Ventilation with new internal block wall.

[RobertBM]

Need some advice on constructing an internal wall (3830 x 3050) with Thermalite blocks, ensuring it doesn’t effect the ventilation. Just to say I’m not looking to create a wall of studwork.

At the moment we have a narrow L shaped hallway and I’m looking to widen it by moving one wall to make it completely rectangle. The wall has been inspected by a builder and an architect who both confirm it is not load bearing. As you can see from the pictures our bungalow has a raised wooden floor resting on sleeper walls. My main concern is ensuring the new wall wont effect the current under floor ventilation. How would I ensure this is the case? Would I need to create a partly honeycomb wall below the flooring joists to allow the air to flow? Being as this would effect its strength would I need those to be of hi-strength Thermalite blocks with regular blocks above?

As for the foundations, would building it directly on oversite be sufficient? I ask this because I have no idea how deep ours are.

I’m only a regular DIY’er so any useful help would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance,

Robert

 

[^woody^]

Your main concern should be that oversite may not normally be able to support a block wall.

Otherwise, a honeycomb wall in bricks, and wall in standard blocks will do.

 

[RobertBM]

Your main concern should be that oversite may not normally be able to support a block wall.

Otherwise, a honeycomb wall in bricks, and wall in standard blocks will do.

Great. Was looking for a direct answer and yours does nicely. Thanks

 

[RobertBM]

Your main concern should be that oversite may not normally be able to support a block wall.

Otherwise, a honeycomb wall in bricks, and wall in standard blocks will do.

Out of curiosity, is there a reason why a honeycomb wall cannot be made of blocks rather than bricks?

 

[mcluma]

Actually you can just stick a 3" pipe through the wall every 3 feet, and continue building, that is ok - like i said in the earlier post you need to create airflow

 

[RobertBM]

Actually you can just stick a 3" pipe through the wall every 3 feet, and continue building, that is ok - like i said in the earlier post you need to create airflow

Sounds like a good idea as never thought of that. The good thing is the pipe would provide some strength rather than having a gap between the blocks. Many thanks!

 

[^woody^]

Just putting a hole/pipe every now and again is not the best solution as it leads to dead-spots of no or limited air movement

There is no better option and nothing wrong with , a honeycomb wall when you have the opportunity to build one. Holes and pipes are a second best and really just for retro-fit work.

 

[RobertBM]

Just putting a hole/pipe every now and again is not the best solution as it leads to dead-spots of no or limited air movement

There is no better option and nothing wrong with , a honeycomb wall when you have the opportunity to build one. Holes and pipes are a second best and really just for retro-fit work.

If I can build a honeycomb wall with blocks then I’d be happy to do so. I’m no brickie and have only done a few small projects with blocks, rather than bricks. It doesn’t help that I can’t find any examples of this kind of work done, especially with blocks.

 

[mcluma]

Just putting a hole/pipe every now and again is not the best solution as it leads to dead-spots of no or limited air movement

There is no better option and nothing wrong with , a honeycomb wall when you have the opportunity to build one. Holes and pipes are a second best and really just for retro-fit work.

Sorry you suggested a honeycomb the whole length, yes that is the best solution, i thought/presumed you ment to do it every now and again