AIr Brick. Blocking All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[kenny888]

Hello,

I live in a purpose built flat. (Built in 1930's)

Some of my bedrooms have air/ventilation bricks near the ceilings (one per room). I'm assuming to aid the flow of air.

Would it be ok for me to block one of these up in order to minimise outside traffic noise? There are no appliances in the room and the room is 15' x 10' with a double glazed window and a door which exits into the corridor of the flat.

What would you recommend the best way to block it is? I’m reluctant to use filler, I need a solution which I can remove if need be at a later date.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[thedoctor]

See our project on condensation Kenny. These places were built sensibly with adequate ventilation and very litttle condensation. They may have been a bit colder and draughtier but they stayed (for the most part) rot free....However the vents are a nuicence and if you have trickle vents in your double glaxing and/or can keep a window partially open for a bit to get some air in the room, there is no reason why you cant block it up. The vents were sometimes placed to vent gas fires etc also. Filler can soon be drilled out again if you change your mind.

[kenny888]

Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately I don't have trickle vents in the double glazing and the window does get a lot of condensation in the winter, even with the air brick open as it is now.

I live on a dual carriageway and hence the windows are rarely left open due to the traffic noise.

I'll consider filler, but ideally to block out the noise, I need something cylindrical that will penetrate the brick to the outside for extra soundproofing.

[Perry525]

Hi, if you look on the net, you will see that air bricks with built in noise reduction are available and can be fitted very easily.
The other point, condensation!
Condensation is due to a drop in temperature.
Warm air at 30 degrees C holds 30 grams of water per kilo of air.
As air temperature drops, at 20 C it only holds 17 grams and at zero C its 5 grams.
Your condensation problem can easily be solved by installing an electric fire in the room controlled by a humidistat (make on rise)

[TheDoctor5]

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