quote:

Originally posted by stateofplay:
But, I still managed to get a good nights sleep, because the noise went in the middle of the night. This poor lady has to listen to it all through the night, and everything sounds more noisy in the dead of night. I feel sorry for her.

No-one who lives in a city has peace during the night. Everyone I know needs earplugs to sleep so a little context is required here - lets not get carried away.

Was catching up on other threads and found this post by the OP

quote:

My new neighbour (above) has wooden floors & I for the first time realise the issues that I've heard complained about. I'm flabbergasted at how it carries. I can hear him sneeze, cough, muffled speaking, open & close cupboards, TV, let alone dropping everything & walking around. I cannot believe how it carries. He was drumming his fingers to music the other day (I presume on a table), & even that carried down & sounded like he was doing it on my wall next to me.
I cannot believe houses are / were allowed to be built /converted like this.

If you can hear someone drumming their fingers, you either have excellent hearing, or else there is something very wrong with the sound insulation in your flat.

quote:

Originally posted by Designs that speak:

quote:

In fear of receiving a fierce flaming for this, I think you were pretty stupid to buy the gaff in the first place.

Hi Bob

Very smug of you to have all this wisdom.

Just hope you don't have the misfortune to find yourself in a helpless situation, or are you one of these people, far too clever to get into a scrape.

Don't bother replying, I can guess what your answer will be.

Well one has to be pretty naive and not very intelligent to buy above a commercial property and expect a life of luxury and utter peace and quiet.

Having worked on contract to Diebold who make the ATM machines, I am familiar with the standard cooling system for them and know how much "noise" they make. They aren't any "noisier" than a normal household tumble dryer and if you can't live with that coming from a room beneath you then it's a pretty poor do.

Some people just don't know how lucky they are to live in such a quiet location. It doesn't matter what you do, they still find something to moan about.

R

quote:

Originally posted by Rob K:
Having worked on contract to Diebold who make the ATM machines, I am familiar with the standard cooling system for them and know how much "noise" they make. They aren't any "noisier" than a normal household tumble dryer and if you can't live with that coming from a room beneath you then it's a pretty poor do.R

But domestic tumble driers would not be on 24/7 whereas the aircon is. It is not just noise it is vibration - noise is irritating enough but vibration can be a really serious nuisance.

If I am not mistaken I think that constant low level hum and vibration is a recognised form of torture.

love

TillyBob

Pretty pathetic what some people moan about. There's people out there which don't have much other choice but to live next to motorways, railway lines, ends of runways or have neighbours who play 120dB music, and yet here we have someone who, apart from a little low-level hum and a bit of vibration here and there, lives in a noise and nuisance free environment.

If it's bothering you that much, SELL UP AND MOVE then go and hibernate to a cave in the middle of nowhere where nothing will bother you.

This thread brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'making a mountain out of a mole hill'.



R

quote:

Originally posted by Rob K:
Pretty pathetic what some people moan about. There's people out there which don't have much other choice but to live next to motorways, railway lines, ends of runways or have neighbours who play 120dB music, and yet here we have someone who, apart from a little low-level hum and a bit of vibration here and there, lives in a noise and nuisance free environment.

Apart from the strumming of fingers from upstairs (see other post I've posted). Sounds like someone over sensitive to noise - if you listen out for noise, you find it everywhere in most cases. My upstairs neighbour has a really noisy boiler but it is just background noise.

quote:

Originally posted by beecher:
Was catching up on other threads and found this post by the OP

quote:

My new neighbour (above) has wooden floors & I for the first time realise the issues that I've heard complained about. I'm flabbergasted at how it carries. I can hear him sneeze, cough, muffled speaking, open & close cupboards, TV, let alone dropping everything & walking around. I cannot believe how it carries. He was drumming his fingers to music the other day (I presume on a table), & even that carried down & sounded like he was doing it on my wall next to me.
I cannot believe houses are / were allowed to be built /converted like this.

If you can hear someone drumming their fingers, you either have excellent hearing, or else there is something very wrong with the sound insulation in your flat.

My hearing isn't good at all, ear problems since a child, I battle to hear people in pubs etc. It's just that he is a very considerate neighbour, he doesn't stomp around yet I hear what I presume to be cupboards opening & closing, coughing sneezing (& not the exaggerated kind either) which is why I think he wasn't 'loudly banging' to the music, I'm sure he was just relaxing & beating out a tune. ;-p
I'm beginning to think maybe it is the insulation in the property that is the problem, but I'm clearly no expert....

quote:

Originally posted by beecher:
No-one who lives in a city has peace during the night. Everyone I know needs earplugs to sleep so a little context is required here - lets not get carried away.

wow I don't know anyone (besides me now ) who feels the need to wear earplugs. My friends & I have clearly been spoilt.
We do all sometimes hear neighbours thru walls / wooden floors, but I kind figured that's just a part of life. But a constant noise like I have now...I just figured was a bit abnormal & that I was in my rights to seek some info & advice.

quote:

Originally posted by michellegr:
wow I don't know anyone (besides me now ) who feels the need to wear earplugs. My friends & I have clearly been spoilt.
We do all sometimes hear neighbours thru walls / wooden floors, but I kind figured that's just a part of life. But a constant noise like I have now...I just figured was a bit abnormal & that I was in my rights to seek some info & advice.

I didn't realise it myself until I asked around and was really surprised by how many people need them to sleep.

When you move into a new place noise is worse - after a while it all becomes background noise. You're never going to be noise free unless you live in a detached house.

quote:

Originally posted by beecher:

quote:

Originally posted by michellegr:
wow I don't know anyone (besides me now ) who feels the need to wear earplugs. My friends & I have clearly been spoilt.
We do all sometimes hear neighbours thru walls / wooden floors, but I kind figured that's just a part of life. But a constant noise like I have now...I just figured was a bit abnormal & that I was in my rights to seek some info & advice.

I didn't realise it myself until I asked around and was really surprised by how many people need them to sleep.

When you move into a new place noise is worse - after a while it all becomes background noise. You're never going to be noise free unless you live in a detached house.

Well I've never lived in a detached house, so it's not like I'm even comparing. The thing is the flat is above a high road (albeit it a small one) & next to a train line - right next to a train line! If it wasn't for the dark windows I could tell you who was sitting in the carriage ha ha. so I expected a lot of noise. Not only have I live in the same area (3 blocks away )for 4 years so know it pretty well, but I still popped over many times - day time & night, different times for each, so really did plenty homework, saw what I would be living with, spoke to the chinese downstairs-but-one, watched the chicken place across the road, sussed out the pub on the corner, checked out the quiet alleyway & was happy with all that. I figured I would adjust to the additional traffic noise, and true's bob, neither the trains or cars have bothered me an iota, much better than I expected. (wow double glazing is MARV!) In fact I find it comforting having the background noise-there's life out there yay! My 15 yr old boiler doens't worry me either (only initially 'cos I have a healthy respect for things that I don't know about, but got it tested & it's fine, just a bit of scale making funny noises) Yet for some reason this motor under my floorboards,,,a bit more disturbing than I imagined!
Sometimes it sounds like a plane in the distance, you know when it's sitting on the tarmac before getting the go ahead to pull out. Makes me want to book a holiday!

quote:

Originally posted by michellegr:

quote:

Originally posted by beecher:
No-one who lives in a city has peace during the night. Everyone I know needs earplugs to sleep so a little context is required here - lets not get carried away.

wow I don't know anyone (besides me now ) who feels the need to wear earplugs. My friends & I have clearly been spoilt.
We do all sometimes hear neighbours thru walls / wooden floors, but I kind figured that's just a part of life. But a constant noise like I have now...I just figured was a bit abnormal & that I was in my rights to seek some info & advice.

a/c units can be extremely noisy, and can create noise above the acceptable db limit. You have every to expect not to constantly have to live with it.

Probably the people who are telling you you are exaggerating have never actually heard a commercial a/c unit. They must be thinking they are as quiet as a normal home unit... they are most certainly not.

Ary.

quote:

Originally posted by Aryldi:
a/c units can be extremely noisy, and can create noise above the acceptable db limit. You have every to expect not to constantly have to live with it.

Probably the people who are telling you you are exaggerating have never actually heard a commercial a/c unit. They must be thinking they are as quiet as a normal home unit... they are most certainly not.

Ary, perhaps you'd like to re-read the thread. There has been no mention of a commercial a/c unit. It's the air-con for the ATM machine that she's complaining about, which are in a sealed unit, hence my saying that if you can hear that and it affects you, there must be something wrong with you.

I would agree that commercial a/c units can indeed be - and often are - very noisy, especially if not particularly modern, but this isn't the issue here. Even if it was, you can hardly expect the users of the property it's keeping cool to turn it off just because you can hear it. As I said before, that's the buyers own stupidity for not thinking of that beforehand.

R

Re all postings by Rob K:
You're just intent on attacking aren't you. Life must be very horrid for you. You actually have no idea what it sounds like, the environmental officer has advised I should ring him if my comms with the bank don't get them sorting it out as it wasn’t running correctly, hmm seems he agreed it was excessive. You've presumed me to be a huge moaner about everything simply because I'm trying to change one thing in my flat. You're the only one making a mountain out of anything - this string was nothing but peaceful & helpful before you came along. I simply requested advice about something that frustrates me, even admitting that it isn't the biggest issue, yet you’re carry on as if I said the world was ending. Yes some times are VERY frustrating, I’m human. Why on earth are you so stressy about it, you're not in the slightest bit affected, so what if my dealings are no where near as important as yours / anyone elses, that doesn't mean that I don't have a right to resolve it & ask helpful people for advice.
This clearly upsets you greatly, why don't YOU move off.
If you're so worried about the bigger issues out there, stop wasting time on this inconsequential (to you) one, & go help someone.
Life is great Rob, put things into perspective and make the most of what you’ve got. You clearly have some functions intact, why don’t you put them to good use instead of being so negative.
I’m chuffed to bits, I’ve been able to afford to get onto the property ladder. No it’s not a detached house with garden, I can’t afford that, but I’ve gotten onto the ladder where I can – a tiny flat above a commercial property, in the hope that it doesn’t turn into something less savoury. That was a risk I took, I took other risks too. And I expected unforeseen events - & boy have they come at me. But such is life!! It throws lemons & you make lemonade as best you can, with the helpful advice input of others, if you’re lucky.
I listen to upstairs on occasions– such is life, squealy girls next door on occasions– such is life, boy racers outside my window on occasions– such is life, yelling from people walking past late at night on occasions– such is life, yelling and revving exhausts that need replacing while mates draw cash / order food on occasions– such is life, double deckers that go past, rumbling my lounge floor, unexpected, but – such is life. If you want to live on a high st you need to accept certain things, it comes with the convenience, I chose to take accept the obvious. I did enough research. People buy property 4/5 times & still learn lessons, I’m a FTB, was I really expected to think of EVERYTHING. Even my surveyor doesn’t go that far & he’s qualified in building knowledge.
I want to stop a continuous noise under my floorboards & am simply seeing if anyone has advice, you spend your time being insulting and whingeing about it, my nerves , GET a life !

Oh, and I forgot about the impatient hooting at the traffic lights, which happens regularly, has just happened again, the fast trains which do make a bit more noise than the other trains, and the police sirens that keep going past - must be a lot of naughty people in the area....but guess what - such is life!

quote:

Originally posted by Rob K:
there must be something wrong with you.

As I said before, that's the buyers own stupidity for not thinking of that beforehand. R

How can I think of something that I have no idea exists? The aircon at the back was noisy & I was advised needed servicing, but it was only when the bank was open, so although it was outside my bedroom window, it didn't seem extreme to me.
There was nothing indoors, it has only just begun. I wasn't aware the bank had separate aircons that they use at different times of the year - sue me for not thinking of / knowing about everything outside of my own life's experience / knowledge.
Aren't you lucky that you get everything 100% correct, 100% of the time.
Full of bitterness & nastiness aren't you.

Thanks again to the helpful people in this thread. Even if you haven't entirely agreed, everyone else has been mature enough to not attack like this. My nerves, chip on your shoulder or what.

noise is an enormously emotional issue. first, because you can easily cut out sights you don't want to see, but it's more or less impossible to cut out noises you don't want to hear, double glazing, secondary glazing, earplugs, whatever.

because once you're conscious of an intrusive noise you are listening for it unconsciously. that's why it's such a potent cause of neighbour disputes and why it's so often used for harassment.

I have every sympathy with you and I hope you and the bank can come to some accommodation on this. but at the end of the day, if you can't, you would be best advised to think of moving because the stress will get worse. its nothing to do with the actual decibels involved, this is where environmental health cannot always help.

It's not an attack at all and the only reason you see it as that is because I haven't agreed with you that this is oh-so-bad.

You've moved into a flat above a commercial property and obviously in a busy area, but yet hate all the noise around you, as described by yourself above, but yet you happily live with and accept the noise from :

* I listen to upstairs
* squealy girls next door
* boy racers outside my window
* yelling from people walking past late at night
* yelling and revving exhausts that need replacing
* double deckers that go past, rumbling my lounge floor
* the impatient hooting at the traffic lights
* the fast trains which do make a bit more noise than the other trains
* the police sirens that keep going past

because you know there's absolutely zero you can do about any of them.

However, a bit of a hum and vibration from an air-con unit and it's a different story. In fact, how the hell can you hear the air-con with all the above going on anyway??????

And this just sums up my thoughts perfectly - posted by your good self :

quote:

If you want to live on a high st you need to accept certain things

EXACTLY. Nuff said.

R

quote:

Originally posted by Rob K:
It's not an attack at all and the only reason you see it as that is because I haven't agreed with you that this is oh-so-bad.

You've moved into a flat above a commercial property and obviously in a busy area, but yet hate all the noise around you, as described by yourself above, but yet you happily live with and accept the noise from :

* I listen to upstairs
* squealy girls next door
* boy racers outside my window
* yelling from people walking past late at night
* yelling and revving exhausts that need replacing
* double deckers that go past, rumbling my lounge floor
* the impatient hooting at the traffic lights
* the fast trains which do make a bit more noise than the other trains
* the police sirens that keep going past

because you know there's absolutely zero you can do about any of them.

However, a bit of a hum and vibration from an air-con unit and it's a different story. In fact, how the hell can you hear the air-con with all the above going on anyway??????

And this just sums up my thoughts perfectly - posted by your good self :

quote:

If you want to live on a high st you need to accept certain things

EXACTLY. Nuff said.

R

Oh please, I wasn't asking for anyone's agreement, I was asking for advice from those who may have experienced same. It makes no difference to me or the Environ officer who on these boards does or doesn't agree. The bank / environ officer are the only ones who can get anything actioned. You weren't the only one to not agree with me. ANd I didn't SEE IT as attacking, you quite plainly WERE accusatory and attacking.

Who said anything about hating the noises, all I'm pointing out is that there are plenty that I'm NOT worried about. Otherwise I would have looked into triple glazing, additional wall or whatever it is or not bought the place. But there is only one I'm trying to resolve.
So the insinuations of moaning about everything, would complain about cows, etc are un-called for & completely un-true.
All the rest are normal high street / neighbour noises which anyone mite expect to have to put up. An ongoing 24 hour rumble with an occasional high pitch tone, heard throughout my property clearly is not a normal high street / neighbourly sound.
Agree to disagree, even though you have absolutely no experience of it or me, therefore no room to talk.

quote:

Originally posted by liz3:
noise is an enormously emotional issue. first, because you can easily cut out sights you don't want to see, but it's more or less impossible to cut out noises you don't want to hear, double glazing, secondary glazing, earplugs, whatever.

because once you're conscious of an intrusive noise you are listening for it unconsciously. that's why it's such a potent cause of neighbour disputes and why it's so often used for harassment.

I have every sympathy with you and I hope you and the bank can come to some accommodation on this. but at the end of the day, if you can't, you would be best advised to think of moving because the stress will get worse. its nothing to do with the actual decibels involved, this is where environmental health cannot always help.

I agree, I was a bit worried about the decibel / environmental factor, but he's taking it on board so hopefully it'll carry...if the bank doesn't fix it. I'm hoping the bank's service ppl will sort it out though - easily & quickly and all remain friends!

QUOTE]I didn't realise it myself until I asked around and was really surprised by how many people need them to sleep. [QUOTE]

damn that can't be good for spontaneous romance

quote:

Originally posted by Aryldi:
Probably the people who are telling you you are exaggerating have never actually heard a commercial a/c unit. They must be thinking they are as quiet as a normal home unit... they are most certainly notAry.

It's not a home unit, but it's also not the biggest commercial unit, as it's quite a small branch. To be honest I think (hope?!) it's just a case of needing servicing (which is clear from the other end of it), possibly something has come loose, or maybe it's been unfortunately pinned to the joists, causing the vibration & sound travel. Hopefully I'll be able to find out tomorrow exactly why, as I've worked in (bigger) offices with aircon (haven't we all) and most certainly never heard this before.