How To Soundproof a Bathroom in 6 Simple Steps
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There are a couple of reasons why you would want to soundproof the bathroom.
For one, the flushing and showering can be really distracting to your guests especially if you have the bathroom right next to the living room or dining area.
To deal with the problem, you can look for ways of how to shower quietly. However, bathroom soundproofing is the only ideal solution.
Unfortunately, modern construction does not really take care of the issue of soundproofing.
You can, however, come up with a couple of ways to ensure that the sound in your bathroom does not come out.
Of course, the soundproofing tips can range from really cheap ones to some that are a bit more expensive.
Ultimately, you will have to decide on what works best for you.
Here are a couple of things that you can do to soundproof your bathroom.
How to Soundproof a Bathroom
What You'll Be Needing:
1. Soundproof the Bathroom Door
As I mentioned earlier, modern construction does not take care of the issue of soundproofing.
This is especially the case when it comes to the doors.
Most doors used in interior construction nowadays are usually hollow on the inside.
Because of this, they are very poor at absorbing noises.
When thinking of soundproofing your bathroom, the door should be one of the first things to consider.
Soundproofing the bathroom door, just like any other place, can either be cheap or expensive.
The cheapest way would be to get some self-adhesive weather stripping.
This should be installed all around the door frame and works great in absorbing sounds and to reduce bathroom noise.
This will mean that the gaps formed whenever the door is closed are sealed.
The expensive way would have you change the door entirely. You may decide to get a more solid door and have it installed.
However, it is important to have the right professionals to do this as you do not want to cause damage to your home.
When it comes to the bathroom door, there are other options. You can, for example, decide to get a soundproof blanket.
Soundproof blankets are basically made of sound absorbing materials. They are usually hanged at the back of the door and secured in place using tacks.
Should you decide to get a soundproof blanket, bear in mind that they are not aesthetically pleasing.
They may, therefore, interfere with your bathroom’s interior design.
For this reason, it is best to get a soundproof blanket of a neutral color and ensure it is well installed. If you have been wondering how to reduce echo in a bathroom, the soundproof blanket can help with this as well.
You might also like: Soundproof Blankets Buying Guide
Another option would be to get a door sweep.
This is usually a mat made of sound absorbing materials and is placed at the bottom of the door. This helps to seal the gap at the bottom once the door is closed.
For the best results, you may want to combine a couple of these methods.
For example, you could use both the door sweep and the soundproof blanket.
This way, the sound will not leave the bathroom through the hollow door or through the gap at the bottom.
2. Soundproof the Bathroom Walls
When it comes to letting the sound out, the bathroom walls are one of the biggest culprits.
So, it is important that you soundproof the bathroom walls as well.
For the walls, you can install drywall. Drywalling will definitely require some professional assistance.
Drywalls are quite easy to find as they are available in the local stores.
How do drywalls help with soundproofing?
Well, the idea is to add an extra layer to the wall. The extra layer helps in absorbing sound from the bathroom before it gets out.
For better efficiency, you can try installing double drywall.
You may also want to install a resilient channel. A resilient channel can be used alongside a drywall and help in blocking impact noise.
They are quite tough and because of how effective they are, the resilient channels are quite an expensive option.
An alternate method of soundproofing the bathroom walls is to get acoustic panels.
These are available in a variety of colors, designs, and shapes so you can get to play around with different patterns to come up with a decorative one.
You might like: Acoustic Panels Buying Guide
3. Soundproof the Bathroom Floors
Working on the floors is much easier than you would think.
All you have to do is get some thick fluffy rugs that work great in absorbing sound.
Of course, carpeting the bathroom floor does not make much sense.
This is why rubber mats are probably your best option. Not only are they affordable, but they are also effective.
They are also easy to install and will save you tons of time.
When it comes to rugs and mats, you are really spoilt for choice. The best part is that you could get mats that match your interior design.
This way, you get to soundproof your bathroom floor while adding to the aesthetic appeal at the same time.
If you have kids in the house and are worried about the mats staying in place, then you can get sticky mats.
These stick to the bathroom floor and remain in place. Alternatively, you can get mats that come with self-adhesive.
4. Soundproof the Toilet Flush
Flushing the toilet is one of the loudest and most distracting sounds that come from the bathroom.
However, it is possible to soundproof the toilet flush. In case you were wondering, here’s how to make the toilet flush quieter.
For this, you are only going to need some adhesive. Open the flush tank and ensure that the inside is clean.
Then place the adhesive around the edges of the tank and the lid and then close the lid.
The adhesive will help to reduce the noise when flushing and when the tank is refilling after flushing.
You might also like: Quietest Toilet Fill Valve: Reviews and Buying Guide
5. Soundproof the Toilet Seat
If you are going to reduce bathroom noise completely, then you cannot ignore the toilet seat.
The noise that is made when the seat comes crashing is one of the most annoying sounds from the bathroom. If you have people over, hearing the noise repeatedly can take a toll on your nerves.
Sure, the easiest solution would be to get everyone to be mindful whenever they are putting down the toilet seat.
But, in most cases, this will only work for a few days before you are back to the old routine.
So, are there tips on how to make the toilet quieter?
The answer you are looking for is self-adhesive silicone pads.
You’ll need to have one on the toilet set where the cover touches the tank when it is raised.
A second pad should be placed on the bottom of the toilet seat cover. Be sure to have several other pads between the toilet and the seat.
6. Use Sound Dampening Material to Wrap Noisy Pipes
If the pipes in your bathroom are not securely fastened to the wall, then the water flow may be causing the pipes to vibrate and make some noise in the process.
A temporary solution would be to reduce the water pressure. You can achieve this by getting a low flow showerhead and tap.
A better solution for quiet pipes, however, would be to get some insulation for the pipes. Mass loaded vinyl is a great material for sound blocking.
Wrapping the pipes in soundproofing material will require some professional help.
This is because you will have to tear down the drywall so that you can expose the plumbing and wrap it up effectively.
Extra Soundproofing Tips
Soundproofing your bathroom can involve even the smallest steps.
You do not have to go all the way with the above tips, especially if you are working on a budget.
If you do not want to spend so much money on soundproofing your bathroom, there are a couple of things that you can do.
These do not even require much.
Bring in materials that are sound absorbent
The easiest way to do this would be to try and rearrange the items in your bathroom.
You can try using some thick fluffy towels and place them on the shelves near the walls. The towels will help in absorbing sound before it gets out of the bathroom.
Hang a door storage unit on the inside of the bathroom door
The more things there are in your bathroom, the less sound will get out.
If you do not want to spend money on soundproofing the door, a storage unit on the door can help a great deal.
Install a storage unit on the inside and stock it up with shampoos, soaps, and other essentials.
Or you can fill up this hanging laundry hamper with clothes, to not only reduce air-borne noises but also save some space in your bathroom.
This, although not that effective, will help a bit in blocking sound from getting out of the bathroom.
Seal gaps and cracks
Even the smallest gaps and cracks will let the sound out from your bathroom.
It is, therefore, important that you seal all the gaps and cracks.
Scan your bathroom for gaps and cracks on the ceiling, floor, walls, and door.
You can use a sealant to close them up. It may seem like something so small but you will be sure to notice the difference once you are done.
Quiet rattling pipes
If the pipes in your bathroom are rattling then you may want to quiet them a bit.
You can do this by tightening the mounting straps. You can also cover them up in foam pipe wrap so as to dampen the noise even further.
On Soundproofing Toilet Room
Soundproofing the toilet doesn’t have to be an expensive project.
Even the smallest thing such as sealing gaps can go a really long way.
If the noise from the bathroom is a bother, try some of the tips above and notice the difference.
You might also like: How to Make an Electric Toothbrush Quiet
How to Soundproof a Bathroom
Poop! Nobody wants to hear when you do your business in the toilet. Here is a simple guide on how to soundproof a bathroom.
Instructions
- Soundproof the Bathroom Door
- Soundproof the Bathroom Walls
- Soundproof the Bathroom Floors
- Soundproof the Toilet Flush
- Soundproof the Toilet Seat
- Use Sound Dampening Material to Wrap Noisy Pipes