I have a new Ryland Home that I having a noise issue with the shower/tub within my master bath. The tub/shower combo is partly on a wall that faces a large open area that is open to the level below. So when the shower is on it can be heard through out the entire house. If you are watching TV in the living space below it is so loud it requires turning up the volume when the shower is in use. Not surprisingly, we have a fiberglass shower/tub surround so I am assuming the water hitting the bottom of the tub is echoing in the large area between the floor and the surround. I don't believe it is the plumbling noise issue as almost all of the plumbing runs in the house are made with some sort of plastic tubing. I would like to remedy this by insulating this open area between the surround and the floor but am curious what insulation to use? Should I use similar fiberglass insulation used to insulate the exterior of my home, or should a try to cut foam panels and try to fit them between the studs of the outfacing wall via the access panel used to access the back of the tub/shower plumbing fixtures? I am concerned about using foam (in a can) as it may expand and crack the drywall or tub surround or is that my only option?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
TIA.
- MW