Neighbor’s lawnmower, air conditioner, or pool pump too loud?

Outdoor equipment can be quite noisy. When used too often, or outside of appropriate times, they cause distress and discomfort for others. In some situations, legal action falls into a gray area where the sound may not be loud enough to hold up in a court case. For example:

• Broken, noisy air conditioning units
• Prolonged noise from generators
• Pool pump too loud or running too long
• Excessive noise from lawn mower

While annoying, all of these would need to meet some thresholds to be considered a nuisance and thus qualify for legal action:

1. The noise level exceeds your local ordinance, as measured from the edge of your property
2. The noise continues for an extended period of time
3. The noise recurs frequently

My Neighbor’s Pool Pump is Too Loud

Pool pumps are normally quite loud – as loud as 85 dB. That’s as loud as a blender. When a pump is in disrepair, it can be even louder. If your neighbor’s pool is close to your property, this likely violates your local sound ordinance laws. In Houston, the decibel limit for daytime hours on a residential property is 65 dB.

If it’s your own pump – or if your neighbor is willing to cooperate with you to reduce the noise – buying a pump cover can make it more manageable depending on the proximity to your house or property.

How Many Decibels is a Lawn Mower?

Depending on the type of lawn mower, you can expect it to run between 75 and 100 dB. Gas-powered mowers are louder, and are the most common type. This is the reason protective gear is suggested when mowing your lawn, and why professionals wear noise-canceling earmuffs. Just two hours a day of sustained 85 dB noise can cause damage to your hearing.

Air Conditioner Noise Too Loud

Modern window unit air conditioners are fairly quiet out of the box. If your neighbor has a brand new one, it’s likely no louder than 45 dB. Large outdoor units for central air conditioning are much louder, often up to 80 dB. Especially in apartment buildings, these units may be situated quite close to your living space, letting in lots of noise through the windows even late at night. Of course, some units may run louder than others depending on their state of repair.

Can I Submit a Noise Complaint Against My Neighbor?

If the noise is coming from your neighbor, you may be able to get some relief by submitting a formal complaint. First be sure to talk to your neighbor directly to give them a chance to resolve the issue without involving the law. After that, the easiest way to file a complaint is to call 311 or your local police department’s non-emergency line. Some cities, like Dallas, have other options – including a mobile app and a website.

Block Outside Noise Yourself

Filing a noise complaint may not be an option. You may find yourself in one of these situations:

• The sound is legally allowed but still annoying
• You are particularly sensitive to the sound
• Your noise complaints haven’t changed anything
• You live outside city limits and thus have no sound ordinance
• You don’t want to file a complaint
• The sound is from your own equipment

Your best option is to block out the noise yourself. Preventing noise from coming into your home can be as simple as soundproofing the windows closest to the noise. Typical windows are more concerned with energy efficiency, and are not very good at keeping noise out.

We produce and install a product to fix this problem without replacing windows or messy construction of any kind: soundproof window inserts. These inserts install on the interior of your home and are barely noticeable. They are renter and HOA-friendly, and can stop as much as 95% of the noise from outside.

Our inserts aren’t just for blocking AC noise and lawn mower sound. Installing a soundproof window insert means more peace from all sound. Loud music, barking dogs, traffic – anything. Take a look at our FAQ page here, or get started by submitting a free estimate request. It only takes a few minutes – and could greatly improve your quality of life.