What's acceptable noise at 5am?

JustJoe7240

Not wanting to sidetrack the thread currently running about issues with neighbours due to noise.

Live in a 3 bed semi detached, Houses are a mirror of each other i.e kitchens either side of party wall.

Recently was gifted an espresso machine with a grinder, thing isn't overly noisy but neighbor has been giving me grief about the noise it makes when I'm having a cup of coffee before work, also has passed comment that I close the microwave louder than necessary. I have politely apologized but it's getting to a stage where I'm getting close to telling him where to go. Suggested I get a filling station coffee on the road to avoid using the machine. Question is am I being unreasonable or should I be expected to limit what I do in my own house due to poor soundproofing standards?

Edit: Should note I get up at 5am to be out the door for 5.15

AndrewJRenko

Could you grind the night before? They are awful noisy things, even in coffee shops.

Does he sleep in the kitchen or something?

OP, honestly, he sounds like one of those. Like the cheek of him to not only complain your coffee grinder is too loud, but then to follow that up by saying you should scrap your brand spanking new espresso machine in favour of brown water from a circle K and if that’s not bad enough he has the balls to complain your microwave door closing is too loud??

you’re absolutely not being unreasonable here. If someone grinding coffee at 5am is too much of a problem for him then kindly invite him to get up at 5:15 after you’ve left for work already.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357405#Comment_118357405

I wouldn’t advise that. There’s a reason cafes don’t pre grind the coffee in the morning for expedience it will go dry and begin to lose flavour rapidly.

if you ground your coffee at say 7pm tonight to make a coffee at 5am tomorrow it would be horrific and the OP might as well go back to instant coffee.

standardg60

I'd have a bit of sympathy for the neighbour here given the earliness, could you move the machine to another room further away OP?

Failing that buy him a set of earplugs for Christmas

Very little noise is acceptable at 5am.

houseyhouse

Is it waking the neighbour up? If so it must be pretty loud. Though the microwave door comment makes or seen like this person may be very sensitive. I have to say, I thought my house was bad but I definitely can’t hear the microwave door. Soundproofing must be atrocious. Perhaps the neighbour needs to invest in ear plugs?

HalfAndHalf

What coffee machine have you? I’ve a SAGE Oracle and if he can hear the grinding of coffee beans he must be sleeping in your dishwasher!!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357466#Comment_118357466

Depends on the person. I lived with 2 people who (IMO) slammed every single door and press and drawers. They didn't think they were being loud or ignorant but from upstairs and not connected to the kitchen I could tell exactly which cupboard had just been closed.

Jmc25

5am is early but I mean you're not blasting music or anything excessive. Sure, it's maybe waking the neighbour up but the bin truck wakes me up at that time some mornings!

It sounds over the top that you've been approached about this to be honest and I think most reasonable people would have just put it down as "one of those things"

the frequency of some noises (like coffee grinding) will carry through sh1tty "walls" like was the norm in crappy Irish building construction quite easily.

tbh wouldn't fancy being woken up at 5am if I wasn't getting up at that time.

if it even happened even once or twice a week I wouldn't be impressed in the slightest.

Maybe move the location in the kitchen further away at the least

Xander10

Correct answer = Zero

You shouldn't really need to ask.

Del2005

I can hear my neighbour if they don't hit the bowl when urinating. I've cameras inside that get activated by the neighbours closing doors. There is no way in hell that the OP's coffee grinder at 5am is acceptable,I'd one that nearly needed ear defenders when I was using it, look for a different quiter one and if they still complain drink instant.

The microwave door comment was most likely to show how bad the sound proofing is.

Do you really want to fall out with your neighbours over a coffee in the morning.

Spanish Eyes

I prefer French Press (cafetiere) coffee myself. No complaints from neighbours at all.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357428#Comment_118357428

huh?

Are your walls made of paper?

Is he sleeping in his kitchen?

Are you grinding rocks?

JPup

I think the only best solution here is that one or both of you look into getting proper insulation between the houses. Maybe go halves on it if some of the expense is in the attic for instance.

Mrs OBumble

5am is freakin' yesterday. Virtually no noise is acceptable.

Put your grinder on a rubber mat, inside a cupboard.

Learn to close the microwave gently like an adult who wants their appliances to last instead of slamming it.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357443#Comment_118357443

I'd be tempted to blind-test it, and see if he can tell the difference between coffee made from a fresh grind and coffee from a 12 hour ago grind.

rolling boh

There seems to be some tips on keeping coffee fresh when you google it might be worth a look 5 o clock is early enough if your man is not getting up for a couple of hours so I would try and keep the peace on that one .

bosco12345

I think its a fair shout from your neighbour tbh. I used to have housemates who would bang every press, slam the microwave, pee directly into the water and not the bowl (most annoying thing ever) etc, and it drove me mad as I'm quite a sensitive sleeper. If I was you I'd try different things like moving the grinder to a different room or even into the press, and let him know you are trying. he will appreciate it! It's probably not worth falling out with your neighbour over this

DesperateDan

Yeah grind it the day before and stick it in a proper container air tight container with a co2 valve, it's not going to taste that different and you can prove it to yourself by blind tasting

I’d consider moving. Your house isn’t built properly.

dmc17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357673#Comment_118357673

Do you soak the beans in it?

Can you hear noises coming from his house or is he super sensitive? The microwave door closing being audible suggests your adjoining wall is made from papier-mâché.

+1 for the idea of going Dutch on the insulation. Are the master bedrooms above the kitchen? And more importantly, is anyone or their partner a screamer? 😅

Anyway, if I were being woken by a pretentious bean crusher at 5am I’d be playing Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture at full volume late enough for you to get the picture, as you presumably go to bed early. 

maestroamado

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058223839/whats-acceptable-noise-at-5am

The only acceptable noise at 5am is snoring... try to work with him... the coffee grinder is out at 5am... i am sure you can get some kindof anti-slam for the microwave... I often use a town house where i know the next neighbor gets up at 5am like you... i make as little noise as possible after 10pm and really nothing after midnight... the neighbors the other side said i slam the doors during the day.. comment not complaint. i never hear a sound from either house except maybe a chair pulled across floor the odd time... You have to remember that these people may have lived this way all their lives so we need to understand the way things are done... I live in the countryside so i had to learn to adapt...

On a serious note you may have an addition if you need the hit at 5am... i use leaf tea in the morn.... he was way out of order suggesting you buy piss at a service station...

JustJoe7240

Thanks for the replies folks, Always heard pre grinding was a no no, but a blind taste test is a good idea.

I'd be wary not to make a whole lot of noise in the mornings, morseo for the sake of my housemates. As for the microwave comment, The guy is quite pedantic as is, He once complained when I was powerwashing that I over ran the brick border that splits that divides the driveway. When i politely explained that it happened when I was blowing the dirt that got thrown onto his side back on to my own, He rolled his eyes and walked back inside.Funny thing is the guy has 3 young kids and I've often been woke by them throwing a wobbler at 3 am, But i don't make a fuss for obvious reasons.

As for falling out with a neighbor over it, I see far greater benefit in the cup of coffee tbh.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357897#Comment_118357897

None of my housemates have any issue with how i close the microwave.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118358024#Comment_118358024

Yep, Having a nice coffee machine and making use of it makes me "a pretentious bean crusher". Good man.

Seems like **** build quality and a cheeky neighbour. Grind the night before and tell your neighbour to grind off.

theteal

What the freak are people houses made from???

It's not like the OP is blaring music, it's a kitchen appliance, in your own kitchen, fire away. I'd be more concerned about house mate than this neighbour who sounds like a tool who I probably couldn't help but wind up more 🤣

Bassfish

Could get yourself a hand grinder? A lot of purists prefer them.

chicorytip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357641#Comment_118357641

How does a woman "hit the bowl" when urinating?

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359012#Comment_118359012

Is it not more beneficial for either gender to hit the water instead of the bowl?

Less p!ss stains to scrub off?

Kerry25x

This sounds like an absolute nightmare honestly. Your neighbour can hear your microwave door closing??? I'd hate feeling like I had to tiptoe around my own house.

DFB-D

Respectfully, I would suggest that you respect your neighbours by not causing disturbance at unsocial hours.

Which should be mutually respected of course, I imagine you generally need to go to bed earlier than your neighbour.

Sono

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357897#Comment_118357897

What sort of advise is this ffs! Jesus Christ reading this thread I am glad I am not attached to any other house.

Drive on with your coffee at 5am OP,pay no heed to such utter tripe.

Jmc25

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359154#Comment_118359154

I've dealt with very distressing noise disturbances from a former, very unreasonable neighbour but I agree with you here. The closing of microwave doors is on the lowest possible end of the scale to the point that it's barely even on the scale at all.

Coffee grinder - ok, if you're on good terms with the neighbour might be worth a friendly word, but I really think most people would let it slide.

The issue is clearly structural rather than behavioural here and if microwave doors closing are bothering the neighbour then short of the OP asking for permission to walk from the bedroom to the bathroom at night, this neighbour is never going to be happy until the underlying structural problem is fixed.

This thread just makes me realize I'd rather live in a van or move back to the parents than live in semi d or town house.

Jesus Christ, next they'll be giving out about your farting habits. I cant see myself getting a mortgage and hearing the house beside you having a shower.

Even a few beers and turning the TV up volume your not allowed to do, **** that. my idea of torture and paying 20-30 years of your life for the privalage, **** that.

slavetothegrind

semi Detached houses in the last 20 years have such poor noise seperation that a coffee grinder next door in the kitchen at 5 am would be loud in the next door bedroom.

This is because for money saving reasons the houses are generally bedroom/kitchen back to back, instead of halway/staircase back to back, and also because the cheapest method of construction is employed and there is no government oversight at all. Nothing.

Developers build to the minimum standards ALWAYS! if not below. So instead of a noise barrier there is usually a noise amplification system in the party wall, solid block with dab and slab on either side.

As a semi D dweller i know. I'm lucky the blocks are of reasonable quality

If i fired up a grinder at 5 am i would DEFINITELY wake next door.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357924#Comment_118357924

It’s not just the taste it’s how it will pull through the machine. You can end up with watery crap if the beans used are too dry even.

questionmark?

I honestly can't believe what I'm reading on this thread. Its like I've stumbled into some alternative universe!

JustJoe7240

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359221#Comment_118359221

That's just it, 4 inch block and a slab either side. To be fair, there's generally not an issue with noise, you might hear a door slam or a 3 year old tantrum but other than that it's pretty bearable. I'm certainly not going to go go the expense of slabbing again for their sake.

Edit: 9 inch, rather than 4 inch

JustJoe7240

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359269#Comment_118359269

Far from an aficionado, If it pulls half decent at all, I'll go with it for the sake of not waking my housemates, have ground a shot for the morning, Will see how it goes

I have a semi d house built in 2006. Kitchens back to back, bedroom and en-suite toilet above kitchen both back to back.

If I’m in the bedroom the noise from their kitchen travels up to my bedroom. But I don’t hear as much if we are both in our kitchens. Same if they use the en-suite toilet. Luckily they use the house as a holiday home so it’s not an everyday occurrence.

Would pumping insulation into that wall dampen the sound?

breeno

As mentioned above, a hand grinder sounds like a good compromise. The likes of Commandante or 1zspresso grind really well for espresso without the big noise.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359279#Comment_118359279

Maybe you're fortunate enough not to live in the 'real world' then 😂

Such things might not be an issue to you, but when Mickey Mouse cardboard/paper-thin partition walls are involved; then that's how it goes... might seem comical to you, but it's how 1000's of people live - wondering/worrying/being overly cautious about doing entirely acceptable things at acceptable times, lest they have their neighbour banging on their door/adjoining wall.

Or maybe you disagree with the OP's 'behaviour' - hard to tell from your post 😊

I'd say grind away OP , but I've never heard one of those things in action, so I don't know how loud it gets.. How's the neighbour on the sound of electric showers (if ya have one) , or flushing the toilet etc..

Mr.Crinklewood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359500#Comment_118359500

Imagine the noise the pump would make.

JustJoe7240

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359279#Comment_118359279

What part are you struggling with?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359552#Comment_118359552

Compassionate as I am, there's not a fear I'm spending the kind of money for those examples needed. Defeats the purpose of buying a coffee maker with a grinder just to buy a hand grinder separately.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359500#Comment_118359500

Thankfully these are bungalows. No it wouldn't, they're solid walls. Double slabbing would be the only option from what I can see.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359561#Comment_118359561

No issue in that regard, as bathrooms and ensuite would be other side of the house.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359269#Comment_118359269

Tried this morning, Not great, but not sure if that's because I know it was grinded earlier, will have to trial it properly later, Did find that putting a towel over the machine when it's grinding seems to dampen the sound a good bit.

maestroamado

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359500#Comment_118359500

That centre wall is afaik a 9in solid wall... it may have changed since i lived in a semi nut i doubt it...

maestroamado

JustJoe7240

I believe so, house around 20 years old

seamus

Seems fairly mental that the next door neighbour is complaining about it when his housemates aren't. Stuff up against party walls can be surprisingly noisy though.

It may also be a case that the neighbour's kids are waking at 5am, and the neighbour is blaming this on the OP's coffee machine because they can't think of any other reason. Even though sometimes kids just wake up.

The only compromise I'd do here really is to find a different spot for the coffee machine which isn't against a wall.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118358392#Comment_118358392

Party walls or other bridging between structures can carry any vibration or impact noises (which both of these fall in to) heavily.

Even my 70s built like a bomb shelter house transfers those type of noises; but you could have someone screaming in one house and not be heard in another.

Add to that the Tiger era of builds which are basically thrown up, you can hear people talking next door in most of those!