If your pool pump is too loud, the good news is that you have options - all of which cost a good bit less than you spend on pool maintenance. Whenever we start thinking about helping a customer with a pool pump noise issue, we start with some basic discovery questions to make sure we make the best possible recommendation.

1. Are there any options besides soundproofing the pool pump? Should you be upgrading to a variable speed pump, which still creates noise but is typically better? Does the pump's basket need to be cleaned? Should the pump be serviced? From this point forward, we'll assume your pool pump works perfectly.
2. Is this your pool pump or does it belong to a neighbor? If the pool pump belongs to your neighbor, the best results will come from cooperating with them on a potential solution. Keep that in mind before you file a noise complaint against them or start flinging dog poop into their backyard.
3.  Is the noise transmitting through the structure? If the pool pump is rattling or shaking against the slab when running, you'll get a significant reduction in noise just by isolating the pump with a rubber mount or pad.
4. Is the noise from the pool pump airborne? The answer is yes. You have airborne noise from the motor. We need to create a barrier between you and the pool pump and/or surround the pool pump with as much outdoor rated absorption as we possible.

Here's a handy table showing the most common solutions to reduce unwanted pool pump noise.

The key to soundproofing a pool pump is address the structural and airborne noise - with most situations requiring a focus on reducing the airborne noise. The best way to stop airborne noise is to build a barrier between you and the pool pump using dnese soundproofing materials while also surrounding the pool pump with outdoor rated absorption materials. Here are our top pool pump noise reduction solutions:

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 (BlocknZorbe™ material in charcoal)
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 great) 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 with acoustic sealing caulk. 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 BlocknZorbe.

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. You can add density to your box or enclosure 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.

ISOLATE THE POOL PUMP TO STOP VIBRATIONAL NOISE

If your pool pump is not isolated from the concrete slab it sits on, structural noise is likely part of the problem. The worst structural noise problems occur when the pool pump is bolted directly to a slab that is connected to the rest of the house, allowing the vibrations from the pump travel to transmit into the rest of the house. If you "feel" low frequency noise in your house, the answer is to isolate your pool pump with a rubber isolation mat or a rubber isolator like our Super W pads.

A poorly isolated pump can still be a problem is the slab is in the backyard. We can shave 20-30% of the noise just by isolating the pool pump with one of our 1/2" thick rubber mats.

Soundproof the windows in your home

When customers call in about a noise issue, our first step is to gather information to ensure we recommend the BEST solution for them. One key question for a pool pump is "where are you when the noise from the pool pump bothers you?"

Sometimes the pool pump noise is bothering someone while they're in their home - often in a bedroom. If that's you, you can get Fantastic Frame™ Window Inserts to put over the windows in any room where the pool pump sound is too noticeable. These window inserts are extremely good at blocking noise through a window, even low frequency sounds like road noise or a pool pump motor.

Check out our article on soundproofing windows for more information.