TagSound Insulation(58)

The City of Burien is calling on Port of Seattle Commissioners to overhaul their decades-old noise insulation program after hundreds of Port-installed soundproofing packages in homes near Sea-Tac Airport have degraded or failed with no repairs made. A 2024 pilot program contacted 3,000 homeowners but evaluated only 30, and none qualified for repair under the Port's narrow federal-funding criteria. Burien is urging the Port to fund a broader replacement program using its own resources, pointing to San Francisco International Airport's locally funded model as a potential template.

Sharyn Parker, a retired Noise Officer and Sound Insulation Program Manager at King County International Airport, submitted public comments in February 2024 supporting Washington State bill ESSB 5955, which aims to address longstanding sound insulation repair and replacement issues for homeowners near Sea-Tac Airport. Parker, who managed Boeing Field's Sound Insulation Program from 2009 to 2015, raised concerns about unrealistic timelines, FAA funding eligibility, and the Port of Seattle's early program mismanagement, noting that some homeowners have waited nearly three decades for remediation of defective window installations. She urged legislators to pass the bill and called on the Port to improve contractor oversight, translation services, and public outreach for affected residents.

This Washington State Senate amendment (S-4747.1/24), sponsored by Senator Keiser, modifies legislation related to airport noise mitigation programs administered by port districts. It expands the types of professionals that port districts—such as the Port of Seattle—can hire to inspect sound mitigation equipment, replacing the requirement for a 'state certified building inspector' with the broader option of building inspectors or other professionals experienced in sound testing or window and door installations. The amendment also allows port districts to enter into interlocal agreements with their host counties to contract for such inspection services, and makes technical language changes to the bill's intent section.

This document illustrates common defects found in Port Package window and door installations in homes near Sea-Tac Airport, showing problems that go beyond normal wear and tear. Issues documented include exterior mold growth that impairs visibility, active water leakage between window panes, and serious structural damage caused by water infiltrating wall framing — in one case requiring a full wall replacement costing $100,000. These problems are reported across the geographic area where Port Packages have been installed and are not attributed to homeowner misuse.