Plastic air bricks?

[elialr]

This is my first post - hello!
We recently bought our first house, an Edwardian end terrace and had a damp and timber survey from a reputable firm. They advised that the two downstairs rooms needed floors replacing, due to high levels of damp, which is fine. However they said categorically that they would put in plastic air bricks (rather than clay) and we are wondering if these are really suitable for older properties. Just wondering if anyone on here has any experience? We are not experts in building / old houses but are aware of some of the pitfalls and don't want to fall into a new one.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

If they're insisting on putting plastic air bricks in, rather than (readily available) clay ones, then they aren't a 'reputable firm'. It makes little if any difference in practice, but it's very odd not to give you the option.
What is the make up of the floors they say need replacing?
I wonder what else they might have recommended?

 

[malcolm]

The ideal would be clay bedded in lime mortar, or if it is a vent a nice cast one with a pattern is surprisingly cheap (but needs painting). There is no reason to use plastic and it will look ugly.

The majority of damp companies do the wrong work and make things worse. The trouble is the long term fix is often quite cheap so there is no profit in doing that. If the floor is just a bit damp it should dry out after underfloor ventilation is unblocked and be perfectly fine. If there is rot it is more likely earth build up against the wood or outside the wall. Do post some photos of the problem if you would like a second opinion from the forum.

 

[stuart45]

Plastic air bricks do allow more air through than clay so are more efficient, but in any property I would prefer to just increase the number of air bricks and use clay.
Plastic look out of place, even on a newbuild.

 

[Flyfisher]

Plastic look out of place, even on a newbuild.

That sums it up for me.

I wonder why a 'reputable firm' would 'categorically' want to use plastic? An answer from them would be interesting to hear. Perhaps they're more used to building with Lego?

 

[elialr]

Thanks for your replies. The floors are wooden boards, we believe original in the front room and more recent in the back room (which is worse affected by damp). I don't know why they want to use plastic - they didn't give us a choice about what sort of boards they would replace the existing ones with either. We got this report before purchasing the property, so possibly that is one reason they gave limited options?
Interesting to hear that it is normal for firms to give more options - we used this firm because they are very long-established in the area and are the general 'go-to' damp and timber people here, but then again we are going on opinions from family members about work that dates back several years... things may have changed.

 

[MikeG]

Plastic air bricks do allow more air through than clay so are more efficient, but in any property I would prefer to just increase the number of air bricks and use clay.
Plastic look out of place, even on a newbuild.

This is the right answer.

Plastic air bricks let approx twice as much air through as clay, so, either put twice as many clay bricks in, or put the same number, but twice the size.

 

[Craig89]

I have just put cast iron air bricks in my extension. Good air flow and look the part too

 

[88v8]

Hello and welcome. Edit your Profile to show your location. It may help with recommendations.

The fact that this outfit is 'long established' means little. Damp treatment has even been the province of plausible snake-oil salesmen.

So why are the floors damp? No airbricks? Insufficient airbricks? Airbricks at the back blocked by an extension? No oversite? High ground levels?

And how does the damp manifest itself? Are the floors rotten? Very unusual for an entire floor to need replacement. Suspect they think you're a couple of mugs.

One must identify the cause before treating the consequences.
Plastic? Pah!

Ivor