We\u2019ve whipped together this guide to help you understand what noise pollution is, how you can minimize the chances of buying a house in an area with excess noise pollution, and the steps you can take to mitigate the issue if you find yourself in a home with noise pollution.<\/p>\n Noise pollution is unwanted or harmful noise that has a negative impact on human or environmental health. Noise is measured in decibels (dB), and according to the Environmental Pollution Centers, \u201cexposure for more than 8 hours to constant noise beyond 85 dB may be hazardous<\/a>,\u201d and if you \u201cwork for 8 hours daily in close proximity to a busy road or highway, you are very likely exposed to traffic noise pollution around 85dB.\u201d<\/p>\n Anything that makes noise can cause noise pollution. Construction, transportation, and daily human activities all play a part in creating the noises that we encounter all day long. Here are some common sources of noise pollution that you may find in residential neighborhoods:<\/p>\n Below are the approximate sound levels in decibels of a few sources of noise pollution to give you a sense of their health risks:<\/p>\n When you\u2019re exposed to noise pollution repeatedly and over long periods of time, you could experience hearing loss, stress-related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, sleep disruption, and lost productivity. Noise-induced hearing loss can also occur when one is exposed to noise above 85 decibels for a prolonged period of time.<\/p>\n A 2014 report published by the National Institutes of Health revealed that tens of millions of Americans suffer from these health issues because of noise exposure<\/a>. \u201cNoise is an invisible pollutant that affects our breathing, brain waves and well-being, while silence replenishes and calms,\u201d says Poppy Szkiler, founder and managing director of Quiet Mark<\/a>, a UK-based global noise-reduction product testing and awards program.<\/p>\n If you are in the market for a new home and feel that noise pollution might be an issue, you can start by checking the Department of National Transportation\u2019s noise map<\/a>. This handy tool shows you the road and aviation noise levels all over the United States.<\/p>\n You can also search the address of the properties you are considering on Google Maps<\/a> to discern how far the home is from potential noise pollution creators, such as :<\/p>\n When you head out to look at the houses on your list, consider timing; a street might be quiet five nights of the week then turn into a block party for two nights. Look at nearby businesses and amenities or facilities, such as schools, factories, and music venues, to try to figure out when peak \u201cnoisy\u201d times may be and how loud it might get. Make sure to visit the house again during those hours.<\/p>\n Another great option is to ask neighbors if they ever experience any noise issues, and if so, what those issues are and at what time of day they typically happen. The best way to learn about the neighborhood and its pros and cons is by asking those who currently live there.<\/p>\n If you believe your dream home is in an area affected by noise pollution, there are a few things you can do.<\/p>\n First, measure the decibel levels at the residence. There are a plethora of decibel meters<\/a> that you can purchase to get the job done, that start at a price point of around $15. Another option is to track sound with an app. Download a smartphone app<\/a> to read the decibel levels of sounds so you\u2019ll have an idea of what you\u2019re being exposed to.<\/p>\n Make sure to take measurements several times during the day to figure out when the noise is loudest, so you have a starting point. Attempt to take the average of the day and nighttime noise, then plug those numbers into this Noise Calculator<\/a> to get an accurate picture of the problem.<\/p>\n Next, try to discover where the sound is coming from so that you can begin to take steps to insulate yourself from it. Is the issue temporary, such as the construction of a new home, or permanent, such as proximity to an industrial complex?<\/p>\n Once you have figured out where the issue is coming from, if you think it\u2019ll be helpful, attempt to talk with those causing the disturbance. Find out if the neighborhood has a neighborhood association, as that will be your next line of defense.<\/p>\n If you feel that the noise issues are not temporary issues but the permanent state of the environment, it\u2019s time to try to mitigate the situation.<\/p>\n Epifanio says that buying a home is all about \u201clocation, condition and price. In the case of noise pollution, the location is adverse, so the price may need to be adjusted.\u201d<\/p>\n With the help of a skilled and experienced buyer\u2019s agent<\/a> you can attempt to negotiate with the home\u2019s seller to make certain improvements to the property prior to purchase or explore the idea of monetary compensation for you to make those improvements after purchase. You have a few options here:<\/p>\n If you have tried all of these options and are still experiencing a problem, the next step is to reach out to those agencies that are responsible for monitoring and controlling associated noise.<\/p>\n Now that you know what noise pollution is, the effect it can have on your quality of life, and some options to mitigate it, you are well on your way to making your new dream home even more dreamy.<\/p>\n Header Image Source: (Brandon DesJarlais \/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Buying a new house? Have concerns about noise pollution? Here\u2019s a guide to help you understand what noise pollution is, how you can identify it, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":161,"featured_media":14432,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[643,638],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-tour","category-house-hunting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/noise-pollution-train-666x381.png\")
<\/a>What is noise pollution?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What causes noise pollution?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Why is noise pollution a problem?<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/noise-pollution-map-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Yikes! How do I know if a house I want to buy might have a noise pollution problem?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/noise-pollution-water-666x381.png\")
<\/a>I\u2019m pretty sure this is noise pollution. What can I do?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Secure the outside of your home\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Secure the inside of the home<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Report the noise<\/b><\/h3>\n
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