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How to Sound-Proof Your Home

Shhh…can you hear that? Whether you enjoy life in the city or suburbs, there’s no escaping some level of outside noise disturbance. From road traffic to lawn mowers buzzing away and your neighbor pounding nails in his new fence, it’s out there just waiting to distract you.

Which begs the quiet: how can a homeowner get more indoor peace and quiet? Here are several effective ways.

 

Add rugs and curtains. Bare windows and hardwood floors may help your home look open and airy, but they also help noise bounce around. Add area rugs, upholstered furniture, and drapes to absorb sound, especially in large open areas.

Add weather-stripping. Gaps around windows and doors not only let outdoor noise in, they provide an escape route for warm or cool air. Weather strip areas where sashes meet headers, jambs, and sills, and seal gaps around electrical outlets and light switch covers.

Replace hollow doors with solid-core. They provide better insulation inside and out.

Apply duct wrap to tone down the sound of air moving through your ducts.

Choose quiet appliances. From the sound of the dishwasher to the beep of the microwave, appliances generate quite a bit of noise inside the home. You do have alternatives, and an increasing number to choose from.

Use padding under small appliances. Specially made rubber pads placed between a blender and hard surface can help reduce the noise the blender generates when in use. Similar options are available for other household appliances like washing machines and air conditioners.

Fix squeaky floors and doors. Tighten up flooring to prevent floorboards from rubbing up against each other and making noise. For squeaky doors, a little WD-40 (or a dab of olive oil) on the hinges can make them open and close without a peep.

Upgrade the garage door opener. If the sound of family members coming and going is driving you batty, consider upgrading to a direct-drive garage door opener which has fewer moving parts, therefore generating less noise when used.

Another sound you shouldn’t have to live with is a noisy water heater. In fact, if you can hear it from down in your basement, it probably means something is seriously wrong with it, like the anode breaking off and banging around the inside of the tank.

At the first sign of water heater trouble or any other plumbing problem, contact Connor Plumbing – your plumber for all reasons and all seasons.

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