Flanking Noise From Neighbours Heard Through Whole House Questions and answers on many aspects of soundproofing areas of your home

[chx]

Semi detached with adjoining party wall on kitchen, open plan lounge/stairs, bathroom and bedroom.

Problem is flanking noise from neighbours kitchen heard in whole house. Trying to work out where its leaking from. There are cracks in the plaster and concrete? blocks in the kitchen party wall where previous owners have fitted wall cupboards and cables for lights. Could these cracks in the blocks be contributing to the noise?

[DNJohnston]

Hi chx

This sounds annoying! When we talk about flanking noise we mean specifically noise getting to you via any route other than straight through the separating wall. It sounds like you think the problem could be the coming straight through as well?

These things are incredibly difficult to diagnose - what types of sound do you hear? Is it conversations / music / tv from the kitchen or is it when they are chopping, closing cupboards, banging pans etc? Or something else?

If it is conversations then the cracks could be an issue, but that would be less likely to radiate throughout the whole house. It is more likely structure-borne.

What is the build up of the separating wall?

Are you on good terms with your neighbours? Could you do some diagnostic testing? If they are just living their lives and you don't go in there guns blazing saying "YOU'RE RUINING MY LIFE!" they might be amenable to some exploration of the issue.

Good luck, and don't fall out with your neighbours!