Internal Wall Insulation Question

[chrisnic0]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to ask some advice. We moved into a new build Aug 2016. The noise internally has always been a problem and we mentioned it to the builder who didn't want to know. Someone else on the estate has just mentioned that theirs also had bad internal noise/insulation and that theirs has been replaced. (that house was built Jan 2018, I've only just found this out)

I've had a look through the NHBC site, but randomly the PDF regards Internal Walls is "under review March 2016" and I can't get access. The internal walls are as follows. Plasterboard, bonded to a wooden stud, this is drilled into breeze block and repeated on the other side. Does this sound right to anyone? There is no installation whatsoever from what I can tell. Is this mandatory?

Any help very much appreciated.

Cheers

[Andeh1]

Is this between houses, semi detached, or internal within your house?

Very little options with either to be honest, it's par for the course for any vaguely "modern" property.

Edit:
I should add, for more assistance what sort of noise is the issue?

Edited by Andeh1 on Sunday 16th December 21:24

[chrisnic0]

Thanks for the reply. It's a detached. Regarding the noise you can hear the difference between 2 and 1! In other rooms haha. Also showers are very loud downstairs.

[Saleen836]

If the internal walls are blockwork the plasterboard will be stuck with a drywall adhesive to the blockwork with no timber framework, if the internal walls are either timber or metal frame there should be sound insulation between bathrooms and adjoining rooms.

[chrisnic0]

Yes you're right the only wall I have seen like that is in the lounge where I have mounted the TV and needed to drop some cables. If one is like that the is it likely all will be? Also are block then bonded plasterboard okay? Is there anyway to reduce noise?

Thanks for your help

[Andeh1]

Lucky git! Our internal walls are two sheets of plasterboard held up via a metal frame.

I going to become rich & famous when I invented some of sort of injectable sound insulation for such hollow walls. Just haven't figured it out yet!

[Saleen836]

chrisnic0 said:

Yes you're right the only wall I have seen like that is in the lounge where I have mounted the TV and needed to drop some cables. If one is like that the is it likely all will be? Also are block then bonded plasterboard okay? Is there anyway to reduce noise?

Thanks for your help

Ground floor internal walls on a traditional build tend to be more blockwork to support floor joists, first floor either timber or metal studwork (with sometimes the odd block wall)
Apart from over boarding the party walls with soundbloc plasterboard or a frame to install sound insulation-board there isn't a whole lot you can do really apart from lay toilet paper in the water first before taking a dump!