Reducing noises from neighbour

user060916

I live in a 1980 semi detached over all it's very quiet but there are two noises I can hear - occasionally the neighbours TV which would be muffled and the neighbour when he coughs. Unfortunately, when he coughs, which is pretty much constant he really goes for it, it's hard to describe but it's not your usual small cough. It's a cough as if his life depends on it.

Is there a service to see where the sound leaks are - my biggest suspects would be the air vents which are just holes drilled in the bricks covered in cheap plastic vents and the windows.

I'd consider replacing all the windows (at considerable cost) but only if I knew that would fix the issue. If it wouldn't I'd likely just sell.

Sleeper12

I would think that you hear the sound through the shared wall. I hear my elderly neighbor laugh at the TV in the evening. Luckily this brings a smile to my face and isn't an annoying sound like the coughing you hear. I hear her turn on & off the socket switch on her TV each day. This is all through the wall. The only other time I hear things is in the summer when both homes might have windows open. Houses built in 1964 so have the same air vents that you have.

Would likely be the wall

o1s1n

I don't want to be too much of a ghoul but is he an oul lad? Might not be a problem forever?

user060916

That was my first thought, but no he's young enough. Hoping it's temporary but worried it's not.

Considering what my options are:

https://www.woodies.ie/acoustic-wall-panel-2-4m-light-oak

https://www.loughviewsolutions.ie/store/Fresh-90dB-Acoustic-&-Anti-Draught-Wall-Vent-p475731225

Replace the windows

Wrap the house in insulation

https://www.soundinsulation.ie/product/tecsound-sy70-for-stud-wall

The thing is if I don't want to be spending money unless I know it will work. Which is why ideally they'd be a gun similar to a thermal gun but for sound to see where the "leaks" are.

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121549644#Comment_121549644

Yeah and then a family moves in with a gang of screaming kids 😂

user060916

Maybe not suited for DIY but I'm curious if it would be possible to throw money at the problem to solve it.

I'd spend money on it if I new it would fix the issue so would be curious for advice.

Something like https://carpenter-dublin.com/sound-proofing-walls.html

Pandoras Twist

I got soundproofing done professionally and it didn't make too much difference tbh and was pricey.

I'm not sure if they did a bad job or there's something structural that's keeping the sound coming through.

user060916

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121580911#Comment_121580911

Would you mind (maybe by DM) sending me who you used / what they did?

Worst outcome would be spending more money and no improving. I know now I have it in my head I can hear the neighbours and will be listening out for noises.

Pandoras Twist

I wouldn't recommend them as it didn't work but I also don't want to drag them in the mud as they tried to fix it once and then I gave up as it had been going on too long and I didnt have the energy to get them back out again.

Yeah I spent a decent whack of money and got only minor benefit. I'd probably go the DIY route myself, with the soundproofing boards and then pay someone to skim it once you're sure it's worked.

You'll likely need to go up into the ceilings though too to treat the whole party wall if you get me.