Cellar ventilation ground level coal chute

mordzy · 25 Feb 2018

Hi all. I have a damp cellar and need to let it breath a bit. The only exit is via a coal chute that’s been blocked (I will re open it) presumably because water ran in.

I’m struggling to find any product that provides a water tight ventilation for coal chutes/holes that are level with the outside ground. I thought about building it up a bit but would require walking over as the chute is next to the front door on the path.

I’ve seen cast iron chute covers with holes in but the water would just run back in.

Any suggestions?

JohnD · 25 Feb 2018

is the ceiling of the cellar above ground level on any side(s) of the building?

mordzy · 25 Feb 2018

Ceiling is solid sandstone slabs that act as the floor above. The ground floor is the same height as the land outside.

Picture is front door threshold and a shot looking to the right of door. The coal chute us just under the gravel below the window cil.

I’d thought about some humidity control is the chute is the only vent one open. The cellar is approx 2m x 4m very small

JohnD · 25 Feb 2018

you could use an airbrick that is lower on the inside than the outside. You may have to position then between joists, otherwise lower thr ground level beside the house (it sounds like it may have been raised over time. It's common for old houses to have new paving added that raises the level above any DPC and encourages damp and rot.)

you need vents on at least two sides of the house to get a throughflow of air. At least one each 2 metres along the walls, since you already have a damp problem. Also examine your drains and gullies for cracks and leaks.

Look for "periscope vents"

TicTac · 25 Feb 2018

Now this won't be an elegant solution, but think about using a drain pipe that goes up, and then points downwards for ventilation.

mordzy · 30 Mar 2018

Hi all. I did a bit more research and found some periscope air bricks. I’ve also dug out the old coal chute and covered with a slab to stop rain pouring in.

What I’ve found is that the solid ground floor forms the cellar roof. They are huge slabs, as such I can’t chip out a stone one course above the coal chute opening to install the vent. It’s actually the floor. I could chisel a bit out but I’m a bit worried about damage. Secondly I can’t install a vent at another point in the house as it’s all solid floor. The cellar is 1/5 of the house floor space.

foxhole · 30 Mar 2018

You could make up a pericope vents using 4" soil pipe and stick a fan on the internal end to increase ventilation.

mordzy · 30 Mar 2018

Any ideas what to put on the external end to prevent water ingress and rodents getting in? Also would the fan draw air in or push air out

TicTac · 30 Mar 2018

You may need to be a bit creative on this. You need ventilation on both sides of the cellar, and the fan will pull from one side, and push out of the other. You'll also need to find a fan, and then find the pipe size to match it. The pipe needs to be sited about a foot out of the ground, and then be bent back over on itself so that it points downwards, and then fit a rodent cover on it.

foxhole · 31 Mar 2018

Standard 100mm fans fit and a simple weather cowl on the outside.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/1119244801...3D710-134428-41853-0%26rvr_id%3D1484340874907

The fan will push air out, no point drawing air in which would push damp air into the home.

mordzy · 31 Mar 2018

Thanks for the advice. Yep creative for sure, but the other sides of the cellar aren’t accessible externally as it’s smaller than the foot print of the house. The floors in the house are solid stone slabs with no cavity, no joists etc. I presume the areas that don’t have a cellar are just rubble and large foundation stone filled. Couple of questions!

Would the door at the top of the cellar steps left ajar be sufficient for air flow. Keeping in mind this room had a wood burner which I always leave the top vent open on.
What do you suggest to cover the outside hole with. A paving slab would prob do the trick but I’d need a hole for the pip which wouldn’t make it watertight.

TicTac · 31 Mar 2018

foxhole said:
no point drawing air in which would push damp air into the home

The idea is to draw fresh air from outside, and push the damp air out.

mordzy said:
Would the door at the top of the cellar steps left ajar be sufficient for air flow

Yes it would, but do you want to lose you're nice warm air in the winter down in to the cellar; okay, it would very likely help it, but fresh air pulled from outside is sufficient.

No right and wrong on this one, just you're choice.

You can either cement the pipe in place, or apply some sealant, but the cement would be better. It'll depend on the gap round the pipe.

foxhole · 31 Mar 2018

TicTac said:
The idea is to draw fresh air from outside, and push the damp air out.

Completely disagree , for around half the year the external air will be as moisture laden as the cellar air, would be rediculous to push the damp air into the home, same reason kitchens and bathrooms have air extractors.

TicTac · 31 Mar 2018

Who said anything about pushing the air into the house. Earlier posts suggested pipe one side, and pipe with a fan the other.

Looks like we may be talking at cross purposes.

foxhole · 31 Mar 2018

Already a door at one end for air supply.
You said,
" do you want to lose you're nice warm air in the winter down in to the cellar; okay, it would very likely help it, but fresh air pulled from outside is sufficient."
Warm dry air from the house is exactly want you want ,not cold damp air from outside during winter.

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