Cons of building a sound-proof box around my attic water tank?

alinois

Hi there,

My water tank in the attic has a submersible pump which makes a lot of noise. I've managed to significantly reduce vibration noise by placing an anti-vibration mat under the tank. But I wanted something better. Would there be any cons of building a sound-proof wooden box around my water tank?

Like a custom housing for the tank? Any other suggestion to reduce the noise would be welcome

Thanks!

MrMusician18

A better pump would probably be an easier place to start than a custom soundproofing solution.

How quiet do you need it to be?

alinois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121581016#Comment_121581016

Very quiet. My water tank has a submersible pump, one of the quietest in the market (so they say). But it's cheaper for me to build a housing than buy a new one I think.

MrMusician18

Your problem is that a lot of the sound is being transmitted through the pipes and the support, anti vibration mat notwithstanding.

You are looking at getting sound down to somewhere around 30dB. That's a hard standard to achieve.

I would probably go for a non submersible pump, to limit the vibrations in the tank and then look to reduce transmittance by putting the tank up on anti vibration legs as well as encasing the tank, pump, and pipework in insulating material.

alinois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121581081#Comment_121581081

Would you say putting a sound-proof insulation layer on top of the tank jacket wouldn't make any difference?

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121581357#Comment_121581357

It will make only a little difference, and when you are in the attic it will sound quieter. In the living space under the difference will likely be marginal.

The sound you hear lin the living space is almost entirety being transmitted through the structure. Only a tiny percentage is going through the air, to eventually reach you under.

alinois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121581381#Comment_121581381

But if that is the case, wouldn't an external pump have the same problem? The pipes are still there, connected to the pump.

Donald Trump

That old chestnut.

Is that you Josef Fritzel?

DrPsychia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121581357#Comment_121581357

Is there any way you could hang the pump from a rafter or timber batt on top of the tank (batt laid on noise insulating foam on edge of the tank using stainless steel springs while keeping the pump submerged under water? The spring would absorb the vibration from traversing through the structure, if you connect the springs or can get a long enough spring it should stay submerged but not touch the bottom of the tank. The spring would need enough bounce to absorb the vibration. Never encountered this scenario, just a wild thought.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121596032#Comment_121596032

I was only thinking the same myself. Even suspended on a nylon rope attached to wooden supports across the tank might lessen the noise.

Yellow_Fern

Maybe replace the insulation with rockwool or add soundblock plasterboard or mass-loaded vinyl on the ceiling. I dont know if it would make a big difference.

alinois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121596032#Comment_121596032

Not really, it's a submersible pump.

alinois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601779#Comment_121601779

Ya, I was thinking the same. But how would I cover it in rockwool? Are there any special jackets I should fill to cover the tank?

Mellor

The sound from the pump will mostly be vibrating through the structure and the pipes.

Covering in an acoustic box will only prevent airborne sound. It seems like a lot of work for little gain. I'd look at improved the isolation below the tank to the structure

alinois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121604771#Comment_121604771

What can I do beyond placing the tank on a anti-vibration mat?

Yellow_Fern

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121604825#Comment_121604825

Is it a 9 mm plasterboard sealing? Any airgaps?

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121604825#Comment_121604825

Remove the pump?

Yellow_Fern

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121603148#Comment_121603148

What I mean is replace the existing fibreglass below with well fitted rockwool, possible of a high density for acoustic purposes. I dont think it will be very impactful but could help a bit.

fido_dido

Hi @alinois, Up to what extent were you successful in reducing the vibration for your submersible water pump by installing anti vibration mat under the tank?

I am in similar position as you were. The noise due to vibration is in the range of 75-80 dB. For a light sleeper like me its disturbing when someone uses washrooms in middle of the night. So, looking for something concrete to fix this issue at my home.

monseiur

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121848328#Comment_121848328

If washroom use in the middle of the night is a rare occurrence in your house consider putting a time clock on the pump. Clock can be set to knock off pump say at midnight and switch on say a 7.00 am. The toilet cistern will be full so OK for a single use in the event of a nocturnal visit.

fido_dido

@monseiur, unfortunately I can't as Missus works in shifts.

alinois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121858575#Comment_121858575

Is this safe? To turn the pump on and off every evening? or will it ruin the pump after a while

monseiur

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121884343#Comment_121884343

These pumps are designed to be turned off & on intermittently so will not ruin the pump, in fact it could be argued that the overnight rest may prolong it's life