Noise Regulations

I saw your post and it reminded me of my experiences with building management. The only thing you can probably do is just complain until they do something. I've lived in horribly built dorms and apartments my whole college career. It amazes me how much they skimp on building quality. In my old dorm, I measured the deflection of my ceiling when the large people above me jumped. The ceiling would at least move a good half inch, it was plainly visible to the naked eye. It still boggles my mind how bouncy those floors were. A small person walking in the middle of the room would make the desks and dressers move and shake. It usually wasn't the noises that woke me up, it was the bouncy shaking building!!! I was hoping to uncover how the school got ripped off by shoddy construction but ran out of will to actually do it. Being a jerk won't get them to do anything so you have to just keep it polite. Then after several more times you should get an attorney buddy to write up a professional looking note saying that if they don't fix it they will be sued. After all, you're paying them to provide you with an acceptable place to live. It's probably not worth suing over though. If they are complete jerks, you should probably just move. It's far easier than arguing about stuff. Maybe if you got signatures of everyone affected and then go to the management people. -Nick

I wonder if, with management's concurrence and assuming they won't do anything further about the problem, it might not be worth it to take up a collection with your fellow residents and install a pressure regulator in your floor's water main?

There -should- be laws on the books concerning keeping rental properties in livable conditions. I would think that would cover your situation, but as a disclaimer, I'm not a real estate lawyer in south Florida. I'd find one and see if he could shed some light on your situation.

Installing an isolation hose in the piping.

Or there may be a pipe that is passing thru a floor joist or pipe hangar with a gap that allows motion or rattling.

There may also be a defective check valve in the piping.

There may also be a loose piece of metal in the piping, steamfitters have been known to leave a rag, ???

If it is old pump then may be it needs replacement of bearing of motor or pump. Better to call pump repair man and check the pump and motor. May be pump is not suitable for the existing conditions.

Suresh.Sharma

Who runs the Condo board? In some states tenants have the ability to vote and be part of the board and can actually make changes.

Perhaps an updated pump/drive system could solve both the condo management's issue and your noise problem. A variable speed drive would adjust the pump speed to meet the pressure or flow requirement, and reduce the night time noise. At the same time, varible speed would reduce the electricity usage at the pump and save the management $$$ on the electric bill. Politely ask them to investigate. ITT-B&G has various packages that may fill the bill. Might be worth a tax credit also.

Does the pump constantly run at full (100%) power or close to it? If so, the power should be limited to 85-max 95% (with a frequency inverter). If the water pressure becomes too low then, the pump is probably not suitable and should be replaced by a stronger one. If thois is too expensive then maybe a noise insulation (small housing with polystyrene or other suitable materials; but consider the heat dissipation of the pump!) will sufficiently reduce the problem. If the noise is generated by vibrating pipes and/or other mountings, they should be wrapped with some elastic jacket - at least where they are attached to the walls or running free through walls.

Thank you all for your valuable help. With the information you provided, I have had some serious discussions with the manangement of the building and they are reviewing the demand / pump size etc.

Appreciate your help.

You're welcome. Let us know how management resolves the problem.