Insulation

Airbricks - Kitchen is freezing, what can we do?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.55 PM

Hi! We are freezing at home, with our toddler. The cold air is pumping from the kitchen (from behind the cabinetry), which coincidently corresponds to the location of airbricks visible from the outside, that may come into the space between the inner wall and the back of the kitchen cabinets. I suspect one of these is the culprit but we don't know for sure (we don't have access behind the cabinetry to check). We were told plugging airbricks (even temporarily till spring) can cause serious damp issues (we have cavity walls and I think wooden floor underneath the kitchen tiles). So we feel a little stuck, is there anything that can be done? I read about sliding vent covers, 'hit and miss' vent covers, airbrick howls. Can these be fitted on top of airbricks? What would be the risk(s) of fitting these? We live on the first floor of a 1960's flat in South London. Thank you so much for any idea!

Six Star Insulation

Rating: 5 out of 5

5/57 reviews

Birmingham

Hi Sam - It's not a danger to plug up an air vent if you have a decent extractor fan in the kitchen -either over the hob or on the wall. Pay a tiny bit for for a fan with a silicon 'backdraft shutter'. This will prevent the wind from coming in through the extractor fan. Don't be tempted to get a fan with a plastic backdraft shutter as this will make sounds during high winds. You should get a louvered grill externally too. There are external shutter grills but these also flap about and make noises in high winds and the degrade the performance of the airflow. Also, bear in mind that if the air brick is near a boiler then you should seek advice from a gas-safe registered heating engineer. These grills should not be blocked to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. We would always recommend that you get a carbon monoxide monitor for indoors.

Answered24 December 2020

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