Condo noise advice v. hardwood floors above me are insanely loud (Austin: condominiums, how much)

[Ted White]

Dealing with Neighbor Noise through your Ceiling (http://www.soundproofingcompany.com/solutions/neighbor_noise/neighbor_noise_ceilings - broken link)

It's helpful to understand some of the science behind what's going on there.

[CondoResident]

All of you here are just old nuts. Big deal, let the people live. Now they have to fly not to disturb you. Get a life and get over it!!!

[BentBow]

Originally Posted by CondoResident

All of you here are just old nuts. Big deal, let the people live. Now they have to fly not to disturb you. Get a life and get over it!!!

I see somebody doesn't like the noise from your new hard surface floor, either.

[briannasmomma]

I live in an upstairs apartment and I literally have to tip toe so my steps don't make noise. Does anyone realize how uncomfortable that is? To tip toe all day long? My husband was downstairs in my neighbor's apartment to watch football the other day and when he came up after the game was over, he says "WHAT were you doing up here?" I looked at him like he was crazy because I was walking around (on tip toe practically), reading my daughter books, and he thought I was jumping around and running! To me it does not sound like that, and I can do my best to prevent things from dropping and pick up a chair to move it and not drag it, but noisy footsteps...it's something you have to live with. If you can't deal with it, move.

[stc888]

Originally Posted by briannasmomma

I live in an upstairs apartment and I literally have to tip toe so my steps don't make noise. Does anyone realize how uncomfortable that is? To tip toe all day long? My husband was downstairs in my neighbor's apartment to watch football the other day and when he came up after the game was over, he says "WHAT were you doing up here?" I looked at him like he was crazy because I was walking around (on tip toe practically), reading my daughter books, and he thought I was jumping around and running! To me it does not sound like that, and I can do my best to prevent things from dropping and pick up a chair to move it and not drag it, but noisy footsteps...it's something you have to live with. If you can't deal with it, move.

Maybe you should have laid down the proper underlayment instead of blaming other people for the problem you caused in the first place by not installing your flooring properly. "If you can't deal with it, move?" What the hell. That's the problem with our society these days, it's always someone else's fault and the world revolves around you, even when you're at fault... I'm sure if the situation was reversed you'd be yelling, screaming and complaining to the end of the earth.

[justwant2build]

Minimum Building Codes were met the building would have never passed inspection. Do your homework, minimum just makes the structure safe. Makes the building cost much cheaper as well. Find a competant builder and more importantly don't depend on the builders word. Educate yourself and make sure the installation was done correctly. You can buy the best materials but if you screw up the installation it was all for nothing. Bottom dollar = bottom quality normally. Especially today people are desperate.

Right now you are SOL unless the building has some provisions for remodels and restrictions on flooring(good chance it does). Civil suit and a lawyer is probably the only way to go. It's gonna cost you money in the end.

I know it isn't your fault in this case and it's the guy upstairs that screwed himself. Saved a buck and got the look he wanted but didn't think about everything involved. He's gonna have to take his licks and his remodel just ended costing him more than he bargained for.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! in everything, research everything you buy especially things that costs lots of money(houses/remodels) vet the contractor and the products. People will lie cheat and steal to make a buck these days. Your only protection is your brain and knowing what is al involved.

Find a good lawyer, good luck. Stick it to him and make an example so he will learn.

[quickxchange]

I came across this page on an internet search, because the unit owner above me informed me he wanted to install hardwood floors.

BentBow on post #13 helped me find the building code section that has a performance specification for noise transmission of habitable occupancies, and I am very grateful for his post.

Anyone who lives in a state that has adopted IBC2006 or a variant, there is specific language under section 1207 for floor sound transmission.

I happen to be a professional engineer and understand it, however the short of it is it is illegal to have hardwood floors that perform below a 50 Sound Transmission Class (STC). What this means is when someones feet generate noise above, if the floor assembly does not attenuate by 50 dBA or better. You can read some more about STC and IIC here:
Acoustics.com: Codes & Testing - Sound Transmission Class (STC)
Acoustics.com: Codes & Testing - Impact Insulation Class (IIC)

A laywer not educated in physics or building codes would miss this. This is mostly an Architect's headache, i just tackled this because of my neighboor.

Without 6" of concrete it would be impossible for 1/4" cork fiber to dampen footstep generated noise to the 50 STC building code requirement. So, unless there is 6" of concrete below the cork/hardwood floor assemble then the person above is in violation of State Law, and legal remedy can be effectivelly pursued.

Again, many thanks to BentBow on post #13, and the above code sections should empower whomever lives under the latest editions of the IBC.

[MMichelle]

There have been cases where the HOA has required the upstairs neighbor to re-install carpet and pad. However, I think it's a very uphill battle.
A more practical solution is to insulate your ceilings. I notice others have posted links, etc. Frankly, this will be your best solution. Do your research and I'm sure you can find a method of adding sound deading material to your ceiling.
Best wishes.

[Ted White]

If you look at the article linked previously, you'll find that insulation is very limited in this solution. The article looks at the only 4 aspects of physics that are available to stop sound through a ceiling. Insulation is one of the 4, but the least contributive.

Fortunately there are dozens and dozens of lab tests that isolate exactly what is effective and what is not.

[eplur]

Originally Posted by quickxchange

I came across this page on an internet search, because the unit owner above me informed me he wanted to install hardwood floors.

BentBow on post #13 helped me find the building code section that has a performance specification for noise transmission of habitable occupancies, and I am very grateful for his post.

Anyone who lives in a state that has adopted IBC2006 or a variant, there is specific language under section 1207 for floor sound transmission.

I happen to be a professional engineer and understand it, however the short of it is it is illegal to have hardwood floors that perform below a 50 Sound Transmission Class (STC). What this means is when someones feet generate noise above, if the floor assembly does not attenuate by 50 dBA or better. You can read some more about STC and IIC here:
Acoustics.com: Codes & Testing - Sound Transmission Class (STC)
Acoustics.com: Codes & Testing - Impact Insulation Class (IIC)

A laywer not educated in physics or building codes would miss this. This is mostly an Architect's headache, i just tackled this because of my neighboor.

Without 6" of concrete it would be impossible for 1/4" cork fiber to dampen footstep generated noise to the 50 STC building code requirement. So, unless there is 6" of concrete below the cork/hardwood floor assemble then the person above is in violation of State Law, and legal remedy can be effectivelly pursued.

Again, many thanks to BentBow on post #13, and the above code sections should empower whomever lives under the latest editions of the IBC.

So where should I go for help? I bought a middle floor condo in a brand new 4 unit building two years ago. The impact noise from above is unbearable, and we have hardwood floors. The State of NJ does adopt the building code you have mentioned, and I suspect the IIC level in my building to be way below 50. The seller (builder of the building) still owns the unit above me and has refused to install carpeting upstairs inspite of my pleadings. Where should I go for help?