Underfloor ventilation

[Timw]

I need to increase the ventilation beneath a suspended wood floor. The obvious method would be to insert an airbrick or two but unfortunately the finished floor level is about the same as the outside pavement level. The wall is approx 10" solid brick.

The only way forward that I can see is to remove a brick just above pavement level and then cut a small shaft sloping down at an angle through the wall until the underfloor void is reached. An airbrick would then be fitted into the outside face of the wall.

Does anyone have thoughts as to the feasibility and/or effectiveness of this approach?

Tim

 

[Schoolmarm]

I would be reluctant because firstly you need cross air flow, so openings on one side aren't much good. Secondly I would be nervous of water ingress. Can the pavement be lowered?

Are there airbricks on the opposite side?

 

[Flyfisher]

Periscope-type vents are available, although I've no experience of their use: http://www.bbs-ltd.com/ventilation.htm

 

[Matt Green]

I need to increase the ventilation beneath a suspended wood floor.

Why? What's the problem you are trying to solve?

 

[Timw]

Matt, the problem is that we suffer occaisional smells of dampness that I believe may be due to dampness in the soil beneath the floorboards. There is also a little dampness in the boards themselves. It has been suggested to me that increasing the ventilation in the void between the soil and the boards would help.

 

[Timw]

I would be reluctant because firstly you need cross air flow, so openings on one side aren't much good. Secondly I would be nervous of water ingress. Can the pavement be lowered?

Are there airbricks on the opposite side?

There is already one airbrick, so there would be openings on two (adjacent) sides.

The pavement can not be lowered (this is a house that fronts directly to the street), but i would have thought that the amount of water ingress through the airbricks would be quite small??

 

[Schoolmarm]

" but i would have thought that the amount of water ingress through the airbricks would be quite small??



Probably, I just wanted you to be aware of it and check things like the fall of surrounding area etc.

 

[Penners]

I echo 'Marm's concern about water, if your airbrick is going to be in a "pit". However, with a bit of ingenuity you should be able to construct a small cover that will exclude water without stifling airflow.

 

[Timw]

Many thanks to all.
Tim

 

[Schoolmarm]

Let us know if you succeeded.