HELP - Neighbor's wind chimes are driving me crazy!

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Are they the types that are a series of long tubes with a clapper in the middle? Go to Home Depot and get a can of insulating spray foam. A little squirt up each tube oughta muffle those puppies

 

[kilee]

I don't think asking a 3rd time is going to get the OP anywhere if times 1 & 2 haven't yet. I really feel sorry for you. I think you're in a tough situation. As much as I wouldn't condone ruining someone else's property. I don't know and accident may need to occur.

 

[Southern4sure]

Do you have a HOA to file a compliant with? If not, how about a motion detection light aimed at their window. When the chimes move the light comes on and shines...it's a mean idea but maybe your neighbor will get the idea when the light rarely goes off.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Are they the types that are a series of long tubes with a clapper in the middle? Go to Home Depot and get a can of insulating spray foam. A little squirt up each tube oughta muffle those puppies

Could you imagine the wind chime woman looking out the window and see someone sitting in the tree shooting that foam into her chimes? You could just tell her you were "tuning" them!

You got me thinking about the windchime I have by the pool. I can't hear it from inside the house, but I think I will move it just in case it bothers anyone.

 

[MomofKatie]

Wow!! I never knew there were so many people bothered by wind chimes!!! We have one set at the front door and one set at the back door- we have never gotten any complaints. I love the sound- to me it is like white noise.

I can understand your frustration, but if the chimes are on her property, and aren't excessively loud, then you don't really have much recourse. IMO, the police don't need to get involved- seems like a pretty frivolous reason to call, and they will probably tell you that as well. your best bet might be to "accidentally" knock them out of the tree.

 

[Towncrier]

Windchimes aren't nearly as annoying as barking dogs. ug:

 

[lillygator]

do you live in a deed restricted community? Is this against any of their violations or anything?

I think I would make a freindly call to the local police dept....she doesn't seem to want to budge. Twice is plenty to ask...

 

[lillygator]

and the whole windchime thing gives me the creeps, reminds me of The Hand that Rocks the Cradle!

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

Well, after reading this thread I supppose I am annoying the neighbors with my wind chimes!!

Note to neighbors: Sorry! Oh, and they are staying up! Have a great day!

 

[DaBoo]

How about playing loud music. Something really annoying like polka bands or something (or in my case I could send my DD who is just learning to play the flute out side to practice on that side of the house. Sounds like a sick moose. ). Just till they get the point

 

[tarmand]

Since you say that they were nice when you approached them about it, I'd maybe try talking to them one more time. Maybe you could say something like:

"Neighbor, we've expressed our wish for you to remove your wind chime located in the back of your lot. I understand that you may like your chimes, but they are a constant distraction for us. Since you don't want to remove them, perhaps you could move them closer to your house so that you could enjoy them."

Good luck. My husband's grandmother used to have wind chimes in front of her house and the room we had to sleep in had a window right by the porch. Many nights, I was tempted to rip those noisy things down.

 

[bananiem]

I can't believe how many people are saying you should harm her property! I'm sure these same psoters would be venting to the Community Board if they woke up one morning and someone had destroyed something of theirs!
I would try one more time. Tell her you can't sleep with the windows open because they keep you awake and could she please move them closer to her home? If she does, great. If she doesn't I'm not sure there's much you can do. She has the right to put what she wants in her yard. Even with noise ordinances I hardly think a wind chime is going to fall within the range.

 

[Marseeya]

I can't believe how many people are saying you should harm her property! I'm sure these same psoters would be venting to the Community Board if they woke up one morning and someone had destroyed something of theirs!
I would try one more time. Tell her you can't sleep with the windows open because they keep you awake and could she please move them closer to her home? If she does, great. If she doesn't I'm not sure there's much you can do. She has the right to put what she wants in her yard. Even with noise ordinances I hardly think a wind chime is going to fall within the range.

A wind chime being the operative word here. The OP's neighbor has several.

Everyone has a right to enjoy a quiet's night sleep, and no matter whether it's a dog barking or wind chimes, if it's noisy, it probably falls under a noise ordinance past certain hours (in my town it's 10 p.m.).

 

[bananiem]

The way I read the OP was that she is only complaining about the one in the tree, closest to her yard.

 

[Tinijocaro]

When they aren't home, stuff them with cotton balls.

Jackie

 

[Michie]

If I have said it once , I have said it a million times~ It is a lot easier to get along with your neighbors than not get along with them!!!

Get a noise machine, play some background music etc.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

If I have said it once , I have said it a million times~ It is a lot easier to get along with your neighbors than not get along with them!!!

Get a noise machine, play some background music etc.

True. And calling the police over this will cause very hard feelings. I doubt the noise that the wind chimes are causing would be over the limits of the noise ordinance. So then you would be wanting the police to act like your parents because there would be no law to truly enforce.

 

[Regina]

I would take a different approach. Since she appears to be agreeable, I would ask if she needs help in getting them down and relocating them closer to her house.

 

[disykat]

I would take a different approach. Since she appears to be agreeable, I would ask if she needs help in getting them down and relocating them closer to her house.

I think that's a great idea. I wondered if they were on a "honey do" list and hadn't gotten done.

If you need to get snottier, try telling her you have been pricing white noise machines for all the rooms in your house where you hear her chimes. Tell her you're willing to go halvsies.

 

[lucas]

WOW! Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!

I would never do anything to her property. So, I think will just have to wait for the right time to bring it up again. I was actually thinking of trying to get more friendly with them and then to bring up the subject.

Also, I don't want to call the police.

We do have a homeowners association, so if all else fails and I can't stand it anymore, I will contact them for help based on a noise nuisance problem. I really don't want to cause hard feelings but as a last resort this is what I might have to do.

Tarmand: I like what you said - I will have to practice a speach like that before I talk to her!

WebmasterRegina: I like that idea too.

disykat: Good points!

Thanks again for all the replies. These boards are great!!!

P.S. What do you guys think about a friend's suggestion? Here is what they suggested: "She thinks I am bossing her around, after all it is her place. Tell her I'll pay for the cost of the windchime if she takes it down. She might see my desperation. Approach her with something like a pie when I speak to her again." What do you think about this idea??