DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

The idiot of a builder I used to build my extension forgot to put in air bricks and the council inspector didnt notice. Having seen the problem I immediately called the inspector who has since said he had asked air bricks to be put in! The builder's now done a runner and i'm left with this problem - I cant ignore it or else the floor will go.

My problem is the external yard floor is at the same level as where the proposed air bricks will need to go so a gulley or something will need to be made (?)

My questions are:

1. Instead of inserting normal air bricks is there a substitute that can be used (that would make the job easier?)

2. Instead of air bricks can holes simply be drilled into the outer rendered wall (behind which I believe are thermalite blocks)

3. Any other ideas??

Cheers to anyone who can help someone at their wits ends!

Air bricks are only required if the ground floor is suspended, ie concrete or timber.

There are no real substitutes for proper air bricks. Given the situation you have presented, it sounds like the only rear solution is to install brick sized teracotta airbricks to the wall, one to the outerskin and one to the inner. You will need to place the correctly so as to avoid any future damp problems if they are installed incorrectly.

The alternative is a long term condensation issue which you do not want.