CONSERVATORY PROBS

[WD36]

HI
Im after some advice re a conservatory we are having put up. The problem is the two air bricks at the back of the house, one has been covered by the conservatory wall, theres actually a small section still uncovered between the inner and outer wall thats been put up. The builders have put an air brick in on the outer wall about three bricks along but im concerned that it wont allow sufficient air flow. The second air brick is now partially covered by the concrete floor the builders have layed but again they have said this wont cause any problem. I hate to be a doubting thomas but id like an unbiased opinion. There is one other issue and that is the thermalite blocks used in the foundation appear to be abbsorbing the ground moisture, is that usual?

 

[Robert too]

The air brick should reallly be piped to take its air from the new wall , you could end up leaving an area where no cross ventilation is achieved in the existing floor .

Just basics imho and they are skimping them .

As for the Thermalite blocks , do you know what ones they are ?

 

[WD36]

No Ive had a look to see if theres any identifying numbers on the blocks or tags left lying but cant see anything. Sorry to sound dim but what is imho? Next question is should I be expecting them to sort the air vents out . I forgot to mention that at present the floor has a slope in it toward the exposed air brick

 

[^woody^]

Thermalites are OK for underground. On the inside they can go up to DPC level, but on the exterior they should be kept 225mm below ground level and then engineering bricks used up to DPC.

I would be really concerned about having airbricks to the underfloor blocked.

These ventilate the floor timbers and allow moisture to evapourate. If blocked or reduced, the timbers under your floor could remain damp and rot/fungus can set in quite quickly.

In addition, the vents should be ventilated to the external air - its no good having them vent into yor conservatory.

 

[Robert too]

I am just a dinosaur , i would never have turbo blocks under ground on a property of mine

 

[^woody^]

Underground, ground floors, load bearing walls, and even roofs in the Celcon 'Ra' house - they are everywhere.

What is wrong with them undergound?

 

[WD36]

Should i expect the company to sort the ventilation problem out ?? I have raised the issue with them from the begining but they keep telling me that what they are doing is ok, although i was told originally they would run a pipe under the floor to the external wall. They have changed that now because they say the floor is not as built up as expected even though it does cover part of the vent and presumably will be slightly higher with the flooring that goes over the concrete

 

[noseall]

Should i expect the company to sort the ventilation problem out ?? I

yes. adding a conservatory will stifle the air flow across the floor timbers, unless your window monkeys duct the existing vents to the outside wall.

if they contravene this requirement, then sue. you will need either the same venting capacity that you have now or greater.

the consequences can be quite expensive.

 

[Robert too]

Underground, ground floors, load bearing walls, and even roofs in the Celcon 'Ra' house - they are everywhere.

What is wrong with them undergound?

Just not for my house .

Why do they not make trench blocks of the same density ?
I just feel its crack city and not an option that i would choose , as i say its personal choice .

I get the feeling you dont like others to have an opinion in here ,dont worry , i wont interfere again.

 

[^woody^]

I get the feeling you dont like others to have an opinion in here ,dont worry , i wont interfere again.

I get the feeling that you don't like others questioning your opinions

Correct me if I am wrong, but the whole idea of a forum is for people to express their opinions whether they differ or agree.

If your opinions are wrong, then I'll let you know. lol

 

[noseall]

i have to say, i would be a little wary about using a porous block underground particularly where water and frost are concerned.

although i have not seen frost damaged aerated blocks even on external walls at ground level (as opposed to those below ground and protected)

most peculiar?

perhaps the air pockets allow the expansion of freezing water??

 

[Robert too]

I get the feeling you dont like others to have an opinion in here ,dont worry , i wont interfere again.

I get the feeling that you don't like others questioning your opinions

Correct me if I am wrong, but the whole idea of a forum is for people to express their opinions whether they differ or agree.

If your opinions are wrong, then I'll let you know. lol

Forums are perfect for just that .


My opinions are just that , my opinions , based mainly on many years experience .

Water the horses well tonight , you no doubt have a long day tommorrow

 

[^woody^]

.... i was told originally they would run a pipe under the floor to the external wall. They have changed that now because they say the floor is not as built up as expected even though it does cover part of the vent and presumably will be slightly higher with the flooring that goes over the concrete

What they should have done is inserted some 'periscope' air bick liners to duct the air from new airbricks on the external conservatory wall, to the duct pipe laid under the new floor, and then knocked a vent hole trhough the existing house wall lower down under the conservatory floor and put the pipe through this hole.

Obviously this is an extra £3 for the periscopes, £10 for the pipe, and 1/2 hour of time to make the holes. So I can see why they did not want to do it

 

[WD36]

just a quick up date

I got in touch with the company yesterday told them after seeking advice i didnt want any more work done until air vent issue addressed. The upshot was that they have moved and enlarged the air vents. Thanks for all advice given.