Soundproofing a pool pump or a pool filter is one of the most common problems we face in the soundproofing business
. If the Pool pump is outdoors and is not in a pool equipment room, then the best way to soundproof the pump or loud filter is to construct a fence ttype enclosue around the pool equipment. This enclosure would be made of wood and would be very similar to a redwood o cedar type fence. It would be best to build the fence to at least the 8' level.
You would first build the fence structure. You would sink the 4' X 4' posts around the pool equipment and then attach the fence cross members to the posts. One side of the enclosure will need to be a hinged gate so you will be able to get to the pump and filter to service them.
Once you have the posts and cross members installed, you would then staple a layer of the 1# or 2# mass loaded vinyl directly to the fence structure. It is recommended that you staple the MLV to the fence using a plastic cap stapler or a nail gun that shoots the roofing nails with the large plastic heads. We also recommend that you over lap the MLV membrane by at least 1 ". You would then caulk the over lapped area as well as around the perimeter of the MLV material. It is also a good idea to tape the over lap using a seam sealer tape or even a good strong duct tape.
Now that the MLV membrane is attached to the fence and sealed properly, it is time to install the vertical "dogeared" slats. I highly recommend that you add slats to both sides of the fence enclosure in order to protect the mass loaded vinyl from the elements. That being said, the MLV is a weatherproof barrier material and will last for years if exposed to the elements, it will last even longer if it is protected on both sides. We do recommend applying the mass loaded vinyl to the gate as well.
Once your enclosure is completed you should notice a remarkable drop in the noise transmission from the pump motor and the pool filter unit.
There are other methods for soundproofing an outdoor pool pump unit but we will discuss those in subsequent articles. For now, this is Dr. Bob, Adios.