Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    brisbane
    Posts
    22

    Question Advice on brick moisture vents

    I am wondering if there is any restrictions in moving brick vents. I know they are installed to allow the house to breathe and moisture to escape.

    My house is a brick veneer and before I bought it there had been concrete paths installed against the walls. The vents are only about 15mm above the paths in places.
    I have seen in a few storms that the water tends to get quite deep near these vents I am worried that the water might flow down into my wall cavities which would be a big no no.

    I think my only choices are to 1.move the vents,2. grind the concrete or 3.rip up the paths and start again. #2 + #3 are options I dont want to think about due to the cost involved...

    Any ideas?

    Shane.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Behind that little door under the thicknesser...
    Posts
    44

    Default

    Do you know if the vents or (more importantly) the path is above or below your run of dampcourse? If the path is above the dampcourse then you have a problem with or without the vents.

    If you can then what about removing the 4" or so of the path closest to the wall and replace with a covered channel drain. Yes, it probably won't be cheap to buy the drain but it'll probably fix the problem......
    Ours is not to reason why.....only to point and giggle.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    .
    Posts
    4,816

    Default

    Most vents sit on the footing which is where the DPC is.
    I say most as I have seen a few below the DPC.
    Moving the vents is no big issue, if you get under a house with vents in it, you will be suprised by the gale force wind under the house.

    Al

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Strzelecki Ranges Victoria
    Posts
    395

    Default

    Shane if it's brick veneer construction then there shouldn't be a 'cavity' at that point. If there is water ponding under the subfloor area it's not real good for the footings or the possibility of rot if the space is low to the ground. [although that's the idea of the vents to circulate the air]
    If the concrete path is also directing the water down the outside face of the bricks to the footings that's not real cocha either - the path should slope [slightly] away from the building.
    Peter Clarkson

    www.ausdesign.com.au

    This information is intended to provide general information only.
    It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    brisbane
    Posts
    22

    Default

    Thanks for the replys guys.
    The dampcourse is at the bottom of the vents.
    In some places the bottom of the vents are at the same level as the top of the concrete.
    It is going to be a hard job (properly) to fix as the path is butted up to the house and butts up to my fenceline which just happens to be a retaining wall.(im on the low side) I will move the brick vents up to stop most of the water and I think I will have to bite the bullet and rip up the concrete and relay it in a year or so. Angling the concrete away from the house is not really going to work as it is not flat - has quite a few areas where the water pools and also runs back towards the house.
    Is a pain but I will just add it to the never ending list of jobs keeping me out of the shed.

    Shane.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    vic
    Posts
    174

    Default

    If your floor joists run parallel to the conc path then you wanna keep them below the joist height or they will be blocked by the joists. You may be able to block them up if you can increase the amount in other areas. Attached townhouses etc will only usually have them front and back.

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 16th November 2006, 04:28 PM
  2. brick pointing advice needed.
    By Donno in forum BRICKWORK
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 8th September 2006, 08:41 PM
  3. wall vents
    By rscho in forum PLASTERING
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 1st June 2006, 11:38 PM
  4. Advice on internal brick wall
    By Mowy in forum BRICKWORK
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 13th November 2004, 10:40 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •