When You're The Noisy Neighbor

Thanks to home offices, computer/game rooms and improved entertainment centers, Americans are spending more and more time enveloped in home activities. While having access to all that we need under our own roof is convenient, it can also be noisy. If you live in an apartment or condominium community, you share most of your walls with neighbors. Because of this, you should be extra careful about the amount of noise you make. If neighbors have made complaints about the noise coming from your apartment, there are certain things you can do to avoid that eviction notice. Place vibration mounts under major appliances: You can find these at your local hardware or appliance store. This will absorb some of the sound normally caused by the vibrations of your washing machine/refrigerator/washer/dryer etc. Place foam pads under small appliances: These work in the same way that the vibration mounts do - just on a smaller level. Use window drapes: fabric absorbs sound, so the more of it you use, the less noisy your home will be. Most leases have a clause stating that the floors must have 90% carpet coverage for this reason. Seal holes or cracks in doors and windows: For doors, you can purchase regular weather stripping from a hardware store. You can use this stripping indoors as well as on doors leading outside. This is a great solution to a noisy laundry room or bathroom. To seal windows, you can use inexpensive clear caulking. Replace metal garbage cans with plastic cans: This is pretty obvious. The smaller the area, the more concentrated the noise becomes. If you have metal or aluminum garbage cans banging around, the sound will be much more intense than a plastic container. Purchase quiet appliances: Some home appliances will claim to be quiet or low sound appliances right on the box. If you