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June 20, 2008
Noisy Neighbor Behind Brick Wall
I have a next door neighbor that likes to play guitar jazz really loudly at all hours of the day and night. We are not in the same building and are separated by a brick wall, which you might think keeps the sound out but it really doesn't do much good. And since the wall is brick I can't really bang on it, and since he is not in my building I can't just try to talk to him in the hallway. I left a note and it got better for a little while, I have tried calling 311 and the local precinct, but they show up and don't hear anything outside so they leave. I think the apartment is a rental, would it be possible to find out who the landlord is and speak to them directly, or does anyone have any other advice?
Comments
You know that video with Run DMC and Aero Smith, where Steven Tyler gets so mad that he breaks through the wall and then, through music fusion, they all end up being friends, sort of. Maybe you could try something like that.
Posted by: guest at June 20, 2008 3:32 PM
Ha, that's funny. I can turn on my AC, put in ear plugs, and put a pillow over my head and sleep, but it's so loud that I can't watch TV or listen to my own music.
Posted by: canyouwink at June 20, 2008 3:38 PM
Ok so who has the exposed brick wall?
Posted by: guest at June 20, 2008 4:16 PM
Can you check in the hallway? There's usually some sort of sign re who owns the building, and if fact I believe in any multi-unit dwelling, it's supposed to be there by law. If not, I think you an look it up on the DOB web site or something like that. One of the homeowners can probably tell you better than I.
Posted by: bxgrl at June 20, 2008 5:46 PM
If you're a homeowner and have a few hundred bucks to throw at the problem, I would suggest soundproofing the wall:
1. Build a partition that stands off the brick at least 1/2"--it can't touch the brick, this is the most important part.
2. Cotton batt insulation works to dampen noise in a way fiberglass does not.
3. 2 layers of quietrock, or if you are on a budget, 2 layers of 5/8" sheetrock.
If that doesn't cut it, find the offending denizen and talk to him in person when he's not playing music and there is no conflict. Calmly and politely tell him that he's got great musical taste, but that everybody wants to be able to hear their own music.
Perhaps a win-win would be putting the speakers on the other wall?
Posted by: vanburenproud at June 20, 2008 6:49 PM
Ha, just read this and can't resist pointing you to www.smithmag.net/nextdoorneighbor truelife webcomic next door neighbor stories!
write yours as part of the contest to enter your own Next-Door Neighbor story, and you could win a great comic book artist dramatizing your drama!
Posted by: guest at June 20, 2008 7:41 PM
if its brick on your side you could try banging on it with a hammer or something...maybe in the middle of the night when he's just stopped playing.
Posted by: guest at June 20, 2008 10:23 PM
Structurally-born noise can't be addressed with sound absorbent material because the entire structure is, in effect, a passive speaker. The ceiling and floor joists are resting on that brick so they're gonna vibrate along with it.
You need to fix structurally-born noise at the source. Get him to mechanically isolate his speakers for starters. Even putting them on a pillow would help. A vibration isolating neoprene mat would be better.
Posted by: Steve at June 20, 2008 10:47 PM
Yep.
That's exactly why the ancients framed and plastered it all up.
$#@!!)
Posted by: guest at June 20, 2008 10:55 PM
i have the same issue with my neighbor - not day or night but teenage band practice, amplifiers and all, several times a week. my whole house vibrates.
i keep hoping that the owners will have an epiphany and realize that they could do something proactive - maybe the neoprene mats or something or some other kind of insulation (they play in the sub-basement). my libertarianism and our previous history prevents me from bringing it up with them.
in attached houses you would think people would realize that they are connected to their neighbors and be a little considerate. sadly, i think my optimism is misplaced.
Posted by: doodle at June 21, 2008 11:54 AM
The piece that's missing here is that you can't communicate with them. Who knows, if they knew they were bothering you they might listen with headphones or something. Try placing a notice in the next building, on their door, that you are a neighbor and there's a noise problem. Also, I agree with the comment above to contact the landlord or coop, that might help.
Posted by: Smokychimp at June 21, 2008 12:00 PM
return the favor and blast music against their wall tonight at 4:00am. repeat every night for a week, hopefully they will get the picture. they may not realize how loud they are or how the sound is traveling.
Posted by: guest at June 23, 2008 9:57 AM
As a former source of this kind of noise, I can tell you this guy probably has no idea how much of a disturbance he is causing. As several other posters have also pointed out, if you can figure out a way to talk to him, you should be able to solve the problem. once I found out what a problem my amp was for my neighbors, I was happy to use headphones to practice late at night. Maybe you want to not only track this guy down, but give him some nice headphones as a housewarming gift. :-)
Posted by: guest at June 23, 2008 3:13 PM
3:13 is right, people should be using headphones to practice guitar. People just have no sense at all.
Call 311 and the DOB, tell them the noise is well above ambient level and it plays late at night. (Both illegal -- we DO have a noise code in NYC). They will send somebody to measure it and tell the dude to shut up.
Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 6:47 PM
You know, I have this same problem. The guys who live below me play loud amplified electric guitar whenever the hell they want. They play at 7AM; they play at 3AM' they play at 11PM. Whenever they feel the need to release some artistic energy, they play their guitar -- really REALLY loud. It's so loud that it vibrates the floor that we share (their ceiling). My body shakes as I sit on the couch in pain and anger, trying to figure out how to get back at them.
We have spoken to them several times about it and they choose to not respect our wishes. We have called 311 and the local police department to notify them. The police can only stop the noise for 10 minutes and when they leave, the guys amp up again.
It's so frustrating. Please come by and annoy them: 86 7th Avenue, apartment 2. Maybe just ring their doorbell over and over at unusual hours.
Posted by: guest at June 28, 2008 10:10 AM
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