Why do old houses have air bricks?

An airbrick is a special type of brick that contains holes to allow the circulation of ‘fresh’ outside air beneath suspended floors and within cavity walls to prevent moisture building up as a result of cold or damp air ‘sitting’ in voids or empty spaces.

What happens if you cover air bricks?

If the air bricks are blocked or closed this will reduce the ventilation and the risk of serious rot and damp will be increased. Air bricks should never be blocked or closed and it is recommended that all air bricks are inspected and cleaned on an annual basis.

Can air bricks cause damp?

The black spots of mould you are experiencing will be as a result of condensation, so you are correct that a lack of ventilation is the problem. However, air bricks are not a guaranteed solution to the problem. They may allow some moisture to escape the property, but not enough to ventilate the whole home.

What is an air brick used for?

Air bricks, sometimes called air bricks or air vents, are special bricks containing holes that allow air to enter under the floor of buildings that have suspended floors. Cavity walls also need ventilation to allow airflow that will prevent moisture build up.

Do Victorian houses have air bricks?

Cavity walls were first used in the late Victorian period. Air bricks were also introduced in the late Victorian period and into the Edwardian period. The bricks, originally made from clay, were installed in walls and under floors allowing air to circulate and provide ventilation.

Are Airbricks needed?

Q: When are airbricks required? A: Generally, airbricks are a good idea for most structures but if you’ve one (or more) of the below in your build, they’re an absolute necessity.

Should a house have air bricks?

If your house has timber floors or a beam and block floor you should have airbricks to allow air to circulate underneath the ground floor, this is also known as ventilation. All properties with hollow floors should have air bricks built into the wall to allow a free flowing passage of air.

Will an air brick stop Mould?

If air lingers and stagnates it can lead to perfect conditions for black spot mould to form. Cleaning air bricks with a bottle brush once a year will greatly improve sub-floor ventilation and reduce the possibility of wood rotting fungal decay like dry rot.

Why do people block up air bricks?

Why Do Some Homeowners Block The Vents? The air bricks create an airflow underneath the floor; this can lead to drafts that pass through the floorboards into the home. Due to rising energy prices and a desire by many to reduce heating bills, some people choose to block the vents.

Where should air bricks be located?

Air bricks may be located either above or below DPC level and where possible on all sides of the building. Ideally air bricks should be located at least 75 mm above hard and soft landscaped areas to reduce the risk of being obstructed or flooded (see diagram 1).

Will air bricks stop condensation?

Under no circumstances install air vents or air bricks to assist with condensation; the short answer is : they will make it worse !

Do air bricks cause drafts?

The air bricks create an airflow underneath the floor; this can lead to drafts that pass through the floorboards into the home. We suggest you leave the vents in place and seal any gaps in the floor joists, so the draft remains under the floor.

What is the size of a cast iron air brick?

Period cast iron air bricks come in many different designs but often in just two standard sizes the 9″x 6″ and the ones shown above, the 9″ x 3″. The 9″ x 3″ is a typical under floor ventilation cast iron air brick and is more or less the size of a standard brick so blends in nicely with the street scene.

What types of airbricks do we produce?

We produce a range of cast iron and cast aluminium air bricks. All of our airbricks are manufactured in the UK using traditional methods and available in a number of stock sizes from our Airbrick Shop.

How efficient is a modern air brick?

This is about 1/3 as efficient as the period example below and the two modern replacements which all achieve around 5000mm2. Below we take a look at a standard designed Victorian cast iron air brick and compare its dimensions and specifications to a modern replacement.

How many air bricks do I need for a terrace?

Small terraces would normally have one or two at the front and the same at the back, larger properties utilising additional grilles under the hallway and additional air bricks fitted at the rate of one per metre. It should be noted that cast iron air bricks from Victorian and Edwardian periods were manufactured to varying standards and designs .