Indoor pools are going to be noisy because of all the activity going on, but the noise issues are further exacerbated because indoor pools are large, open spaces filled with highly reflective surfaces. Think about it—concrete walls, tile floors, and of course, the water itself. These materials don’t absorb sound; they reflect it, causing reverberation and echoes.

Why good pool acoustics matter

Safety is the top priority in these environments, and pool acoustics play a big role in that. The echoes and reverberation caused by the abundance of reflective surfaces leads to poor sound quality, making it hard to understand conversations or hear important announcements. That means all that noise isn't just annoying; it can be dangerous. Imagine a lifeguard shouting instructions that get lost in the echo, or trying to communicate during a swimming lesson, but the message is garbled. Not good.

Areas of focus for noise control

Noise issues in indoor pools generally fall into two categories: the pool area and the pool pump room. Tackling these areas with acoustic materials and proper soundproofing can significantly improve the sound quality of your indoor pool.

Pool Area

This is the space where all the fun happens. Kids can’t help but shout and play in a pool, and they even get rowdy enough to get a whistle blown and megaphone correction from the lifeguard. With so many voices and noises, it’s no wonder it gets exceptionally loud in there. Improving pool acoustics with high-quality absorptive materials will make the pool area a much more enjoyable space.

Pool Pump Room

Pool pumps are a significant part of what makes a pool a pool. Typically, this machinery hums away in a separate room, but much of that noise can still make its way into the pool area. By soundproofing the pool room, you can keep that unwanted noise from joining the party!

To reduce noise in the pool area, you’ll need to do a proper acoustic treatment. The goal is to bring the reverb time down to between 1.5 and 2 seconds—comparable to a gymnasium. Untreated pools can have reverb times of over 20 seconds, which is, frankly, mind-numbing. The fact of the matter is, any amount of sound absorption will help, but to get optimal results, more is better.

The best place to start is giving us a call for an acoustical analysis from one of our acoustics professionals! We'll tell you how much absorption you need in your space and the best material for the job!

ACOUSTICAL materials suited for pools

The next step is choosing the right acoustic material: one specifically designed for the moist environment of a pool. There may be one style that fits the bill, or your room may call for a combination of products. Our top recommendation is BlocknZorbe™ because it's a 100% moisture-resistant panel that’s waterproof all the way through. It’s easily the most requested product for pools, clean rooms, and food prep areas because it's durable, long-lasting, and resistant to water, mold, and fungal growth. There are two colors and plenty of different styles to choose from to fit your room's needs.

Call us at 1.800.679.8511

The pool pump can be another significant source of noise. The constant hum of machinery can leak into the pool area, adding to the cluster of noise. Here’s how to keep that contained inside the room.

STEPS TO SOUNDPROOF A POOL PUMP ROOM

1. 1.  Soundproof the door
   2.  Seal the room
   3.  Add absorption

Do you have a pool pump that isn't in a separate room? Build a pool pump enclosure!

STEP ONE: Soundproof the DOOR

Doors are almost always the worst sound-leak offenders. To soundproof a door properly, first ensure the pump room has a solid core door. This type of door is much better at blocking sound than a standard hollow core door. With a solid core door in place, seal any gaps under and around the door with our Door Seal Kit.

STEP TWO: SEAL THE ROOM

When soundproofing anything, the number one rule is to plug the leaks. It doesn't matter how dense your barrier is if it isn't sealed up. If there are any gaps, cracks, or crevices along the wall, seal them up with some acoustical sealant to ensure the sound from your pool pump stays inside.

We have more wall soundproofing tips and assemblies for further assistance.

STEP THREE: ADD ABSORPTION

When you add absorption into a sealed room, the overall noise in the space will be reduced, making a sizeable impact on how much noise is able to escape. CelluZorbe™ is an excellent pick for this because it is both mold and mildew resistant, extremely cost-effective, and simple to install.

NO POOL PUMP ROOM? BUILD AN ENCLOSURE!

Some pools don't have the pool pump in a separate room. In that case, we highly recommend building an enclosure to contain the noise. We have plenty of tips on that in our guide for building a pool pump box.