Air Bricks to help condensation / prevent dry rot

[Tyga11]

Hi,

I have had a quotation for 6 double red plastic air bricks to be fitted in two parts of my house where we are having some condensation issues.

First of all, is this going to help much? Is it more to prevent future dry rot? Will it cause the house to get colder more easily?

Secondly, does the quotation of £360 to fit all 6 sound reasonable? It is a days work, and I assume one person will carry it out. Bearing in mind the parts are very cheap, this seems like a fair old wage for a days work!

Thanks,

Tyga11

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Read this first

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/building:condensation_in_houses

 

[Tyga11]

Thanks, I've had a read and it was helpful.

Can anyone advise if this price is ok or too steep?

 

[^woody^]

You will need to get other quotes to see if the quote is high or not.

£360 is a high price to pay if it is not the correct solution to your problem

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Thanks, I've had a read and it was helpful.

So has this all be explored? Generally condensation problems can be overcome without fitting air bricks eg by leaving windows ajar more often.

 

[Alastairreid]

Where are these vents being installed?

Is it underfloor cavity or room vents?

 

[gregers]

are these the plastic terrecotta type ?
9x3 or 9x6 ?

iirc think these cost about a £5 each

when i used to do this when i worked in the preservation industry the most i put in in a day was 15 hells bells wonder what my governor was charging then?.

to me seems a tad steep as said get other quotes,im assuming this is to update your sub floor ventilation?

 

[gregers]

are these the plastic terrecotta type ?
9x3 or 9x6 ?

iirc think these cost about a £5 each

when i used to do this when i worked in the preservation industry the most i put in in a day was 15 hells bells wonder what my governor was charging then?.

to me seems a tad steep as said get other quotes,im assuming this is to update your sub floor ventilation?

 

[Tyga11]

Cheers, yeah think is for sub floor as he talks about knocking through inner wall brick skin to create adequate sub floor and cavity ventilation. However, he does say the air bricks will be fitted at the "rear wall elevations".

I think we do need something done other than just opening windows and trying to manage the condensation as things are. My plans at the moments are:

1) Have air bricks fitted
2) Have washing machine replaced with vented washer/dryer
3) Get another radiator installed on the first floor near an area that gets very cold and the worst condensation occurs.
4) Dehumidifier to be installed and to come on when humidity reaches certain level
5) Extractor fan fitted in kitchen and poss have one in bathroom replaced as isn't very powerful
6) Poss have trickle vents fitted to windows

Comments/advice?

Thx in advance

 

[^woody^]

Cheers, yeah think is for sub floor as he talks about .....

Who is "he", and what is the actual problem you are trying to deal with

If this is for sub floor ventilation then what problem do you actually have?

Houses normally have all the underfloor ventilation they need when built, and tend not to need any extra ... unless existing vents have been obstructed or removed

 

[Tyga11]

Cheers, yeah think is for sub floor as he talks about .....

Who is "he", and what is the actual problem you are trying to deal with

If this is for sub floor ventilation then what problem do you actually have?

Houses normally have all the underfloor ventilation they need when built, and tend not to need any extra ... unless existing vents have been obstructed or removed

"He" is a damp specialist. The problem I want fixing is that there is a high level of moisture in the air that is leading to damp patches forming, potential health problems, and mould growing which makes a smell and is ruining some kitchen utensils

 

[^woody^]

OK. Well its hard to comment on what he has recommended other than you must either have a very bad problem as he is recommending everything, or he has not got a real clue and is recommending all the standard things ... aka a shotgun approach to cover a wide area and hope something gets hit

I can't see why the underfloor vents are specified though

Just be careful that he is not to gain financially from the work he is recommending. Also, it is very unusual for all this work to de done all at once.

Normally, there would be one or two urgent recommendations, along with advice and then to see what happens before doing all the other things. There is no guarantee that any or all of this will solve your problem.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

"He" is a damp specialist

Oh no! generally they don't know their ass from their elbow. Do you not have any existing air bricks in the walls under floor level already then?

 

[JohnD]

If you invite into your home a person who sells damp treatment, you can be confident he will tell you that you need to buy damp treatment.

Does anyone drape wet washing around the house?

A load of washing can hold two litres of water. Would you sprinle it around the house from a watering can?

 

[Tyga11]

We only appear to have one air brick under floor level. The plan is to replace that and fit one more near it and four more at the back of the house.

We dry a lot of clothes in the house as we are a family of 4 and don't have a tumble dryer (yet). We dry outside when possible but obviously less easy to do at this time if year.

Shall I wait until I have got the tumble dryer and dehumidifier set up before seeing if still need air bricks?