Do I need these vents in my wall

[briwire]

My daughters house was built in the 30's and we are gradually working through the house decorating. In most rooms there is a vent on the wall with an air brick on the outside and a plastic louvred cover with a sliding part to cover the louvres up if required.

However, when there is a strong wind, there is a draught even when the slider is used. Are these vents important. Modern houses don't have them. Years ago. this house would have had open fires but now they it has CH and a gas fire.

Would it cause problems if I was to brick them up and plaster over them? If it's' a gas appliance issue, could I have to leave the ones in the gas burning rooms but block off those in the bedrooms where there are just radiators for heating?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

It is likely that they are no longer needed. But it would depend on the rating of your gas appliances and how they are flued whether all can be removed.

 

[briwire]

There are three gas burning appliances in the house:- a gas fire vented into the living room chimney breast, a boiler in an upstairs room cupboard, exhaust flue vented outside and an open inlet straight up to the attic, and a gas cooker in the kitchen extension.

I would point out that I wouldn't block the air brick outside, just the inside one.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Block them up temporarily with some rigid plastic (like an ice cream tub lid) and tape to make sure you don't get any condensation issues before you permanently seal them up.