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Carpets, Lino & Flooring

Airbricks and concrete floors

Anonymous user 15/03/2024 - 2.51 PM

We have recently discovered, in the home we moved into a few months ago, that there has been top soil added to the side garden which is covering the air bricks. The floors are concrete so we do not understand why there are air bricks there. The air bricks on the other three walls are not obstructed. Should we remove the top soil or would we be ok to leave it where it is? We had planned to take the soil back a couple of inches, lay weed membrane and then cover with gravel or chippings. If we cover the air bricks with mesh would it still be ok to do this? It's possible that the air bricks were there because there used to be a gas fire in the living room but this seems to have long since been removed and there is now an electric fire in the living room.

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

3 Answers

Anonymous user

Air brick could have been part of the fireplace, but more importantly, could have been part of house ventilation, double cavity walls need to breathe so does home. I recommend keeping it unobstructed fit a fly screen and keep it clear. Not just those but around the house. If in doubt, seek advice from your local builder they will be able to answer more accurately by visual inspection

Answered22 September 2019

OJR Building Plumbing Electrical

Rating: 5 out of 5

Lydney

Hi It sounds like the floor is block and beam with a screed on top, you would have a void underneath your house the air bricks are there for ventilating that void. I would remove the soil so the air bricks are visible and stay visible . The ground level outside should be 150 mm lower than finished floor inside the house. Hope this helps. Olly

Answered22 September 2019

Simon Manser Flooring

Rating: 5 out of 5

Uckfield

You could have a vlock and beam constructed subfloor .the air bricks are to allow the air to flow under the floors so that moisture does not collect

Answered11 October 2019