Residents of multi-storey buildings know firsthand what noise is in a sewer pipe. Even owners of thick-walled cast-iron systems hear perfectly when neighbors from the upper floors flush water. We don’t even have to talk about the owners of plastic pipes, since we all know that a thin pipe does not constrain sound at all.
Constant blows and descent of water can irritate even the most restrained person, because unpleasant sounds are heard both during the meal, and during sleep. There is a way out of this situation - noise isolation of the sewer riser. Let's talk about what methods can eliminate extraneous sounds and how to do the work with your own hands.
What types of noise can be observed in high-rise buildings?
Various sounds can come from an open sewer pipe. To eliminate them, you will need to install soundproofing sewer riser. Types of noise are as follows:
The first view is the most unpleasant and loud. Only the most reliable insulation can handle it. It arises from a sharp contact of the liquid with the walls of the pipe. It is formed when water does not completely fill the space of the riser, but flows down in an intermittent flow, hitting the walls of the system. Completely eliminating such noise is very difficult.
The second variety (air type) is not so loud. Such sounds arise due to the presence in the pipe of a layer of air that ventilates the riser. Compared to impact noise, these sounds are less uncomfortable.
Structural noise occurs as a result of the oscillation of all elements of the sewer system that come into contact with the riser.
Which pipes make less noise?
Many apartment owners are interested in the question of whether it is possible to increase the sound insulation of the sewer riser by replacing the pipe. Today there are three types of systems:
- from cast iron;
- from plastic;
- from multilayer polypropylene pipes.
The first option is characterized by a high degree of absorption of sounds, but the duration of its operation is quite small. For this reason, such systems have been replaced by plastic counterparts.
Polypropylene options are characterized by high technical characteristics, but they require additional installation of sound insulation on the sewer riser.
Multilayer pipes are a novelty of the domestic market. They are made of high strength plastic with the addition of mineral fibers. Practice shows that this variety significantly reduces the noise range, but does not completely eliminate it. Such a pipe is worth much more than the above analogues. And the price tag for the installation of such systems can not be called low.
From the foregoing, we conclude that it is impossible to completely eliminate noise by replacing the pipe. Even the most expensive variety will not provide you with absolute silence from the side of the riser.
Where to start noise reduction work?
If you decide to install the soundproofing of the sewer riser with your own hands, first of all pay attention to the fasteners. Building standards indicate that the fixation of the riser should be carried out every 1.5 meters. In practice, this requirement is often ignored, which causes the pipe to vibrate and cause additional noise.
Install a pair of clamps with rubber gaskets on the pipe. At the same time, do not use homemade devices, preference should be given only to standard devices. This method will not save you from extraneous sounds, but the vibration of the pipes will significantly reduce.
Pay attention to the method of sealing holes in the floor
If the house is planned major work on the replacement of risers, pay attention to the method of fixing the pipe in the interfloor plate. According to the rules in such places, the polypropylene pipeline must pass through a polymer sleeve, the diameter of which is 5-10 mm greater than the width of the pipe itself. It provides the necessary sound insulation of the sewer riser.
The space between the sleeve and the ceiling plate is filled with fireproof material, which does not interfere with the vertical movement of the pipe. The best option for this purpose is stone wool. With this method of fixing the pipe, vibrations are not transmitted to the walls of the room, thereby reducing noise.
Ready-made pipe shells
One of the most popular materials for noise isolation of a sewer riser are pipe shells made of foamed polyethylene.
They are very convenient to mount with your own hands, since the flexible shell has a longitudinal section, which makes it easy to install insulation on the pipe. During installation, the product opens to its maximum size and is pulled onto the riser. The seam passage is glued with a reinforced type construction adhesive tape. Foamed polyethylene prevents the penetration of sound into the room, prevents the formation of condensation, the appearance of mold and fungi.
Roll Type Materials
You can arrange sound insulation of the sewer riser with your own hands using roll materials. Their main advantage is that the product is very easily wrapped around the pipe and cut to the required size.
There are several varieties of such products on construction markets. All of them are characterized by a multilayer structure, which allows them to more reliably protect the apartment from unpleasant sounds.
Foil varieties are considered quite popular today. They allow you to solve not only the problem of sound, but also thermal insulation. Such materials are easily mounted under the ceiling, at the junctions of the main pipe with adjacent communications.
Products from expanded polystyrene
Another accessible method of pipe insulation is the installation of products made of expanded polystyrene (in the construction markets they are called "Shell"). The product consists of two dense semicircles made according to the standard diameter of the sewer pipe. Special grooves are made along the edges of the halves, allowing the two elements to be connected as firmly as possible.
Installation of such a variety is only to install products of the desired length from the front and back of the pipe. The difficulty of using such insulation arises in cases where the riser is installed close to the wall of the room. In such cases, other methods should be chosen.
Application of car noise isolation
Another quick and effective material for arranging noise isolation of a sewer riser is car noise insulation. In order to get rid of extraneous sounds, it is enough to visit any car shop and purchase the Vibroplast material.
For this purpose, you can use sheets with a thickness of 3 mm. Thicker varieties exist. The effect of their use will be much higher. Acquired material should be glued over the entire riser and adjacent pipes. For best results, overlap is recommended.
Preparatory stage
The soundproofing features of a sewer riser depend on the type of material you choose. In general, the work is quite simple, but requires some preparation. First you need to free the pipe from all interfering elements. The riser must be cleaned of cobwebs, dust, various contaminants and wipe the condensate. If an adhesive material, such as automobile insulation, is to be used during the work, the surface must be degreased. In those cases where there are areas with lagging paint on the surface of the pipe, they should be cleaned or removed with a solvent.
Technology of installation of insulating material
Before starting the installation of noise insulation for a sewer riser, carefully measure the circumference and length of the pipe. Based on these parameters, cut a piece of the required material. Work as follows:
- If you use a roll insulator, take a piece of the appropriate size and wrap the pipe, making a small overlap at the junction of the material. When using foil varieties, place the shiny part on the outside. Fix using a tape or special plastic pipe clamps. Make sure that the material is as tight as possible to the base.
- It is recommended to pull the foam insulator onto the pipe before installing it. However, if the riser is already mounted, the material should be cut and simply pulled onto the pipe. At the same time, it is recommended to seal the seam with construction tape.
- During the installation of products from expanded polystyrene foam in the area of the protrusions and the connection of adjacent pipes, the insulation must be cut. So that no sounds penetrate the seams, their space must be filled with polyurethane foam. The joining points of the material with the ceiling and floor are treated in the same way.
When using an automotive type of insulation, make sure that the material fits snugly against the pipe so that no air gaps form. Pasting occurs with an overlap, even the smallest and most inaccessible pipe sections are glued. For reliability, you can additionally use insulation tape or any other cheap material. Here the quality is not so important, since the main function is performed by automobile vibration isolation.
Soundproofing pipes in the duct
In most modern apartments, water and sewer risers are sutured with drywall boxes during the repair process. For this reason, the question of how to make soundproofing the sewer riser in the duct is very relevant. For such purposes, an insulator in the form of mineral wool, foamed polyurethane foam or glass fiber material is widely used. To achieve maximum results, not only the pipe should be filled, but the entire box space should be filled with the selected material.
Pay attention to the fact that the frame of the assembled cabinet is strong enough and does not vibrate with a slight mechanical impact. Otherwise, the work performed will not yield a result.
Do not forget that noise may come from the revision hatch. To prevent this from happening, install rubber seals around the door . Then it will be possible to consider that the soundproofing of the sewer riser in the bathroom is made with the highest quality.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
In practice, sound insulation is not always effective. This is due to certain errors that the owners make in the process of performing work. To prevent this from happening with you, pay attention to the following points:
- Use only the right materials. The desire to minimize costs often forces craftsmen to purchase polystyrene foam or use one mounting foam. The result of such actions is the complete absence of the desired effect.
- Do not allow air to form under the insulation. Carefully glue all the joints and seams, well press the insulation to the pipe.
- Begin installing insulation with rubber fasteners. Otherwise, vibration will be transmitted to the walls, and even the most expensive material will not protect you from the sound of flowing water.
That's all the features of installing soundproofing on a sewer riser. The reasons for the appearance of sounds after the work done should be sought in the technology itself. If you approach the installation of insulation with great care, an excellent result and silence in the bathroom are guaranteed!