Wall vent removal

[MattyP182]

Hi there,

Does anyone know how these wall vents are fixed to the wall? I think it's original from when house was build 60's. Can't see any sign of fixings. Was thinking to take a utility knife to the edge of it to see if it would lever off. Aiming to not damage the plaster work, cut and fit a piece of insulation board to the internal hole shape then put a new adjustable vent on which I assume will use plugs and screws, it's a cavity brick wall. In warmer months will maybe remove the insulation. There are no gas appliances in the room. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Wayners]

Careful, check its not asbestos.
I've taken loads out.
Suppose to be unlicensed work if its asbestos with training but I suited up. Sprayed water and foam and removed whole. I was lucky our local tip took asbestos

 

[opps]

They re often "glued" on.

 

[Fred Blogs]

Careful, check its not asbestos.
I've taken loads out.
Suppose to be unlicensed work if its asbestos with training but I suited up. Sprayed water and foam and removed whole. I was lucky our local tip took asbestos

Would have been a good idea to tell the OP how to remove it if you have "taken loads out" rather than frightening him by mentioning asbestos, of which would be miniscule even if, in the unlikely event it is asbestos.

 

[^woody^]

Looks like a plaster vent and stuck on with plaster. Difficult to remove without damage to the plaster around it.

Score the perimeter with a stanley knife, lever with a wide rigid scraper.

 

[MattyP182]

Thanks for the tips, plaster vent seems about right. Would probably replace with plastic version. Not worked with insulation board before, assume I could cut to the size of the rectangular opening for a tight ish fit then put on the new vent with screws? Alternative would be something like rockwool. Thanks

 

[Wayners]

I just put an old wood chisel in wall just away and hit the end with a hammer. That will sunk in the plaster under vent, then levered it off.
I'd spray with water first as will be dusty inside. Try get it off as one bit.
There is information on HSE website regarding and people can decide what to do themselves.
I'd rather say than Keep quiet. Yes it's probably just plaster and not harmful but who knows.

I used to remove them.
Put insulation in hole.
Thermalite block so it's not a cold spot.
Plaster over.
Outside id cover bricks with duck tape to keep clean.
Cover new bricks with duck tape.
Cut out damaged bricks.
Sand and cement new bricks in.
Pull tape when it's set.
Very easy job.

Pictures of a gas air vent hole.

 

[MattyP182]

Thank you wayners for going through the whole process. I'm probably not going to touch outside for now as it's upstairs and don't fancy the ladder work. Thermalite block sounds like good idea and heard that mentioned before but that might be for when it's permanently blocked up which may happen if we replaster the room. Thanks again