Soundproof Bathroom: Just a month ago, my girlfriend’s besties came over to our house during the weekend for a house party.
I was freakingly shocked- when my girlfriend approached me and said she couldn’t answer the call of nature because she was afraid her friends would hear how our toilets sound. So I asked her-
What do you want me to do babe?
She said- soundproof the bathroom and the toilet
I was shocked; I mean how could something like how the toilet sounds freak her out?
Have you ever been into this mess?
Upon further investigation- watched video tutorials on YouTube in order to solve our bathroom sound problem, I came to discover that bathroom noise can also be a problem especially if the bathroom is located next to the living room or the Tv room.
I’m glad to say that I found several DIY bathroom soundproofing methods that anyone facing this problem can implement (even if you’re not handy).
After reading this article, you’ll know what’s exactly needed, how to do it.
Method 1: Soundproof Bathroom Door
In most cases, 90%, it’s the bathroom door which is the cause of all your noise problems so you need to soundproof the door.
Most of the interior door you’ll find in most houses today are hollow on the inside, or made of cardboard pieces which make them poor in sound isolation.
These doors often have large gaps and as we all know sound travels through air and structures and so this gaps makes it easy for sound to travel from the toilet to the TV room or living room.
So how can you make the toilet door soundproof? Below are some of the DIY methods I found helpful.
If you have a sliding door, here is a detailed guide on soundproofing sliding doors yourself.
Use a sound dampening door seal
I bought some Soundproof Weather Stripping Door Kit on Amazon (Click here to see it for yourself).
It was delivered the next day so I got to fix my bathroom door ASAP otherwise my gf would have killed me.
Unlike other weatherstrips I’ve used before, it’s high quality and available at a friendlier price.
Now that you’ve purchased the seal waiting for it to arrive tomorrow-let me give the step you’ll need to undertake to get the job done right.
Steps:
- Accurately take the measurements (both height and width) of the bathroom door.
- Cut the weather-stripping to size using a handsaw.
- Now place the soundproof weatherstrips to cover the gaps in your bathroom door
- You can cover the gaps either from the inside or from the outside the bathroom door but I would recommend the inside. Sealing from the outside would make it look ugly- my opinion though.
This method will dramatically reduce noises coming from your bathroom or toilet and it’s most inexpensive method in my list of the DIY techniques.
But if you don’t like it, there are other more expensive options you can use. Let look at them below.
Try a Sound dampening blanket
I borrowed this idea from one of my old college friends- and tried it- but I swear this one almost got me “killed too”.
Reason?
Sound isolation blankets are not the most attractive method to sound dampen your toilet door.
I swear it’ll make your small nature office look ugly but you can try it if you’ve got no other options left to try out.
I ordered Audimute Sound Damping Blanket from amazon (Check it out and see if it’s appealing or not). Installing it is simpler than the above method.
You’ll only need to cover the door with it and you’re good to go.
Acoustic blankets are quite perfect for soundproofing a dog crate.
Method2: Make the Door Thicker
If you’ve tried the above methods and are not pleased with the results or you want to try out other methods, I would recommend thickening the bathroom door.
How does the bathroom door sound and feel when you knock?
Does it sound hollow or solid?
If it’s hollow, there goes your sound problem.
Hollow bathroom doors are thin, affordable but have poor sound isolation properties.
In worse scenarios- hollow doors can even amplify the sound- sending echoes into other rooms in your house.
In other words, these hollow doors can compared to giant speakers keeping everyone in the house updated about your toilet activities. No wonder it was a concern for my girlfriend.
There are two different ways you can solve this problem. The cheap method is using soundproofing blanket (mentioned above).
They are made of dense material design to isolate sound. If this method can work for you, I would recommend you purchase a soundproofing blanket with grommets to make it easier to attach on the bathroom door.
You will need a hammer and some nails to get the job done. Alternatively, you can install some hooks so you’ll just hang the blanket at will.
The pricier method is to knock down the old door and have a new one installed.
You might need a handyman to replace the door- but make sure the new door is made of hardwood and it’s not hollow.
If you live in an apartment or a rented space, you’ll need to talk with the landlord or property manager and see if they can replace the door.
Some will agree to have the door replaced but others won’t- if they don’t you can resolve to the above soundproofing methods.
Other methods you can soundproof a bathroom or toilet door include tacking a layer of rigid insulators on the top of the door or alternatively hide it behind fiberglass panels.
Method3: Soundproof the Bathroom Walls
If you have implemented the tricks above or combined two or more, then by now your bathroom soundproofing problem should be sorted.
However, in most cases the problem doesn’t come from the bathroom door. Your bathroom walls might have some cracks which could be the origin of your problem.
So what can you do?
Below are some of different techniques you can implement in your home to sound dampening the walls.
Seal Cracks
Whether we like it or not, every wall eventually develops cracks.
Like humans- we age and develop wrinkles, cracks in walls are signs of aging.
Bathroom walls are prone to developing cracks fasters because they are regularly exposed to water.
So what can you do when you find these cracks?
If the cracks on the walls are small, you can simply fill the cracks using a joint compound. See different joint compounds on Amazon here.
You could also try Green Glue Sealant which soundproofs against impact noise.
If green glue isn’t available in your country, then I would suggest you try these green glue alternatives.
Once you’ve applied the joint compound, leave it to dry and apply another layer the next day if possible.
You can paint the repaired cracks to retain its original shape or fix a soundproof wallpaper to hide the repair.
Add a layer of drywall
One of the best method you can soundproof your bathroom wall is by adding another layer of drywall using a sound damping compound (a good example is green glue) (there are some awesome green glue alternatives here) and placing a sound isolating material Mass Loaded Vinyl in between.
However, it’s important to note that this combination requires time and some technical knowledge and it’s also not the cheapest method.
But compared to the other methods above, it’s one of the best in terms of noise reduction.
The thicker and denser the new wall layer is, the more efficient it will be in isolating sound.
Additionally, make sure that the added layer of drywall is waterproof to prevent the wall from absorbing moisture which could shorten its lifespan.
Cheap Wall Soundproofing Alternatives
If you don’t want to spend much in soundproofing your bathroom walls, you can try these alternative tricks.
You can take thick towels and position them on rods and shelves around your bathroom.
The towels will absorb sound that leaves the bathroom before it reaches other rooms in your house.
Another cheaper alternative is using acoustic foam panels.
However because of the foam material, these panels are probably not the best way to soundproof your bathroom.
Acoustic foam panels are also perfect when it comes to soundproofing against bass.
Method4: Soundproof the toilet seat
I swear that sound of toilet seat crashing is so annoying.
That’s why I would highly recommend you to purchase one of these highly recommended quiet close toilet seats.
While you could simply ask everyone around the house to be more careful the next time when nature calls, we all know how this goes.
They’ll heed to what you said but after a day or two-they return to their old ways.
If you find yourself in this position, here is a trick I’ve tried in my house and moms house and worked magic.
I hope it works just fine for you guys.
First you will need to buy some self-adhesive silicon pads like these. Stick one pad on the top of your toilet seat cover where the cover touches the flush tank when it’s raised.
Then you’ll need to take a second pad and firmly stick it on the bottom of the toilet seat cover.
Attach the rest of the silicon pads between the toilet and the seat.
Method5: Sound dampen the Bathroom Floor
The bathroom floors should not be a big issue especially if you’re trying to block annoying bathroom sounds from reaching next rooms.
However it’s good to add some soft and smooth padding that will significantly reduce sound levels by reducing reverberations and echoes.
These bathroom rugs and mats are cheap but high quality and give aesthetic appeal to your bathroom.
My girlfriend ordered similar one’s for my mom’s summer house and our house.
But make sure that you pick the fluffiest that will cover as much space in your bathroom as possible.
Method6: Pay White Noise
One of the simplest and easiest fix is getting a white noise machine. Playing white sounds will mask all those irritating bathroom noises and also sooth you.
However this is not the best method if you’re trying to prevent bathroom sounds from reaching your TV room but is ideal for bedrooms.
How Much Does it Cost to Soundproof a Bathroom?
If you want to sound isolate your bathroom, it’ll cost your between $200 and $7000.
You’ll spend approximately $150-$400 for expenses related to insulating materials and $20-$50 for additional hardware tools required.
If you hire an expert, you’ll incur approx. $150-$300- but that’s optional since techniques can be DIY.
However, it’s important to note that the figures can vary because some people prefer expensive soundproofing materials while others prefer cheap options.
Soundproofing cost per square foot
According to the information I obtained from Remodeling Website, the average cost sound deadening per square is $1.73 and $2.40 for better soundproofing and $3.13 for the best sound dampening per square feet.
However you should keep in mind that- the figures are just an estimate because of the difference in material cost.
Sound Dampening a bathroom door cost
The question about the cost of sound deadening a bathroom door is a tough one because of the different techniques of sound dampening your door and the varying cost of dampening materials.
I consulted one of my next door neighbors, a professional handy man and here’s what he said.
Andrew, dampening a bathroom door will cost you between $80 and $5000, it all depends on the material needed and where you buy them.
I know that probably this is not the best answer to your question but you can always consult any repair company near you to get exact amount.
How much does it cost to soundproof a bathroom wall?
Sound dampening a wall will cost you between $90-$300 depending on the material and there are of the wall to cover.
When to Hire a soundproofing expert
While you can implement some soundproofing the bathroom techniques above at time you’ll need to hire an expert. Hiring an expert will help you save time and ensure that the job is done right.
But only hire an expert if you can afford it, or if you don’t have time or technical knowhow.
You can search on google- something like (sound insulating expert near me or sound insulating expert in (city).
If you live in Kansas, you can search- soundproofing expert in Kansas. It’ll cost you roughly $150-$350 to insulate bathroom noise.
On Soundproofing Bathroom
There you have it guys, tricks on how to soundproof bathroom.
What method are you going to implement now that you’ve a basic overview?
Is there any other technique you know of, but not listed above?
Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.
You can also read my latest article on how to soundproof a laundry room click here and the best cheap soundproofing materials you can get today.