Noise from neighbours can annoy, cause stress and generally affect the quality of life in a residential area.
The following is a guidance note to identify potential noisy equipment and to suggest ways to minimise noise from DIY to avoid causing a problem to your neighbours.
- Hand tools
- use of things like hammers and saws etc can cause a lot of noise.
- Power tools
- for example: drills, saws, sanders should be used at reasonable
times for a restricted period.
- Machinery/equipment
- people can now hire more 'professional' tools and plant such as pneumatic
hammers, cement mixers, large power saws and planers, compressors, generators
that are considerably noisy. Use of such equipment would require greater consideration
towards neighbours relating to noise. Check that any equipment to be used
is in good working order as sometimes equipment can be noisier if it is not
regularly serviced.
- Party walls and floors
- work on party walls or floor between properties can give out high
levels of noise. The stripping of wallpaper or wall preparation can sound
very loud to your next door neighbour.
- Radios/stereos
- it seems most people want the radio/stereo on when they are doing
DIY - it eases the burden! The volume needs to be kept down.
People being subjected to noise from DIY activities need respite, especially if young children are involved.
We realise that DIY activities have to take place and as a result, for a time your neighbour may be subjected to noise. When assessing noise nuisance, certain factors are taken into consideration such as the time, duration and character of the noise.
Disturbance from DIY building and decorating can be minimised by keeping noisy activities to reasonable hours and by thinking about what type of activity you are doing.