the UK is going to have a legacy of crap homes that no one wants to live in.