covering up air vents

flashy · 03-01-2010, 09:21

ok i know air vents are there for a reason but i've got one here that is making my living room freezing (especially being sat under it on the pc) its as if i've got a window open, is it ok to cover it up?

shillelagh · 03-01-2010, 09:47

When i covered mine with a piece of paper the british gas engineer told me off. Theyre there for a reason i got told and not to cover it up again. Which i havent done since.

flashy · 03-01-2010, 09:49

jaysay · 03-01-2010, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashy

ok i know air vents are there for a reason but i've got one here that is making my living room freezing (especially being sat under it on the pc) its as if i've got a window open, is it ok to cover it up?

Never ever cover air vents up shaz, they are there for a reason, if under floor it they stop things like Dry Rot, which believe me is a very expensive exercise to get rid of

wadey · 03-01-2010, 11:14

Do NOT block them if you have a gas or solid fuel fire

MargaretR · 03-01-2010, 11:22

My windows have 'trickle vents' - some can be shut and some can't.
The ones that can't, I blocked with polystyrene foam.
I choose the time when windows are open for an air change -midday when the temp is at its best.
It is important to ventilate rooms that have gas appliances, because they use up oxygen in the burning.

If I was in your shoes I would block that vent - but ensure your own safety by changing the air in the room for half an hour every day - and get a carbon monoxide detector

Less · 03-01-2010, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

If I was in your shoes I would block that vent - but ensure your own safety by changing the air in the room for half an hour every day - and get a carbon monoxide detector

Do Not Try This At Home, Or Anywhere Else That You Wish To Survive In!

Of all the stupid advice I've ever seen on accyweb, (Goes away muttering and coughing to himself as the carbon monoxide builds up to the same dangerous level as in another members home!).

Neil · 03-01-2010, 11:35

Shaz, ask our resident gas engineer Derek and take his advice, the rest of us are only guessing.

I have no such vents anywhere in my old house but it is draughty enough anyway. The gas fire is never off during the day on the living room trying to combat the heat loss through the old original bay window.

cashman · 03-01-2010, 12:08

people guessing or not, it aint rocket science- vent means ventilation simple as, block em means No Ventilation.

flashy · 03-01-2010, 12:15

right i have the vents in the windows too which seem to get stuck on 'open' not long after we had new windows put in so there is air constantly coming into and going out of the room....where's Derek when i need him? i won't block it till i know for sure that it will be safe

Benipete · 03-01-2010, 12:16

Until you find out for CERTAIN what It's purpose is I would leave it open.I can't remember a case of people dying from an open vent.But a closed one that needs to be open is very dangerous and can be fatal.

flashy · 03-01-2010, 12:20

cheers everyone

MargaretR · 03-01-2010, 12:22

Many air bricks above floor level were installed to circulate air in the cavity.
After cavity wall insulation is installed, their purpose is gone.
They may well be needed if you never have the sense to open windows on a regular daily basis.
I sit here now at midday with all windows open.

Neil · 03-01-2010, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashy

right i have the vents in the windows too which seem to get stuck on 'open' not long after we had new windows put in so there is air constantly coming into and going out of the room....where's Derek when i need him? i won't block it till i know for sure that it will be safe

They probably fitted windows with trickle vents as standard. You may find that they are sufficient and you don't need the other ones any more. Were your windows recently fitted?

flashy · 03-01-2010, 12:27

about 6 years ago Neil