Downstairs neighbor complaining about squeaky floors. Feb 1, 2024 · While not all renters love the look of carpeting, it’s one of the best ways to reduce the noise of footsteps known to create ire between downstairs and upstairs neighbors. Add More Mass to the Ceiling. 35. We have 1 year old kid who is learning to walk and run around. In the recent voicemail(2nd complaint), the leasing office rep says, "You said you weren't making the noise, but the downstairs neighbor is complaining about loud walking again". $18. I just moved in into this new apartment I love. Alternatively, you could try a product called Squeak-Ender, which attaches a threaded rod to your joist and subfloor so you can tighten it up. Basically, that we are in an apartment and noise travels. They moved below me back in mid July and they have been harassing me and my children nonstop with constant banging, cussing and blasting music during daytime hours. Downstairs neighbors complaining about sound. Mar 5, 2024 · 5 Maintaining Positive Relationships with Neighbors. I know the floors are mine, but are the floorboards which I cannot see mine as well or part of the condo? Thoughts? My downstairs neighbor has occasionally banged underneath my bathroom floor (their ceiling) when i traverse in and out of the room. We have made the kids wear soft slippers and stopped the older one running. Reply reply More replies Turns out the downstairs neighbor was really just mad that the upstairs neighbor scratched his Bentley in the garage and once he got an apology, the lawsuit ended. Whatever your deepest fears are, they always seem to come out when you hear that telltale squeak. Plus one driver bit and easy to follow instructions. So, this is more likely to inconvenience you than your neighbor. After the many complaints he made, we got an N5 from our landlord (A Canadian form for eviction, it gives you a week to stop what you are doing or you have to leave) we were scared that we Dec 21, 2023 · 2. I had this problem before COVID with some neighbors and the advice everyone else in here is giving is pretty sound. For squeaks caused by friction between subfloor layers or joists, applying a dry lubricant like powdered graphite or talcum powder can help reduce the noise. In this article: We’ll cover the best practices which will help you identify the problem then explain 5 ways to stop the squeaky Nov 11, 2008 · baileyb - 9-Oct-20 @ 1:55 PM. Start by talking to your neighbors. We have 2 kids, aged 6 and 1. Not really true; the issue here is subjective. These machines emit a soft sound, like static, rushing water, or nature sounds, that can gently help drown out unwanted sounds from upstairs. Your downstairs neighbor’s peace should only be a concern to you after 10 pm. Gather a hammer, a measurement tape, spiral nails almost 2 inches, drill or rotary tool. I didn’t start actually living in the apartment until a month after signing the lease. Gather them before you start to work. She keeps asking us to install insulation to help with the sound, but I don't personally see that to be my Apr 6, 2021 · Silencing squeaky floors is quick and inexpensive. Don't talk to the I should add a couple things. Jul 9, 2015 · We are the upstairs neighbors, on the top-most floors. Dec 9, 2019 · So back in July I received a letter from management that my downstairs neighbor filed a complaint against me for making too much noise. The best way to prevent floors from squeaking is by fixing the cause of the noise. Then play the tape for your neighbors. Recommendations on how to soundproof couch to quiet vibrations on floor? I need to sometimes take care of business on the couch but apparently it’s too loud and the downstairs neighbors have been getting mad. The neighbours are falsely accusing us of making banging noises during the night and have shouted through their window at me about it. Or, you may hear children screaming or dogs barking all the time. Apr 1, 2024 · Some effective ways to deal with noisy downstairs neighbors include using white noise machines or fans to drown out the noise, rearranging your living space to minimize noise transfer, and discussing noise-free hours with your neighbors. Our downstairs neighbours have complained about our kids running. But if the neighbor is getting aggressive over a puppy, there's something else there going on in that guys life. Particularly if the floor is squeaky and needs repair, you will need to involve the landlord. And the kit to fix squeaky floors is made for the squeaks you hear. Lovely and decent family. The only problem is we're just walking around our apartment which is old and has squeaky floors. Be specific about your complaints - date, time, what you heard. Many neighbors might not be receptive to rebuilding their floors. Turns out downstairs neighbors were highly sensitive to noise, and the noise wasn't that perceptible to others. Jun 16, 2023 · Seal them with some acoustic caulk, and you’ll hear the difference. Walking, talking, flushing the toilet - apparently there is no insulation between the floors/ceiling so you can hear everything. Nails will help depending on how the wood floor is installed. The screw is scored so when driven through the fixture it snaps 1/4" below the top of the hardwood. Nov 9, 2023 · 4. Be careful to avoid hitting the floor with your hammer, and stop when the nail head is just above the surface of the floor. I was the third floor neighbor. Our downstairs neighbor is constantly complaining that the foot steps are creating a noise problem. These are formed using an 18mm High-Density P5 Moisture Resistant TG4 chipboard panels with a 10mm If you are reading this article, there is a pretty good chance that you are complaining about those squeaky floors in your apartment. A couple of times that I went to check the apartment in between this month the lady who Unfortunately, despite our efforts, our downstairs neighbours have filed two formal complaints to our landlord regarding our footsteps, both in the last month. But they still complain as if I'm doing jumping jacks. I have top floor condo rented out in last one year. Is there something you can do? Yes, and the first step is to talk to your neighbors with a no-blame approach. They have claimed we are "stomping around" late at night. You might gather a piloting bit, putty stick, and stud finder. We honestly are at a loss of what to do. Ultimately, it is important to remember that communication is key when dealing with a downstairs neighbor constantly complaining about the noise. These all help to reduce noise in the downstairs apartment. Floor joists are installed perpendicular to Aug 9, 2022 · In the meantime, continue to be a kind neighbor and try to avoid the squeaky floorboards if possible—but you should be completely unapologetic about doing whatever it takes to be a good mom to Oct 1, 2010 · You should also provide a copy of the report to your upstairs neighbor, so that he is aware of the problem. Contents show table of contents. Squeaky floors are harder to prove as something that you could find the HOA or neighbor Dec 7, 2021 · Even though the squeaky floor is upstairs, this is a job that needs to be done from below as the floors are fixed from below. i did tell the office of my complaint and then i wrote and left the neighbors a One way you can help protect the floors in your new home is to use a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier in the summer. So i know how annoying and rage inducing noise from upstairs neighbors can be. It sounds like 2 things: 1) the construction of your building is poor and 2) the tenants below are fanatically quiet oriented. Often, the noise problem is resolved simply by putting carpeting throughout the unit Aug 14, 2018 · If the problem is in your neighbor’s floor, then his landlord is responsible. Obviously some rugs can help dampen the noise. Since day one they keep receiving complaints from the downstairs neighbors who complain about hearing the footsteps of the children. I have been living on the top floor of a new building (built around a year ago) for about 8 months now and so far over the last 6 months I have received a few complaints from my neighbor downstairs about my noise level, specifically my walking. Ensure you listen to their complaints to find out exactly what is bothering them. Since moving in 8 months ago, we have rece Feb 23, 2012 · We are the upstairs neighbors, on the top-most floors. So bad we demanded to move apartments, which we did. But this is after the landlord or property manager has analyzed the situation and found that you are deliberately making noise for your neighbors and aren’t doing anything to ease the situation. Never got complaints. Keeping your home at an ideal temperature (based on the part of the country you live in) and at an optimal humidity level (ranging from 30% to 50%, based on your region) can slow down the aging process of your floor. I would suggest that you bring a bottle of wine or a rack of cold beer when you ask. Mar 20, 2017 · What these do is separate your subwoofer from the floor with a spongey or rubbery material full of air gaps. The facts are: About 9 months ago (give or take) he came upstairs one morning to complain. Jan 28, 2010 · The apartment is carpeted, but the squeaking is very audible to us and to the tenant below us, who is constantly complaining that she can hear "every step we take" even though we are mindful of Jul 5, 2023 · Step 3: Secure the subfloor to the joist. Some multi-story buildings have insulation between the Dec 1, 2021 · If you are the downstairs neighbor and the upstairs floor squeaks are becoming more than you can handle, then you can even offer to contribute or pay for a rug for your neighbor. buy carpeting for the floors. Owners of hard (and noisy) floors in associations without such a restriction are not protected. Restart Line Regarding peaceful and quiet enjoyment, it mostly has to do with precautionary measures that the HOA requires, and actions of the neighbors: HOA taking steps to reduce noise through wall to wall carpeting, no loud music or noise in the evening time, etc. Spend most of my days working, going to the gym, and in bed by 8. Apply construction adhesive to wood shims and slide them into the space between the subfloor and joist. Drill a ⅛-inch-diameter x ¾-inch-deep hole through a floorboard. 5. The person who lives below my apartment has complained to me a few times about the sound of me walking keeping them up at night. Sweep it right in and bounce on the board to get it right in there. Insert a 2-inch (6d) finishing nail into hole to determine if there’s a space below the floorboards, indicating a sleeper system. General rule in housing, if you don't want to hear neighbors above, rent on the top floor. in the meantime, area rugs can help muffle the noise a little. The downstairs neighbor is nuts. e. Tightening of the screw from below involves a good amount of repair and renovation to your ceiling. Property manager Michael Wolfe of Midboro Management says he most often hears complaints about cooking with fish or strong spices--and that the most common explanations for drifting odors include cooking on a stove without a vent hood, a clog My downstairs neighbor keeps complaining about my walking. To fill these gaps: Apply some carpenter’s glue to a wood shim (a wedge-shaped piece of wood). In our case, our neighbors didn't stop even with multiple requests from the HOA and the threat of legal action/cease and desist letter from the owner of the apartment, so we're actually moving out tomorrow. Floor coverings are part of a unit owner’s separate interest. It part of living on a lower floor and the landlord needs to be straight with the guy. If the volume is still too loud, try recording the tracks that you play on your CD player with the subwoofer. Depending on the size of your squeak, you may need to repeat Steps 2 and 3 on either side of the floor joist you’re currently working on or down the length of the first floor joist you screwed into. The thicker the pad under the carpeting, the more noise reduction you will receive. This is a good time to discuss the makeup of the floor. However, there is also the chance that it is not normal and needs to be addressed. I say, unless your lease has specific language about rugs, you can purchase rugs when the neighbor pays you. We live in an apartment on 2nd floor. My concern was that I didnt want to ruin my downstairs neighbors balcony with any water dripping and was wondering if there are other solutions that doesnt call for excess water. Nov 24, 2021 · This may be disruptive to your downstairs neighbors if you have thin flooring and they could start to complain, particularly if you combine loud walking with squeaky floors! If you remove your shoes at the door, you will be able to tread much softer throughout the house and produce less noise. My downstairs neighbor is complaining that my floor is squeaking when I walk. Gently hammer it in to the opening. A 2×10 joist measures 9 1/4” wide, and a 2×12 joist measures 11 1/4” wide. I explained this to our downstairs neighbor who confronted us in person, but I don't think they believed me (they reported us as making "exercise noises"). Mar 29, 2024 · 2. I was confused since we don’t have kids and only a small cat, so there shouldn’t be Poor insulation between floors can make noises echo and seem louder to the downstairs neighbors. Adding padding and carpet to your flooring will greatly reduce noises such as footsteps. Creaky floors occur due to a separation between floor parts like joists and the wood subfloor. Point being, outside of Park Avenue, most Boards and not going to blow $50,000+ on frivolous litigation they probably can’t win. We just moved in about a month ago, but our entire hardwood floor is terribly squeaky, and we are trying so hard to keep it quiet (tiptoes, slippers, everything)! But our downstairs neighbor has taken to tapping on the ceiling if we get up at night to use the bathroom. A few months ago a man moved in downstairs. #1. These instances have occurred a few times over the past few months, often during reasonable hours of activity (8am-10pm). A cheap immediate fix on the squeaky floor is a liberal dose of baby powder where the nails are/ squeaks come from. This’ll work in both homes and for an upstairs apartment, as it doesn’t require access to the upper floor. The place that she bangs the ceiling is usually the living room. Using this kit stops the movement of floor boards and squeaks. Carpet and padding can even be installed over your existing hard floor, if necessary. Many contractors will try to tell you that this is completely normal, and it can be. Nov 4, 2019 · Hello, We have recently moved into a flat with wooden floors. I understand that apartments are shared spaces; I do tolerate hearing music, human noises, and walking noises that come from the adjacent units. The “80 percent” rule is quite common in New York, but it’s not law. These pads dampen the vibrations before they have a chance to hit the floor and travel on to your neighbor’s home. By adding soundproof insulation to the ceiling, walls, and even the apartment floors, the material will absorb much of the noise from above, preventing it from traveling to the lower levels. From decorating, to dealing with landlords, to maximising your space. My downstairs neighbor can’t tolerate me just walking around in my apartment. A downstairs neighbor is sometimes in a vulnerable position as they may hear your every move, especially if you live in an older building. To identify the culprit, you or a professional will need to do some detective work, say our experts. Downstairs neighbors harassing and complaining about noise from my two toddlers I have been having an ongoing feud with my downstairs neighbors for the past 3 1/2 months. c) SHOW ALL OF THAT to your landlord / management company. I swear that I am trying to be quiet. The girl on the second floor and I became good friends. 2. If the problem is high humidity (over 55%), you can use a dehumidifier too. Sprinkle the lubricant into the seams or gaps between the subfloor and the floor joists beneath the carpet. Oct 7, 2021 · The next layer is subflooring that is typically a 3/4” piece of plywood. ’s situation, the board and neighbor should be contacted to confirm if the floor was changed. Feb 28, 2023 · Showing your neighbor that you are willing to listen to their concerns and make changes can help to resolve the issue. Let them know that the bass is bothering you and ask them to turn the volume down, or at least keep you in mind when they turn it up. Dec 8, 2021 · Probably the most disheartening sound you can hear in a new house is the squeak of your new floor. My dad recently bought a condo and the grandma downstairs has been up every day since to complain about noise. . It's essential to maintain positive relationships with your neighbors, even if you're dealing with noise issues. Walk in the squeaky area until you can find your squeaky spot for certain. Dec 22, 2023 · 3. Install soundproof insulation. My downstairs neighbor moved in four to five months ago. a) Check the lease for what it says. We are concerned as the second letter says that if a third complaint is received it can Dec 15, 2021 · This kit contains qty 50 screws are for stopping squeaks between or on the joist. But apart from tearing up your floor and putting in a new one, what can you do to fix your squeaky wood floors for good? Nov 1, 2014 · In P. I never wear shoes in the house, I'm trying to glide along the floors instead of picking up my feet so there is less impact. Dec 1, 2021 · Remove and put shoes on at the door, wear socks, install rugs and pads, focus on lighter footfalls, avoid walking between 10pm and 6am, and inform the neighbor about gatherings. Try a white noise machine to drown out softer sounds. Can you be evicted if your downstairs neighbor keeps complaining about noise? The unfortunate news is that, yes, you can be evicted. 3. All these are frequent noises should be handled appropriately pronto as they have an impact on the brain function and RIrocks1. Besides management trying to grease the squeaky wheel (him), he isn’t your problem period. Once the repair is done, the ceiling needs to be closed Dec 23, 2015 · It is rented out to a family with two young boys. 😎. Dec 30, 2023 · Locating the squeaky area. Loud neighbors can indeed affect the quality of your lifestyle. Presumably because the floors squeak each time I walk on them. I've been there for thirteen months. Ive vacuumed/used a broom for the debris and dust today and yeah it totally needs wet treatment, the dirt is just too thick. Floor joists are 2×10 or 2×12 boards. I covered 80 % of the apt with area rugs so the inspection passed. Aug 3, 2021 · You may be waiting for your floors to fall through, for something to get caught, or for your downstairs neighbors to complain. They complain about the squeaky floor boards too. This will require you to be very diplomatic in order to get the resident above to allow you to do this. Moved to the first floor and got new neighbors on the 2nd and 3rd. Then, try to find the closest joist to the squeak using a stud-finder. It turns out i have a squeaky floors or Landlord said if they get another written complaint, we would get a "final notice". Depending on which type of complaint, the suite-to-suite assembly (wall or floor/ceiling) can be Here are 5 EASY ways to fix the squeaks in your floors, no matter what type of flooring you have! #squeakyfloors #diy #annoying 🎬 CHECK OUT THESE RELATED V had pretty much the same situation in an old apartment except we even had carpet. One of the most effective ways to solve the problems of impact noise and creaking floorboards is to treat affected rooms or construct new properties using Hush-Panel 28 tongued-and-grooved boards. Some will say purchase rugs. My wife and I have recently bought a first-floor flat in London. Floor joists are installed perpendicular to the subflooring. I feel so bad about this. I don’t understand how my downstairs neighbor does not. If possible, have someone stay below the floor or in the basement to listen where the creaking is the loudest; this will give you a more accurate location of the issue. Downstairs neighbor is complaining about noise. Listen carefully and walk slowly across your floor to locate the squeaking spot. They don't get to hit the ceiling to intentionally harass you. Downstairs neighbor complains about noise constantly. Squeaking can be very annoying especially if your neighbor moves a lot. Adding carpeting to apartments on higher floors in your apartment complex can reduce the impact noise from footsteps by up to 20 decibels. For the more proactive homeowner who is out to find squeaks rather than wait until they call you, it’s just a matter of walking around and testing the floor. Posted by u/Illustrious_Unit_868 - No votes and 2 comments My downstairs tenants still bang on the ceiling. Some buildings don’t allow tenants to make the repairs, and it’s the job of the landlord to arrange for the job. Jun 29, 2019 · Q: I rent an apartment in a prewar building in Upper Manhattan with my wife and our 1-year-old son, who crawls. Second, I can hear our next door neighbors on a daily basis. Mar 19, 2023 · 12 Options if your downstairs neighbor complaining about noise. There is a couple living (renting) in the ground floor flat beneath us, and nobody above. Ishka_pan. Maybe work stresses him out and he takes it out on you and a problem he cab actually identify. I keep to myself, don't have parties, no pets, no kids. We have also gotten noise complaints (a written note) while we are on vacation and out of the home from downstairs and neighbors across the hall so we are thinking the upstairs neighbors shake the whole part of the building when they’re loud. If he is so sensitive to sound from an upstairs unit, he should have moved into a top floor unit. The floor is like a giant resonator for bass, so isolation is a must to avoid angry neighbors. hand pointing at screws in white carpet. Insulation is one of the most effective ways to block Aug 25, 2020 · Squeaky noise caused by humidity can be resolved by installing a humidifier. Remember that your neighbors are people too, and approaching them with kindness and respect can go a long way. My other neighbors I've talked to, and they find my noise levels to be quiet/acceptable. Find the Squeak. The main thing here, however, is finding the cause of the noise and ensuring it’s not a structural problem. Install carpeting with a thick pad underneath. She is a young woman in her early to mid-twenties with a baby. Third floor slammed doors, stomped up the stairs and had loud fights. Or those living in close proximity might be having dinner parties that go all the way past midnight. never once did they verbally complain. Tenants regularly get evicted for noise complaints (disruption). In either case, however, it’s most likely going to entail tearing up a portion of your ceiling, as most such repairs are made from the below the problem, not above. You can either fix squeaky floors from the Hi folks I've seen a number of similar threads on this issue but just wanted to ask for some advice. I was in the same situation several years ago when I was living in the suburbs area. Credit: Jessica Isaac. Next are the floor joists that make up the majority of the space between you and your downstairs neighbor. Get some baby powder or corn starch and sprinkle it in groves in the floor above. Try to find common ground and build a friendly rapport. Jul 30, 2019 · Step 2: Using a 2” long finish nail, drive it with a hammer into the flooring directly over a joist. Allegedly the children are running up and down and are using a scooter in the flat. They have large dogs and I think the dogs are the main source of their noise. My apartment is also completely carpeted except for the Complain about them. Nov 17, 2022 · Insert Shims into Gaps Between Joists and the Subfloor. They have sent security in the middle of the night complaining about the noise but we were asleep by then. Slowly walk around room to pinpoint squeaky floorboards. My psycho downstairs neighbor keeps complaining about me. and we would constantly get the bang bang bang from like a broom or something. Apply Lubrication. You get to walk around in the apartment. If nothing works, you must plan your move to a quiet and more peaceful environment. The downstairs unit owner then issues a complaint to the homeowners association about unreasonable noises that are a direct result of these new floors (usual complaints include noise from walking, voices, music, or television sounds). Feb 23, 2024 · 1. If your neighbors are routinely noisy while you’re trying to sleep, try putting a white noise machine in your bedroom. Mar 6, 2012 · The fact that you've been trying to remedy the squeaky-floor situation despite your downstairs neighbor's behavior really says a lot about your character. If the problem persists, consider involving your landlord or filing a noise complaint. It is just myself and my gf, no kids, no pets, and we are very considerate people. Hi all, I live in a second-story apartment, it's the middle level of the building. Jul 16, 2013 · A. Impact noise can go in all directions! Looking for solutions. (36 years!) Babies with colic were never an issue for us. May 8, 2024 · 2. I can understand being frustrated but my sympathy is curtailed when he’s banging on our door past Steps: 1. I think if you simply ignore her behavior for a while, you'll driver her even more nuts, and maybe drive her out of the apartment. Oct 7, 2021 · Next are the floor joists that make up the majority of the space between you and your downstairs neighbor. My floors are on sleepers and there is about 4" of space between the wood floors you walk on and the subfloor that rests on the joists. Downstairs neighbor complaining about noise. Best Options for Stopping Floor Squeaks. Nov 30, 2021 · If your downstairs neighbor is complaining about squeaking floors, but the issues is not fixable with screws, you will have to make arrangements with them to gain access to the underside of the floor through their ceiling. They are under the impression that we're walking unneccessarily or exercising late a night. Locate the joist nearest the squeak. This matters because if your floor is on sleeper, the nails must hit the sleeper to do any good. Downstairs Neighbor Complaining About Noise. ADMIN MOD. So, the music or TV might be too loud. Usually, it only takes 10 minutes to fix the problem. May 11, 2021 · Sometimes, an upstairs neighbor can suffer from impact noise from their downstairs neighbor, too. We were quiet on floors 1 & 2. Conservative landlords often tend to support noise complainants. If you aren’t heavy enough, get a larger friend to help you out. She is trashy, as is her family. Now, to your other point. my god, my cats playing, running the dishwasher (at reasonable times), taking a bath, my wife and i laughing…. The first complaint I got was a note Nov 30, 2020 · Provide an effective solution with Hush-Panel 28. K. The fact the downstairs renter tried to make you think your floors are bad because they can hear you is just laughable. First, our entire apartment is carpeted except for the kitchen and the bathrooms. I work late, so I am usually moving around after midnight but I don’t play music, and I keep my TV volume low. However, if you or your tenants We also wanted B and the landlord to be in our living room, we go downstairs and they walk around so we could hear it ourselves, but that hasn't happened. The downstairs neighbor has complained about squeaky sound and heavy foot st Folks, need help here. If the issue remains, it means that the humidity is not the source of the problem and you should search further. The 6 year old is at school however the 1 year old is at home during the day. I am a girl in her mid 20s and have my own apartment in an upstairs unit. Not the people below. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. We lived in a very bad apartment building before this and we had TERRIBLE upstairs neighbors. The problem should disappear in a few days. So, my new neighbor that lives below me came to talk to me on Saturday bc she says that she constantly hears noise from her ceiling. Mar 5, 2021 · When Acoustical Testing Does Reveal a Noise Transmission Deficiency To summarize, when a resident is complaining about hearing their neighbor, they could be complaining about either airborne sound transmission or structure-borne sound transmission. Hello Neighbours moved in below me 3 years ago, and havent stopped complaining about alleged noise coming from my flat. Moreover, even if the squeaks are not ominous, they may be unnecessary. To fix the upstairs squeak, you will need several items. Our upstairs neighbor has children and dogs, and I hear children running/playing near the stairwell often. Using a nail set, drive the nail head below the surface of the flooring approximately ⅛”. Check to see if the squeak is still there. I've lived here since November. Other than that, fuck him and his ridiculous list of demands. Whenever our son spins an object on the floor, or drops a toy, our downstairs Our downstairs neighbor has been complaining about the sound of me (and maybe my spouse) walking in our bedroom at night. Last week, she filed another complaint about the noise so they came to inspect the apartment again. One way to effectively deal with airborne sound and impact noise is to add more mass to your ceiling. Complain to The Landlord. I was complaining not only to the squeaking floors but also to the noisy neighbors who were living above and beside my room. You may need these. Dec 13, 2021 · Step 4: Repeat As Necessary. Nov 15, 2013 · My downstairs neighbor has been complaining to the super, then to me directly and then via a note under my door. b) Show that you've made real effort, i. [5] If you don't have a stud finder, you can use a hammer or another heavy object to tap on the floor and listen. 4. dc lo uw ke mr vb bp wt tq dx