Air Brick Question

[paul.freeland]

I have a question regarding air bricks.
My semi detached has airbricks at about head height in all the rooms. Previous occupants have most of these in. The surveyor didn't pick up on them in the survey.

I have one in the back bedroom which was just papered over by the previous owner and I was wondering if I could block it completely.

Do they server a purpose? Can I block them? There are open airbricks under the floor.

 

[masona]

Are the air brick in line the floor joists and does it goes through to the inner wall as well?

Or does it come into the room?

 

[paul.freeland]

I'm not sure if they're in line with the floor joists as they are five feet in the air and the floor is covered.

They do come through to the inside. The walls are not vaity walls apparently, they are just 2 brick thick.

Is that enough information? They just look weird...

 

[masona]

To be on a safe side I can't tell you without looking at it, best to give the BCO a ring and they will have your drawing plan when your house was built and they should be able to tell the reason for it.

 

[paul.freeland]

It does seem strange. The only reason I can see for them being there is because each room has an open fireplace and it was to give the room some fresh air.

Now that we have central heating etc it does seem like we can cover them up. The rooms which have been covered up have no damp or anything.

Thanks anyway.

By the way I meant they weren't cavity walls, not vaity or whatever I put.

 

[masona]

It does seem strange. The only reason I can see for them being there is because each room has an open fireplace and it was to give the room some fresh air.

That's correct, BCO do asked for background ventilation for open fireplaces or gas fire, it help to draw air through the chimney. The air brick are normally just above floor level.

 

[Thermo]

how old is the house?

 

[paul.freeland]

1930's I believe.

 

[Thermo]

they often used to put air bricks at that height to help with through ventilation for the fires. If youve got none it can be quite safely blocked up. just make sure youve got enough down below