Bathroom sounds are sometimes loud, from the echo and the noise of the toilet flush to the sound of foot traffic and the shower drops – it is a headache. Fortunately, there are several ways to dampen the noise.
Here, we’ll provide a details guide on how to soundproof a bathroom and eliminate the noise from the flush and pipes.
Why is Soundproofing a Bathroom Important?
There are several reasons you need to soundproof a bathroom:
- It prevents noise from distracting the people at home.
- It stops any household sound from entering the bathroom.
- It reduces the echo in the room.
- It creates a gentle atmosphere for kids and seniors to use at night.
- It dampens all unwanted noise from the flush tank, water pipes, and shower.
How to Soundproof a Bathroom
There are many benefits of soundproofing a bathroom, and so are the tools to do it, but the process is the same. Here’s a detailed rundown of how to start capping the noise in the room with products to look out for:
Start with the Door
The entrance to the bathroom is a two-way street for noise to enter and leave, so it’s best to soundproof the door first.
Soundproofing is essential for modern bathroom doors. Most are made of fiberglass and aluminum, which are highly durable and hollow, so they aren’t good at blocking noise.
Here are vital steps to soundproof the bathroom door:
- Take a self-adhesive weather strip and run it down the edges of the door to seal in the gaps. This is the best way to reduce noise without disturbing the bathroom design.
- You could hang up a soundproof water-safe blanket at the back of the door for a more artistic approach. As a result, it will absorb all unwanted noise but may mess up the bathroom colorway.
- If the door has a small gap at the bottom, add a door sweep – a mat designed to block out noise.
- You could also tack a thick curtain on the bathroom door – it is pocket-friendly and a practical soundproofing item.
- If all else fails, invest in a solid door and ensure it’s made with sound-absorbing materials. The door will last a while and keep the noise out when maintained well.
Layer up the Walls
Once the bathroom door is soundproofed, it’s time to spruce up the walls inside. Because they are housing the entire plumbing system, the vibration from the pipes can emanate through – and even crack the paint after some time, which makes the bathroom noisy.
Fortunately, the solutions are easy. Here are the methods you can employ to soundproof the bathroom by layering up the walls:
- To keep the budget in check, you can glue on a few acoustic wall panels, which will help significantly block the noise. They are made in every color and design possible. As a result, you can give the bathroom a facelift while soundproofing.
- If the bathroom is already worn down, call a professional and renovate by adding a layer of drywall. This will break the sound waves and diffuse them.
- A step further from the drywall, you could install a resilient channel specifically for soundproofing, but it’s expensive. Consult a qualified maintenance specialist before adding a resilient channel in the bathroom.
Blanket the Flooring
Since foot traffic is inevitable in the bathroom, soundproofing the floors is mandatory. This ensures that the people outside aren’t bothered by the sounds of running water, closing cabinets, and crashing toilet seats.
Here’s a list of things you can do to dampen the sounds from bathroom floors:
- Add a fluffy doormat outside — this helps seal any gaps under the door. As a result, it dampens a small percentage of household noise from entering the bathroom and unwanted sounds from leaving the bathroom.
- You could also add a rug near the sink to reduce the sound of running water. But make sure it isn’t shaggy, as insects can crawl in and house in the threads.
- If your budget doesn’t allow a rug and a doormat, look for rubber mats for the bathroom. They are available in several designs, have an adhesive backing, cut down the noise effectively, and are pocket-friendly.
- Tiles are also a great noise-blocker — look for regular ones for the bathroom and change the space according to your aesthetics. You can also find self-adhesive tiles; they are easy to install on your own and durable without needing a refresh.
Besides the floors, doors, and walls, you could also stock up the sink countertop with household items to soundproof the bathroom.
Can a Bathroom Toilet be Soundproofed?
The toilet is one of the noisiest items in the bathroom, but it’s also the most important. The blunt bang from the seat when placing the lid down or the flush running can be disturbing, but it’s also inevitable. Here are easy ways to soundproof the toilet:
The Flush
The easiest way to soundproof a toilet is to cover the flush tank. Here’s what you need to do:
- First, gently pry off the lid of the flush tank.
- Then, clean the inside of the tank by flushing it.
- Once it’s clean, take a strong adhesive of choice and slowly spread it around the edges of the flush tank and its lid.
- Next, cap the cover on within the timeframe suggested by the adhesive.
- Wait a few hours to let the glue settle, and then flush the toilet.
You’ll notice a significant improvement in canceling out the toilet flush noise.
The Seat
Now that you’ve silenced the flush, it’s time to dampen the noise of the toilet seat crashing down. Here’s what you need to do:
- Silicone pads are the simplest way to absorb sound. Get a few silicone pads, ensure they are designed according to the toilet seat, and have an adhesive backing.
- Place a silicone pad on top of the toilet seat – this ensures less noise emanates when it hits the flush tank.
- Then, glue a silicone pad or two on the bottom of the toilet seat.
How to Soundproof Water Flow in a Bathroom?
Sometimes, the water pipes in a bathroom may be too noisy, and the sound of running water may become annoying – especially if it’s ensuite. This happens mainly when the pipes have detached from the wall from wearing out or poor plumbing.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to soundproof the vibration of running water in the pipes:
- Insulate the pipes using mass-loaded vinyl. It blocks out the noise, and you can fix this yourself.
- You could also ask a qualified plumber to expose the plumbing behind the wall and pad the pipes to cancel the noise.
- If you’re short on time but need a rapid solution, reduce the water pressure – this will dampen the sound of running water.
How to Soundproof a Bathroom on a Budget?
Soundproofing a bathroom doesn’t require a lot of investment. If your budget is tight or you want to start simple and work your way up to the process, these are some easy and cost-effective ways to spruce up the bathroom and reduce noise.
Create More Storage Units
Perfect for small bathrooms, a great way to clear up some space and eliminate unwanted noise is to use the door as a storage unit. Hang a laundry hamper or hook a tier of bins on the door and fill them with individual items. Once it’s fully stocked, the noise will soften.
For studio apartments, creating more storage units block bathroom noise and ensures privacy while flushing, showering, and washing hands.
Bring in Towels
Similar to the effect of storage bins, adding towels is a great way to reduce noise levels in the bathroom. Using items already in the house is the most pocket-friendly way of soundproofing a bathroom.
Lay a rug near the sink, stack folded towels on a shelf, and pin artwork on the wall. This will not only act as a noise-blocker but also create a relaxing atmosphere so you can enjoy getting ready for work.
Be sure not to over-stuff the shelves – a couple of towels and a basket of toiletries are enough to soundproof a small bathroom.
Clean up the Cracks
Especially prevalent in old bathrooms, cracks in sink countertops, floors, and walls can cause extra noise around the toilet.
Fortunately, the solution is simple and easy on the wallet. Get a sealant tube and run it along every crack and gap on the door, the windows, floor, and walls.
If you can, reach the ceiling and fill in the gaps there. The filling may be small, but it makes a significant difference. Not only will it dampen the noise, but it’ll also protect the bathroom from insect infestation.
Now that’s something you’d want to invest your time and money.
Decorate the Walls
Once you seal the gaps, you might want to cover up the uneven tones in the walls. Interestingly, there is a solution that’ll act as a durable noise-blocker and hide the sealant marks.
Look for acoustic wall panels and ensure they are waterproof and self-adhesive. Place them on the wall, preferably with a bit of distance, and enjoy a silent bathroom with an eye-catching design.
Although these may be an investment, mainly if the bathroom is large, the acoustic panels are durable, so you won’t have to burn the bucks for some time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you deaden a bathroom sound?
The easiest way to cut down on the echo in the bathroom is to get a thick shower curtain. It will not only blanket the noise of running water, but it’ll also act as an acoustic panel and deflect sound from the walls.
Also, you could add lightweight furniture like a laundry hamper and fill it with towels and clothes to absorb noise.
Why is my bathroom so echoey?
Bathrooms echo primarily because of the hard surfaces that line the room, from marble tiles on the floor to the sink, counter, and mirror. Each piece repels sound, which causes the sound waves to bounce back and forth until silence ensues.
Do wall tiles help soundproof?
Yes. Although tiles have a hard surface, regular ones are specially designed to dampen unwanted noise, so instead of repelling the sound waves, they diffuse the noise. Also, tiles act as acoustic wall panels.
What household items absorb sound?
You need a thick, fluffy surface to absorb sound quickly. Use quilts to dampen noise around the door, add cushions to create a relaxing atmosphere, hang artwork to act as acoustic panels, or lay a large rug to reduce the noise from the foot traffic.
Do towels absorb sound?
Yes. Towels are the simplest way to soundproof the bathroom, storage area, or laundry room. Add or hang a cloth organizer and stuff it with towels to reduce noise and create more storage space. You could also keep them out to decorate.
Summary
Bathrooms are also called restrooms for a reason. So how can you enjoy this space when there are disturbing sounds?
Now that you know how to soundproof a bathroom, you can peacefully enjoy using it. If you are stuck at any point, call a plumber or maintenance specialist for safety. Trust the process, move things around and stay on budget.