Noisy neighbours!

[Tinkerpuss]

Can anyone suggest a way I could reduce the noise I hear from my neighbours? I live in a semi-detached house and the living room wall is so thin. I can hear the woman next door constantly shouting and swearing at her 3 young children.
I have seen some very expensive panelling but I don't need recording studio silence.
I would actually like to sell my house as it is too large for one person but in this economic climate I can't see it selling in the near future.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[strudledoodle]

Can you report them? I had the same problem with a guy that lived in the flat upstairs from me. He was a tennant so I reported him a few times and he eventually got eveicted (other neighbours also contacted the police)

[Mosaic]

It depends on how handy you are - or you can get somebody in to do it - but I found that fixing one of the gyproc thermaline products to the wall (they stick on with plaster-like adhesive) and plastering / decorating over worked very well. I filled the bedroom alcoves either side of chimney breast in this way.
http://www.british-gy..._thermaline_plus.aspx
Try one layer - if you wanted to be extra sure you could then fix an off-set layer of ordinary fire resistant plasterboard on the top of that, and that should baffle the noise that isn't transferred through floor joists.
I agree that the products marketed for domestic soundproofing are very expensive, and probably overkill for the solution you want.

[wendilla]

I would try and remain anonymous if you live alone. Could you slip a note through her door when they are out saying the whole street can hear her swearing and shouting or something to that effect.

[maggiebee]

Would they pay any attention if you had a quiet word with them? Not nice to have to listen to this, but perhaps they don't realise just how thin the walls are and that you can hear every word.

[boxtops]

Have you got room to put a bookcase on that wall?

[tonyav]

Tell them how thin your dividing walls are and that you can hear all their private conversations.

[johnny37]

If you are thinking of moving it is not a good idea to report them. You would be obliged state in you sale documentds that there is a dispute.

You do not say what the existing wall is made of. It is normally breeze blocks which is quite good at stopping nose. However I agree with mosaic. It should not be too difficult a job for a reasonable DIYer to put up more insulation. Depends what you call expensive to solve what is a very stressful situation. Staff in stores like Wickes and B&Q are normally quite good at giving unbiased advice.

[The Builder]

I sympathise, Tinkers, but even expensive panelling isn't likely to stop all noise getting through. It's often been likened to water, in that it finds the smallest hole to get through.
I could easily give you some specifications for modern acoustic separating walls, but the processes would be either (a) costly, or (b) disruptive.
First off, what's the age of the house?

[Tinkerpuss]

Thank you all for your advice. I have never spoken to my neighbour and doubt if letting her know by whatever means, this would change anything - she obviously has an anger problem.
Mosaic's solution sounds the most practical - I cannot expect complete silence from a house with 3 young children, it is the mum who is the problem. The only reason I am considering moving is because of the noise and this solution would be much less expensive!