Advice on Issue in Strata Building - Noise Transmission from Floorboards

[TrebleCleff88]

Hi all

Seeking peoples' advice and opinion.

A new owner moved in upstairs and replaced the floors from carpet to floorboards. I believe they installed AngelStep4 insulation as part of the flooring update.

I now hear their every single step as a sound and vibration! The previous owner had carpets in the same apartment I never used to hear a peep.

The building I believe is an early 70s solid concrete building.

The new owner did seek approval from strata who claims that AngelStep 4 is compliant.

Seeking advice what I can say to owner and strata regarding this issue - interested in those experienced with floorboards and sound issues so I can help advise on what to do to rectify this issue!!! Particularly seeking feedback on people that have used the AngelStep4 product and found it deficient.

I understand an acoustic test may give some objective insight into the issue!

Thanks in advance to all.

Terence (Treble)

[rwbuild]

You will need to have and acoustic test done and probably need the strata manager to liaise with the unit owners where the problem is

https://www.abcb.gov.au (https://www.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2021/Handbook_Sound_Transmission_and_Insulation_in_Buildings.pdf) › sites › default › files › resources › 2021 › Handbook_Sound_Transmission_a

[ForeverYoung]

what type of structure is the actual floor? concrete slab? timber?
I mean, was the original carpet over a timber floor and they replaced just the carpet?
or was it on a concrete slab? (hard to think that would give you a noise problem)

why i ask is that here in WA you aren't allowed bare timber floors above. (well, that was the strata laws last time I looked).

[havabeer69]

probably not tons they can do in terms of "fixing it"

can always add another layer of the thicker plasterboard over your existing ceiling stuff to help muffle out the noise.

[ian]

can always add another layer of the thicker plasterboard over your existing ceiling stuff to help muffle out the noise.
Terence would need his strata board's (Strata Owners' Corporation) approval to do anything more than repaint the ceiling of his unit.

Terence should also ask to see the Owners' Corporation's written approval to the change in flooring.
At the end of the day, the problem -- with carpet on the floor I couldn't hear any footsteps, now with the timber floors I can hear every step -- is one for the Owners' corporation to fix.

Based on what Terence tells us either the sound proofing product (Anglestep4) is defective or is unsuitable in his instance.
Either way, the owner's above him should have indemnified the Owners' Corporation for the new flooring.