Blocking a Vent/Reducing Heat Loss

fartingspartan · 13 Nov 2017 at 10:06

Hi All,

Long story short - bought a project a few years ago, job changes etc meant it was done very sporadically as funds allowed etc

FW two years and its complete and moving in to it now.

Old setup was a back boiler in lounge that was located behind gas fire - all this was taken out and replaced with a Combi in a different location (under stair cupboard)

Anyway - The lounge seems to struggle to hold heat even though radiators are roasting warm and it then dawned on me that there was an old vent in the wall (next to window) that was there for ventilation due to old gas fire/back boiler.

The guys doing the plaster boarding seem to have just put a board over the top of the vent - hence that wall is cold to touch.

given it was a mix of dott & Dab and struts I am thinking behind the board there is just cold air/a draft.

Below if a picture of the vent.

Am I ok to have this removed then bricked up?

SPG · 13 Nov 2017 at 13:28

Get a thick bit of MDF, paint it up and cover it up. use some no nails or expanding foam to get a good seal, see how that feels for a month.

If it makes a difference and you are not all dead from a build up of carbon monoxide, thjen brick the bad boy up.

Psycho Sonny · 13 Nov 2017 at 13:39

should there not be insulation in between the bricks and plasterboard?

fartingspartan · 13 Nov 2017 at 14:18

Haha, Thanks. I am not concerned about the CO2 stuff as there is no CO2 source in that room now - its more the damp protection or air flow that it may be also providing etc.

a1ex2001 · 13 Nov 2017 at 14:27

as suggested above cover it up and see if that improves things cheaper than getting someone to do it nicely and you'll know if it is worth it

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 13 Nov 2017 at 14:53

From reading the OP it sounds like its already boarded up by the plaster boarders?

So your looking at 2 options, poor insulation and /or drafts

Drafts are hard to pin down, but on a windy day you should be able to use something very light to help you detect them, round the bottom of skirtings is often a source as you will probably have air bricks allowing air underneath, or if a solid floor then the floor could be cold, lacking insulation. (Carpets everyone seems to have moved way from was partly there for the insulation!)
Then its insulation, harder to track this down, you can get thermo guns but I have never seen them cheap that allow you to measure the heat/cold.

fartingspartan · 13 Nov 2017 at 16:25

Hi, I was presuming you meant board over the outside as yes, internally it has been boarded/plastered over.

Behind the wall is breeze block, then behind that is the outside brick - Insulation on this wall wasn't there as its 90% Glass - Big floor to ceiling window with brick on either side - curtains in front of window made big difference but still feel like the hole in the wall may be sending cold air around behind the plaster board of the rest of the room (internal walls) or letting heat out.

samcat · 13 Nov 2017 at 16:35

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
F

Drafts are hard to pin down, but on a windy day you should be able to use something very light to help you detect them, round the bottom of skirtings is often a source as you will probably have air bricks allowing air underneath, or if a solid floor then the floor could be cold, lacking insulation. (Carpets everyone seems to have moved way from was partly there for the insulation!)
Then its insulation, harder to track this down, you can get thermo guns but I have never seen them cheap that allow you to measure the heat/cold.

Incense sticks are great for this. best done when house is quiet/minimal people about and its a bit windy out. Shut everything that would normally be shut and wander around with your incense stick, pause at each spot and watch the smoke. It should rise straight up.
Around windows / doors is a prime spot, sometimes the seals fail/get damaged. Then around the loft hatch etc... Basically start with anywhere that there is a potential opening.

Next bit is hard, start looking at where the smoke is moving away from and move towards it. With a bit of practice you will get it, this should start giving you clues as to where the cold is getting in.

Another good (really good) option is a FLIR camera, hire one, borrow one or buy one (second hand, sell again after your done). Crack the heating up high on a cold breezy day, This will give you a thermal image in real time so you can look around and identify leaks, drafts and you can even point at the ceilings/walls and see gaps in the insulation. do it inside, take a zillion pics/notes, then go outside and look for hot spots (where heat is leaking out).

Good luck!

With that air brick, tape/block it from the outside.. The cold air leaking in to the plasterboard inside will create a cold surface which will be a challenge to warm.