Pool pump noise
- Thread starter Bosox6ersfan
- Start date
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,681
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
+1 for VS pump. But to answer your original question, google "air conditioner sound barrier."
I researched these a while back, but never got past that. I decided I didn't use my AC enough to warrant it.
The results of that search will reveal all sorts of solutions, from vinyl fence-like enclosures that provide some sound dampening, to sound blankets, to sound dampening "tiles" that can be fabricated into just about any size or shape. There are many aesthetic choices, too. You could buy something that is ready to install, or materials to build something of any size and shape: one to enclose your entire pool pad, or just the pump. Prices range from about $30 for materials, to $130 for 2-wall enclosures, and up from there.
That said, if I may, a little "good neighborly" advice. You should not rely on the kind nature of your neighbor for a solution (as you have been). If he's like me, he's too nice to complain about the noise. If it really didn't bother him, he would have fibbed and answered "no" to your question about hearing the pump. His answer of "yes" was as much as he could muster to ask you to do something about the sound. He's wishing you would, I can almost guarantee that.
I have a neighbor that recently got a dog. The dog barks at me whenever I move in my yard. He'll stop if I call out his name, and it doesn't happen often (he's inside mostly), so I've decided to not let it bother me (the neighbor left me no other option). But the truth is, it kinda does bother me occasionally. I shouldn't be barked at while in my own yard. And I shouldn't have to quiet the dog. That's not my responsibility. He was barking at my house guests yesterday. And that was bothering them. Which bothered me. It's not OK.
We all make some noise in our neighborhood, and have a right to expect our neighbors to tolerate a reasonable amount. Like mowing a lawn, or sawing some wood for a repair, or even some noisy kids in our pool once in a while. But a barking dog, IMO, every day, is not reasonable. Nor is a noisy pool pump. Or any repeating, daily mechanical noise or motor sound. The fact that he can hear it at all means it's on you to quiet it, not on him to live with it. And IMO, rescheduling to the day is not the solution, nor should your neighbor be put upon to request that. He shouldn't be able to hear it day or night. Again, you've been taking advantage of his kindness as an excuse to not solve the problem, to not spend the money. That, too, is not OK.
The VS pump is the right thing to do. For you and your finances, for your neighbor and his rightful peace, and for the environment. Get it done by Spring. If you really can't afford it, then the baffling might help. But frankly, it should be upon you to do without, so that you can afford the pump now. Not on your neighbor to continue to be disturbed until you can free up some cash. It's not on him to help you send your kids to college, or to help you with your roof (which is in essence what you've foisted on him by prioritizing your needs over his peace and quiet).
Of all the things you can invest in for your home, and your quality of life, great relationships with your neighbors is near the top of the list. That's an even better ROI than a VS pump will be!
You did write "Any feedback appreciated." There ya go. Just a perspective you might not have considered...
I researched these a while back, but never got past that. I decided I didn't use my AC enough to warrant it.
The results of that search will reveal all sorts of solutions, from vinyl fence-like enclosures that provide some sound dampening, to sound blankets, to sound dampening "tiles" that can be fabricated into just about any size or shape. There are many aesthetic choices, too. You could buy something that is ready to install, or materials to build something of any size and shape: one to enclose your entire pool pad, or just the pump. Prices range from about $30 for materials, to $130 for 2-wall enclosures, and up from there.
That said, if I may, a little "good neighborly" advice. You should not rely on the kind nature of your neighbor for a solution (as you have been). If he's like me, he's too nice to complain about the noise. If it really didn't bother him, he would have fibbed and answered "no" to your question about hearing the pump. His answer of "yes" was as much as he could muster to ask you to do something about the sound. He's wishing you would, I can almost guarantee that.
I have a neighbor that recently got a dog. The dog barks at me whenever I move in my yard. He'll stop if I call out his name, and it doesn't happen often (he's inside mostly), so I've decided to not let it bother me (the neighbor left me no other option). But the truth is, it kinda does bother me occasionally. I shouldn't be barked at while in my own yard. And I shouldn't have to quiet the dog. That's not my responsibility. He was barking at my house guests yesterday. And that was bothering them. Which bothered me. It's not OK.
We all make some noise in our neighborhood, and have a right to expect our neighbors to tolerate a reasonable amount. Like mowing a lawn, or sawing some wood for a repair, or even some noisy kids in our pool once in a while. But a barking dog, IMO, every day, is not reasonable. Nor is a noisy pool pump. Or any repeating, daily mechanical noise or motor sound. The fact that he can hear it at all means it's on you to quiet it, not on him to live with it. And IMO, rescheduling to the day is not the solution, nor should your neighbor be put upon to request that. He shouldn't be able to hear it day or night. Again, you've been taking advantage of his kindness as an excuse to not solve the problem, to not spend the money. That, too, is not OK.
The VS pump is the right thing to do. For you and your finances, for your neighbor and his rightful peace, and for the environment. Get it done by Spring. If you really can't afford it, then the baffling might help. But frankly, it should be upon you to do without, so that you can afford the pump now. Not on your neighbor to continue to be disturbed until you can free up some cash. It's not on him to help you send your kids to college, or to help you with your roof (which is in essence what you've foisted on him by prioritizing your needs over his peace and quiet).
Of all the things you can invest in for your home, and your quality of life, great relationships with your neighbors is near the top of the list. That's an even better ROI than a VS pump will be!
You did write "Any feedback appreciated." There ya go. Just a perspective you might not have considered...
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All good, and you're 100% right, i wrote "Any feedback appreciated." So, I popped my head over the fence and let him read your reply (I zoomed in as much as my phone allows, neighbor is in his 60s so i can't guarantee he saw everything). Thought that was the clearest and most authentic way to relay what you said. Our relationship is "like it or hate it, but I'm gonna let you know how I feel " so i am pretty sure he his response was honest.
Convo: "Do you agree with the guy?" (Dirk is typically a male name, I apologize if we are mistaken). I said "Absolutely, he may have taken it further than I expected, but his post cuts to a point most neighbors don't want to discuss " Neighbor, "I have 3 dogs, one which barks at you any time you walk out back and she sees you." Me, "Dog doesn't bother me a bit, if she was howling at 2 in the morning I wouldn't be happy but that never happens." Neighbor, "I've been listening to that pump for 19 years, doesn't bother me a bit." Then we bullshitted for 15 minutes like normal.
So I can't 100% confirm one way or the other if it really bothers my neighbor or not. That being said, we have have always been completely open about things we like or dont like, regardless of magnitude. I posted on here just to be proactive. Wouldn't send my twins to college expecting anyone to suffer for my choice. Dont get me wrong. Im broke like 99% of the rest of the world, but if he even hinted about being annoyed id find a way to fix it. I stuffed some rubber matting under my pad for now. Decibel meter shows 2db under the specs of the motor alone. Raining non stop here so haven't seen him since to ask if he can still hear it or not.
I appreciate the dialogue though, even if some is not pool related. Only thing I do want to ask is based on comment of, "you should not rely on the kind nature of your neighbor for a solution (as you have been)." Is there somewhere in my posts that I've hinted towards that? Him and I have replaced 7 sections (56 feet) of the wooden privacy fence between our yards but that was only because the wooden posts are rotting. He said fence is right on property line so technically he coulda pinned the replacement entirely on me (Not an attorney, so no clue how all that works). Wanna make sure I'm not stepping on toes and missing it.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,681
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Wow, lots to unpack. Not in any particular order. I'll start with the simplest. Fences between neighbors have raised hairs for ions. Judges don't want to hear it. If you went to court, with all the plot plans and county docs and land surveyor specs either of you could muster, the judge would stop you both in five minutes, no matter how the fence sits, and make you each pay half. 99 times out of 100.
I'm flattered that you even bothered to read my post. I probably wrote it late at night, and I do go on. Like most of my musings, and as I have admitted here countless times, most of my thoughts are projection. How I would feel. What I would think. Or how I think others should think. All worth barely a grain of salt! But even if I was dead wrong, if I contributed in even the tinest way to bettering your relationship with your neighbor, I'd be pretty proud of that. And you showing him the post! Well that was unexpected!! I might have written it differently had I known he'd be in the audience!
I had a little trouble following along with who said what in the convo, but you certainly gave him every opportunity to express himself, and that's amazing. For whatever it's worth, I'd be happy to have you as a neighbor! You know, as long as you get rid of that d--m pump!
And if I read it right, and it's this same neighbor that has a dog that barks at you, I take it all back, all bets are off on the pump noise! Tit for tat. Heh, heh, heh.
For the record, my pronouns are still the same ones I was born with: he and him, but I appreciate you giving them a thought. Ha, I thought one of our members was a woman, based on her avatar, and I referred to "her" as such for years. He finally sent me a PM and corrected me. Turns out the avatar was just a pic he liked, "she" wasn't him at all! He thought it funny, and didn't say anything for all that time. But then he changed his avatar to a hot rod car. Ah, the world in which we live. Whaddayagonnado?
And you must know, and I acknowledge, that I couldn't possibly have known with any certainty that what I was guessing at, or "guaranteeing" was 100% true. It was all conjecture, and only intended to give you something to think about.
It honestly sounds like you are trying to do what is right for your neighborhood. Even thinking about your pump volume, and being willing to discuss it here, and directly with your neighbor, puts you in the top 98% of good neighbors. Many wouldn't even be aware of it, and others would know it was loud and wouldn't care (the "tough noogies" crowd). So kudos. I have no doubt you'll address it as best you can, when you can.
I can explain the bit about "you should not rely on the kind nature of your neighbor for a solution (as you have been)," like this. It was mostly more projection, but I could make a case that you did imply that you are doing that (even if you're not aware you are). Merely by the fact that you know the pump might be bothering him, but are waiting for him to complain about it before doing anything about it. That's what I meant by relying on his kind nature. Still, I was only guessing that it might actually apply to your situation.
My [round-about] thought process: I have extensive yard lighting. I made a point to have direct conversations with all the surrounding neighbors that might get even a glimpse of my lighting to make sure it was not bothering them. I didn't have to do that. I was applying the golden rule. "Can you see my lights? Are any shining in your windows? Should I re-aim any of them?" I was trying to convey several things, some neighborly, some self-serving. I wanted them to think that I was a decent, respectful neighbor, who would go out of his way to make sure nothing I was doing in my yard was bothering them (golden rule). Whoopie for me. But I was also hoping to send the message that I would sure appreciate they treat me and my home with the same respect. Sort of an ad hoc boundary-setting/rule-making dealio. Is that the definition of passive-aggressive? I dunno.
Do I expect them to adhere to my made-up code? Expect? No. Wish? Yes. They know their dog barks. They hear me quieting him. Which means I think they should assume it bothers me some amount. They should also know, because of the yard lighting convo, that I am the kind of guy that feels people should not be unreasonably bothering their neighbors with what is going on in their own yard. And see? I'm still projecting, assuming others should put all this together like I would. Regardless, there's not much they can do about it now. They picked the wrong breed for our neighborhood lot size (a border collie), and now they are stuck with him. So (even more projecting), I imagine that they are relying/imposing on my good nature to solve this problem for them. They have to choose between bothering me, or disappointing their three kids. No contest, I lose (and I wouldn't want to disappoint their kids either). And I'm not going to blow up my relationship with them, or their kids, over the few times I have to deal with their dog. Do I actually think they've thought about any of this? Who knows. I could imagine your neighbor feeling something similar. Does he wish he couldn't hear your pump? Why wouldn't he? But he knows you have a pool, and they need pumps, so he's made up his mind to ignore it, and that's that.
So... it seems neither of us can say for sure if your pump is actually bothering your neighbor or not. I would still argue, given his line "I've been listening to that pump for 19 years, doesn't bother me a bit," that the first half of that sentence is more telling than the second. Technically, you only have to take that line at face value. You did your due diligence. More than most neighbors would.
But no matter, my previous final thought still stands: even if it's not bothering him, you'll be happier with a VS pump, it'll save you money, and you can pretend you got it just for him, and maybe get some points for that (See? Ultimately, I'm self-serving!). So even if he still thinks you should pay for his half of the fence, maybe he'll see the new pump as some just compensation. People can rationalize just about anything, right?
Anywho, thanks for hearing me out, whether it helped solve anything or not!
I'm flattered that you even bothered to read my post. I probably wrote it late at night, and I do go on. Like most of my musings, and as I have admitted here countless times, most of my thoughts are projection. How I would feel. What I would think. Or how I think others should think. All worth barely a grain of salt! But even if I was dead wrong, if I contributed in even the tinest way to bettering your relationship with your neighbor, I'd be pretty proud of that. And you showing him the post! Well that was unexpected!! I might have written it differently had I known he'd be in the audience!
I had a little trouble following along with who said what in the convo, but you certainly gave him every opportunity to express himself, and that's amazing. For whatever it's worth, I'd be happy to have you as a neighbor! You know, as long as you get rid of that d--m pump!
And if I read it right, and it's this same neighbor that has a dog that barks at you, I take it all back, all bets are off on the pump noise! Tit for tat. Heh, heh, heh.For the record, my pronouns are still the same ones I was born with: he and him, but I appreciate you giving them a thought. Ha, I thought one of our members was a woman, based on her avatar, and I referred to "her" as such for years. He finally sent me a PM and corrected me. Turns out the avatar was just a pic he liked, "she" wasn't him at all! He thought it funny, and didn't say anything for all that time. But then he changed his avatar to a hot rod car. Ah, the world in which we live. Whaddayagonnado?
And you must know, and I acknowledge, that I couldn't possibly have known with any certainty that what I was guessing at, or "guaranteeing" was 100% true. It was all conjecture, and only intended to give you something to think about.
It honestly sounds like you are trying to do what is right for your neighborhood. Even thinking about your pump volume, and being willing to discuss it here, and directly with your neighbor, puts you in the top 98% of good neighbors. Many wouldn't even be aware of it, and others would know it was loud and wouldn't care (the "tough noogies" crowd). So kudos. I have no doubt you'll address it as best you can, when you can.
I can explain the bit about "you should not rely on the kind nature of your neighbor for a solution (as you have been)," like this. It was mostly more projection, but I could make a case that you did imply that you are doing that (even if you're not aware you are). Merely by the fact that you know the pump might be bothering him, but are waiting for him to complain about it before doing anything about it. That's what I meant by relying on his kind nature. Still, I was only guessing that it might actually apply to your situation.
My [round-about] thought process: I have extensive yard lighting. I made a point to have direct conversations with all the surrounding neighbors that might get even a glimpse of my lighting to make sure it was not bothering them. I didn't have to do that. I was applying the golden rule. "Can you see my lights? Are any shining in your windows? Should I re-aim any of them?" I was trying to convey several things, some neighborly, some self-serving. I wanted them to think that I was a decent, respectful neighbor, who would go out of his way to make sure nothing I was doing in my yard was bothering them (golden rule). Whoopie for me. But I was also hoping to send the message that I would sure appreciate they treat me and my home with the same respect. Sort of an ad hoc boundary-setting/rule-making dealio. Is that the definition of passive-aggressive? I dunno.
Do I expect them to adhere to my made-up code? Expect? No. Wish? Yes. They know their dog barks. They hear me quieting him. Which means I think they should assume it bothers me some amount. They should also know, because of the yard lighting convo, that I am the kind of guy that feels people should not be unreasonably bothering their neighbors with what is going on in their own yard. And see? I'm still projecting, assuming others should put all this together like I would. Regardless, there's not much they can do about it now. They picked the wrong breed for our neighborhood lot size (a border collie), and now they are stuck with him. So (even more projecting), I imagine that they are relying/imposing on my good nature to solve this problem for them. They have to choose between bothering me, or disappointing their three kids. No contest, I lose (and I wouldn't want to disappoint their kids either). And I'm not going to blow up my relationship with them, or their kids, over the few times I have to deal with their dog. Do I actually think they've thought about any of this? Who knows. I could imagine your neighbor feeling something similar. Does he wish he couldn't hear your pump? Why wouldn't he? But he knows you have a pool, and they need pumps, so he's made up his mind to ignore it, and that's that.
So... it seems neither of us can say for sure if your pump is actually bothering your neighbor or not. I would still argue, given his line "I've been listening to that pump for 19 years, doesn't bother me a bit," that the first half of that sentence is more telling than the second. Technically, you only have to take that line at face value. You did your due diligence. More than most neighbors would.
But no matter, my previous final thought still stands: even if it's not bothering him, you'll be happier with a VS pump, it'll save you money, and you can pretend you got it just for him, and maybe get some points for that (See? Ultimately, I'm self-serving!). So even if he still thinks you should pay for his half of the fence, maybe he'll see the new pump as some just compensation. People can rationalize just about anything, right?
Anywho, thanks for hearing me out, whether it helped solve anything or not!
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Well said. Just to clear up fence question. The previous homeowner and said neighbor put in the fence together. They and their families were extremely close. I bought this house 3 years ago and have tried to maintain the same type of relationship (as well as with my other neighbors, so far so good). Agree, if 'sheet' hit the fan concerning the fence, going to the local DJ would be futile. Fortunately, I never see it getting to that point.
Yes, whole post was regarding the neighbor directly behind me. We are friends with our other neighbors but unless I had a 150 HP pump, they would never hear it. Homes are fairly spaced out minus the one directly behind me. We both have decent back yard properties, but I won't be peeing outside in my backyard anytime soon.
Apologies for the confusing sequence. It was late and I was just trying to get right to the point. Sounds like you were able to decipher nonetheless, your response relayed as much. Thanks for the feedback. I'll post pics of my new VSP on this thread next spring. Pool will be closed for the winter in 2 days so all this is moot until then!
Cheers Dirk
Yes, whole post was regarding the neighbor directly behind me. We are friends with our other neighbors but unless I had a 150 HP pump, they would never hear it. Homes are fairly spaced out minus the one directly behind me. We both have decent back yard properties, but I won't be peeing outside in my backyard anytime soon.
Apologies for the confusing sequence. It was late and I was just trying to get right to the point. Sounds like you were able to decipher nonetheless, your response relayed as much. Thanks for the feedback. I'll post pics of my new VSP on this thread next spring. Pool will be closed for the winter in 2 days so all this is moot until then!
Cheers Dirk