Florida condo floor underlayment/wood floor?

LisaB10 (Florida)
Posts: 3

Posted:

Hi, I found this site in my search for info re:installing wood floors. I purchased my condo 9/07. There was a requirement to use rubber underlayment with a specific product around the edges etc when putting in wood or tile flooring. Since then there have been noise complaints in various bldgs so there was a freeze placed on changing flooring until a better sound proofing product could be found. According to an email I recieved from the board president the freeze which has been in place several months is still in place because all of the products they have tested "failed". They do not specify a sound rating they require,how the products were tested and what is ment by "failed". It is very vague. These condos were built in 2005 and many have wood or tile floors. Those units will resell faster and at higher rates.Most buyers do not want carpet. My daughter and I both have asthma and should not have carpet. I told the board in an email that no product will sound proof this building. There will be an expected amount of sound travel in a multi level dwelling. I also had the forsight to look at 2 units one on top of the other when I was considering which unit to buy. I had the realtor go into the unit above while I stayed below. I asked her to walk around and make some noise. I decided to extent myself the 75,000 extra for a penthouse because I am sensitive to sounds.This was a HUGE investment for me. I asked the board to make a reasonable and prudent effort to find a suitable product and have not gotten a response. To my knowledge they have stopped looking and even asked me to make suggestions. I have emailed them some ideas with no response. I really don't have enough info to even make suggestions as I do not know the specs for noise level or on what and how they have made prior tests. Please post as to how I should procede. Half of the condo is tile put in by the builder. We are very quiet and do not walk on the floors that are tiled with shoes that make excessive noise. I have never delt with a HOA and don't know the protocol or my rights. Does anyone know if there is an industry standard for noise control or is it up the the individual baord to decide? Is there a product they might find acceptable? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks,Lisa

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

Do a Google search for "floor soundproofing." You will find many products intended for this. Once you find a product perhaps you can convince the board to allow you to use it as a test. The problem is that for the test to be valid, the integrity of the system must be in place.

LisaB10 (Florida)
Posts: 3

Posted:

Hi, That is exactly what I said to the board. How they test a product that is not installed? They put it on a table and tap on it. When they showed me the technique I really thought it was a joke but they were serious. All products will fail at that rate.

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

I would be inclined to start working with neighbors to totally unseat the board. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I would accuse them of malice, but then again perhaps stupidity is a better explanation. At any rate, they need to go.

In short, their method would test how much the sound is deadened in the unit that the wood is installed. I would start educating my neighbors and get them agitated over the BOD stupidity.

JamesonM (California)
Posts: 2

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KirkW1 on 06/12/2008 2:46 PM
Do a Google search for "floor soundproofing." You will find many products intended for this. Once you find a product perhaps you can convince the board to allow you to use it as a test. The problem is that for the test to be valid, the integrity of the system must be in place.

amen with this. that simply rest the case

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