Airbricks

[111mart111]

Hi everyone,

On my flank wall (1880 Victorian House) there are only 2 x Airbricks which are under the modern 2m apart current regulations (they are more like 3m apart).

Can you please tell me how easy (and safe (structually?)) it would be to knock out 2 bricks the same height as the existing airbricks (with a hammer and big chisel) and replace the bricks with something nice like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Victorian-Cas...yZ112389QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This would get the vent points under 2m as required these days ...

Thanks for your help,
Maarten

 

[middi]

If the existing air bricks are doing their job, ventilation, it is not necessary to install more air bricks.

If there is reason to believe that more ventilation is required there is absolutely no difficulty in tackling this. All you need is a long masonary drill, drill a series of holes around the perimeter of the existing brick or two to be removed and use a resonably long chisel with a hammer to dislodge the rest of the brick(s).

A couple of points. Be aware that the route is clear for the new vent and there is no floor joist in the way. Take care not to damage the surrounding brickwork or any DPC .

 

[NT]

Why do you want to do this? If its an old house theres probably nothing about it that meets new build regs. So what.

NT

 

[Penners]

The rule that applies to any element of an old building is simply this: is it functioning quite satisfactorily as it is? If so, don't fuss about building regulations - just let it go on functioning.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

 

[Lime]

Rather than putting in a new vent why not expand the ones you have?
Most vents are 3" x 9" but there are vents made 6" x 9" and 9" x 9".
It is much easier making a hole bigger than starting a new one.

Also, just to reiterate what others have said, you need to ensure the underfloor is clear behind the vents of joists and other odd bits found under the floor including sleeper/dwarf walls and 100 year old cobwebs.

However the point has already been made that the property doesn't have to meet today's building standards so don't do the work unless you really need to.