It is imperative to determine the type of noise your pool pump is making before you take action to soundproof it. The two types of sound you will be dealing with a pool pump are:

• • Structural: Structural noise occurs when parts of the pool pump are rattling or shaking while the pump is running. To deaden structural noise, you will likely need to use a decoupling product such as rubber isolation mounts to isolate two hard surfaces that are smacking into each other.
  • Airborne: Airborne noise is most likely the reason you want to soundproof your pool pump. Examples of airborne noise are water moving, fans operating, or other standard operational noises that the pump and its motor will make.

It is normal for pool pumps to make some noise as they are machines with a motor and moving parts. If you notice a change in your pool pump and it starts making much more noise than normal, you might have a broken pump. We are soundproofing experts here at Second Skin, not pool pump technicians, so if you suspect your pool pump is broken, we recommend calling a pool maintenance professional.

If your pool pump is functioning perfectly, but you want to quiet it down a bit, read on.

The key to soundproofing a pool pump is to build a barrier between you and the noise source and build that barrier in the right way so that it has dense soundproofing materials that are made for stopping sound transfer. For any louder-than-normal issues, you may want to consider calling a pool pump technician. Here are our top pool pump noise reduction solutions:

Pick Your Pool Pump soundproofing Solution

Not everyone fits in the same boat, so we have different a few different paths you can take.

Build a Pool Pump Quiet Box

The keys to a pool pump noise reduction box are:

1. Make a dense enclosure that is well sealed
2. Add sound absorption inside the box
3. Improve the density of the box for more blocking

Step One: Build a Well-Sealed Dense Enclosure

The enclosure should be built of a dense material (1/2” plywood works well) that surrounds the pool pump on the sides and top with no air gaps. If there are gaps in the box, you must seal them. Use acoustical sealant to close up any air gaps or seams where airborne noise can escape. Even a small gap in the barrier can allow a lot of noise to escape. Large openings will need to be sealed with wood or an MLV sound barrier. If any openings are for ventilation, you’ll need to leave those uncovered or the pump can overheat. To preserve ventilation, build a baffle “silencer” for those vent openings using our BlocknZorbe™ material in charcoal.

Step Two: Add Sound Absorption to Your Box

Adding sound absorption on the interior side of the airtight soundproof box reduces the reflectiveness of the surfaces inside the box and ultimately reduces the amount of noise that you will hear outside of the enclosure. If your barrier is made of plywood, the best option is to add BlocknZorbe™ sound panels inside the box with 100% coverage. They're rated for sound absorption AND sound blocking, and these panels are waterproof, easy to clean, and UV stable (charcoal only), so they last forever outside. Just screw them into a box or attach them with a strong outdoor adhesive.

Step Three: Improve the Density of the Box

Even if you have covered the pool pump on all 5 sides with BlocknZorbe™, your enclosure may need more to block sound, if the structure was made of thin materials. Add density to a box like a pool pump with outdoor rated Luxury Liner™ Reinforced MLV.

SOUNDPROOF A SHARED FENCE OR BUILD A FENCE AROUND YOUR Pool PUMP

If you are dealing with a neighbor's pool pump that is directly on the other side of your shared fence or you'd prefer to build a soundproof fence around your pool pump rather than build a box, this is a great way to go. Although this won’t yield the same results as a full enclosure, if done correctly, it can effectively reduce noise and it can help with other unwanted sounds too.

The most important thing to look out for when building any type of soundproofing structure is breaking the line of sight between you and the noise source. If there is a clear line of view between you and the pool pump, you will hear it. Here are the four key principles to keep in mind when soundproofing any fence.

Fence Placement

The most effective place for a fence to be is close to the noise source or close to the receiving side. This will prevent sound from flanking over the top of the fence. If you're soundproofing for your neighbor's pool pump, soundproofing your shared fence will only be effective if the pump is near the fence. If you're building your own fence, the same applies.

Fence Height

As long as the fence is at least as tall as the pool pump and breaks the line of sight, you will see a 5 dB noise reduction. But for the best results, we recommend building the fence at least double the height of your pump.

Fence Density

Just like with a standard enclosure, the density of the fence matters. If you want to block as much sound as possible, we recommend using our charcoal BlocknZorbe™ panels in conjunction with a wood fence. These panels will improve the STC rating of your fence while also creating an absorptive face.

Alternatively, you can hang UV stable mass loaded vinyl from the fence or use a soundproof blanket like our Quiet Quilt Outdoor Soundproof Blankets for lightweight fences like chainlink fences or our Quiet Quilt Outdoor Acoustic Blankets to cover the face of a denser fence like a wood fence.

Fence Construction

It is also important to ensure the gaps in your fence are filled. The materials you choose to add density to the fence should be installed at 100% coverage to make sure no sound is leaking through.

Check out our guide for more information on soundproofing a fence.

STOP VIBRATIONAL NOISE ISSUES

While not normally the biggest concern customers express with noisy pool pumps, it is definitely something to consider. If your pool pump is situated on an uneven surface or transmitting vibrational energy onto a deck or concrete, you may be fed up with hearing that. Use a rubber isolator like our Super W pads to keep your pool pump from making direct contact with the structure below to remove annoying vibrational noise from the equation.

Soundproof the windows in your home

When customers call in about a noise issue, we ask the necessary questions to get to the BEST solution for them. The question we would ask here is, "where are you when you have this noise disturbance?" Because we ask these questions, we know that some pool pump customers are only bothered by the noise when they're in their home. If that's you, you can get Fantastic Frame™ Window Inserts to put over any windows where pool pump sound is leaking through. You'll also be making these windows soundproof to things like traffic, barking dogs, and loud neighbors, and you'll be reducing thermal leakage by up to 60%.

Check out our article on soundproofing windows for more information.