Loud ventilation exhaust from restaurant - what can I do?

Submitted by Playful_Statement_71 t3_123m8dr in pittsburgh

Hi everyone,

I live in a house above a restaurant. The restaurant has a ventilation exhaust which is extremely loud and constantly running. My apartment is literally vibrating from it, and spending time in the apartment is not enyojable anymore. I already talked to my landlord, they tried to communicate the issue but so far nothing has changed (the restaurant owners tried to tighten some screws, however it only helped a little bit. Of note, the exhaust appears very old and not well maintained). What can I do to change this, or is there even I can do about it at all?

Thanks for your answers!

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sj070707 t1_jdv9j00 wrote

It wasn't loud and constantly running when you checked out the apartment before you moved in?

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Lethophobia t1_jdvnqg7 wrote

I'm glad your place is perfect (for now) but please do come to this forum in the future and ask for help when you need it because I for one will drop everything to ask why you didn't realize the neighbor had 5 dogs before you moved in.

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chuck_mongrol t1_jdw0e19 wrote

To be faaaaaiiiiiir… a situation where a nuisance existed before you moved in significantly limits the legal options available to address the nuisance.

Determining whether the condition was preexisting or developed after OP moved in is kind of important.

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CARLEtheCamry t1_jdwl1hd wrote

> the exhaust appears very old and not well maintained

Sounds like the exhaust has been there a while. Now - was it malfunctioning when they looked at the apartment/moved in and this is a recent change I think is a valid question.

> a situation where a nuisance existed before you moved in significantly limits the legal options available to address the nuisance.

I rented an apartment once, off a local veterinarian, right next to his practice. While I lived there he had built a crematory right outside my back window, the place was typical Pittsburgh 1st floor in the front, walk out basement in the back so my apartment was basically at smoke-stack level.

My lease was up and I ended up moving out for other reasons, but man I would have been pissed if I was stuck in a lease and had to look at that thing running.

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ScareJessica2Death t1_jdvhqcb wrote

Reminds me of the time I camped on the roof of an all-night bowling alley.

I didn't fall asleep until the crack of dawn.

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dkm7093 t1_jdxqn4h wrote

If you can hear the exhaust fan vibrating, they should be able to attach it with vibration isolation mounts. They’re not expensive.

If it’s the actual air movement that you hear, they could attach an exhaust silencer wherever it’s venting. The silencer might be a few feet long. If there isn’t room for that, they could also use an elbow silencer. Either option should be less than $1k.

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aboutsider t1_jdv6mok wrote

From what I understand, any nuisance like this is actionable. Call 311

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ChefGuru t1_jdvb1js wrote

"Hi, 311, this airport next door to my house is really loud, can you do anything about it?"

It's not like the restaurant was built after they moved in...

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TheLiberator117 t1_jdvd4vr wrote

But it also shouldn't be in such a state of disrepair that it's vibrating the apartment. There's a line between chosing to live above a restaurant and something being broken that's causing unreasonable noise.

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aboutsider t1_jdvk1rf wrote

So, you think a whole ass airport is equivalent to a single piece of equipment for a single restaurant? Or, are you just here to tear down other people's suggestions while offering none of your own?

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cooldude_4000 t1_jdvravr wrote

Maybe contact your City Council representative?

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CARLEtheCamry t1_jdwem8l wrote

Not in the City of Pittsburgh - but I had kind of a similar incident as OP. One of my neighbors 2 doors down had their house up for sale (and had already moved out) and had one of those spinning roof vents that had a bearing go in it or something, and was this constant high-pitched whining that drove me and my dogs nuts any time the wind blew. (and for the record this is in Hopewell Township, right next to the airport that I listen to every day, so I'm not super sensitive to sound in general)

We didn't have contact info for the current owners, so I first reached out to the realtor who didn't respond.

Then reached out to my local township commissioners (CCing and including other neighbors with the same concerns, to not appear a Karen) and included video with sound. They sent someone out the next day to verify, and he stopped by for a friendly chat. They were able to bring to bear whatever township ordinance to basically contact the realtor and force the current owner into fixing it.

OP did the reasonable thing first - getting his landlord to talk to the restaurant owner first (ask nicely). But if it really is a nuisance, escalate up and hopefully someone will be able to bring some weight to bear.

Or... as I talked one of my neighbors out of... you could just climb up with a ladder and take care of it yourself. I don't recommend destruction of property though.

For the record btw I live in Hopewell township - near the airport. And the planes don't bother

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KentuckYSnow t1_jdvwaa7 wrote

Lol like people living above a bar complaining about the smokers talking outside.

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