Echoing room since putting in solar cable in internal wall

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Stu1

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#323461 5-Dec-2025 12:59

Hi team , I thought I would be clever and install the cable from the solar panels to the inverter in an internal wall instead of the outside of the house. The room now has an echo and sound from outside is amplified. Ideally I don’t want to regib but I’m thinking that’s the only option. If I do regib what can I wrap around the conduit so it doesn’t create an echo ?. This is how I batted which I thought would of been ok.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#3440418 5-Dec-2025 13:59

The insulation should be tight fitting, however, even without it, replacing the Gib shouldn't cause the issues you describe.

Did you use the same type of Gib and install as per the manufacturer's instructions? E.g. Bracing Gib requires more screws than you'd think necessary, with specific spacing.

tweake

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#3440509 5-Dec-2025 17:25

noise from outside is probably coming in around the edge of the pipe. also i see the white cable has a big hole. but funny enough small holes tend to be worse for sound. so foam/seal any gap, especially small gaps, through the top and bottom plates. push the insulation tight up against the timber.

the other is probably coming through around the edges of the gib depending on how well the plaster work is done. really common for the wall intersections to not have insulation and be open to the outside (assuming the wall on the left is external wall). its often the plaster work that seals the gap in the corner (this is often why corners go moldy).

Stu1

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#3440518 5-Dec-2025 18:19

The Walls are both external, I brought some acoustic silicone today so will climb under the house and seal it, will do the same in the roof. There was basically no bats in either wall so thought adding would be ok . It’s the only room that echo’s I’m wondering if the conduit is vibrating lot of solar going back through there to the inverter. Really don’t want to rip gib off over Christmas:)

Stu1

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#3440519 5-Dec-2025 18:24

SirHumphreyAppleby:

The insulation should be tight fitting, however, even without it, replacing the Gib shouldn't cause the issues you describe.

Did you use the same type of Gib and install as per the manufacturer's instructions? E.g. Bracing Gib requires more screws than you'd think necessary, with specific spacing.

Used even better gib originally it was 1970s gib . Used the standard 10 mm on the wall 13 mm on the ceiling . It’s the only room ever done that has a massive echo

gzt

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#3440521 5-Dec-2025 18:43

It should be relatively simple to determine the source of the sound conduction using something like a stethoscope.

Btw, I wonder if your conduit is overkill? I don't know the standard.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#3440522 5-Dec-2025 19:01

gzt: Btw, I wonder if your conduit is overkill? I don't know the standard.

Someone with solar knowledge will probably be able to confirm, but our solar wiring is all in conduit in the ceiling, so I expect it's a requirement.

Stu1:

There was basically no bats in either wall so thought adding would be ok .

Did you add paper behind the bats if not already present?

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gzt

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#3440525 5-Dec-2025 19:21

I wonder if the hard fill polyurethane spray is conducting sound from external cladding to internal cladding. It looks tight. I'd remove it in this scenario.

RunningMan

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#3440530 5-Dec-2025 19:58

Stu1:

Used even better gib originally it was 1970s gib . Used the standard 10 mm on the wall

Old 1970s gib is actually pretty dense compared to standard 10mm, which is lighter. Pretty much all the other gib variants are denser so will all have more impact on sound.

Stu1

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#3440545 5-Dec-2025 21:57

SirHumphreyAppleby:

gzt: Btw, I wonder if your conduit is overkill? I don't know the standard.

Someone with solar knowledge will probably be able to confirm, but our solar wiring is all in conduit in the ceiling, so I expect it's a requirement.

Stu1:

There was basically no bats in either wall so thought adding would be ok .

Did you add paper behind the bats if not already present?

Added new paper behind the bats as well, we have been doing up all bedrooms ceilings and new bats in all the external walls. This is the only room I’ve had echos with

SomeoneSomewhere

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#3440566 6-Dec-2025 00:24

Can you be a bit clearer on what's happening with the sound?

Echo = you make a noise in the room, it keeps bouncing around the room. Loud restaurant problem. Caused by lots of noise-reflective surface and nothing that absorbs noise. Add carpet, curtains, soft furniture, and if you're really desperate acoustic attenuating covers to ceiling/walls. The room can still be silent if you're silent.

Transmission through the wall is self-explanatory; someone makes a noise outside and you hear it inside. Swap any electrical boxes out for acoustically sealed types and check windows/curtains/weatherboards too.

Stu1:

The Walls are both external, I brought some acoustic silicone today so will climb under the house and seal it, will do the same in the roof. There was basically no bats in either wall so thought adding would be ok . It’s the only room that echo’s I’m wondering if the conduit is vibrating lot of solar going back through there to the inverter. Really don’t want to rip gib off over Christmas:)

Third option is the solar is actually making noise... seems unlikely; the inverter will make some noise but not the cable...

Instead of ripping off gib, consider adding a second layer.

gzt: I wonder if the hard fill polyurethane spray is conducting sound from external cladding to internal cladding. It looks tight. I'd remove it in this scenario.

I think that's just yellow batts and pink batts.

Stu1

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#3440583 6-Dec-2025 09:56

SomeoneSomewhere:

Can you be a bit clearer on what's happening with the sound?

Echo = you make a noise in the room, it keeps bouncing around the room. Loud restaurant problem. Caused by lots of noise-reflective surface and nothing that absorbs noise. Add carpet, curtains, soft furniture, and if you're really desperate acoustic attenuating covers to ceiling/walls. The room can still be silent if you're silent.

Transmission through the wall is self-explanatory; someone makes a noise outside and you hear it inside. Swap any electrical boxes out for acoustically sealed types and check windows/curtains/weatherboards too.

Stu1:

The Walls are both external, I brought some acoustic silicone today so will climb under the house and seal it, will do the same in the roof. There was basically no bats in either wall so thought adding would be ok . It’s the only room that echo’s I’m wondering if the conduit is vibrating lot of solar going back through there to the inverter. Really don’t want to rip gib off over Christmas:)

Third option is the solar is actually making noise... seems unlikely; the inverter will make some noise but not the cable...

Instead of ripping off gib, consider adding a second layer.

gzt: I wonder if the hard fill polyurethane spray is conducting sound from external cladding to internal cladding. It looks tight. I'd remove it in this scenario.

I think that's just yellow batts and pink batts.

The room has an echo the same as if the room is empty . If I walk along the the outside cladding knocking I get a hollow sound at the same point as the the conduit. If I clap and walk you get a vibration sound at the same point. I looked up AI last night seems common saying it can create a void of hollow cavity . Or the conduit is vibrating can also cause an echo sound. There was quite a large hole under the house I just sealed it up with acoustic silicone . I’m about to climb into the roof and see what it’s like and seal as well . We have pretty much renovated the whole house this is the only room giving me problems , none of the others echo or vibration. The only thing I have done different is the solar cables in the wall

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Stu1

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#3441855 8-Dec-2025 22:16

Update I used the acoustic silicone at the entry and exit point of the silicone and it’s worked;) happy I don’t have to regib and plaster this Christmas 🎅