missing air-brick causing damp problems in my house....?

Question

Hi,
In my house, on the side elevation, there is a missing air-brick(looks like the metal has just eroded away) at ground level. My house has a slate damp proof course.From ground level there is one row of bricks, then the slate...This missing airbrick is hidden by my bin area and has allowed lots of water and earth(it is at ground level) to get in. This has shown up as damp in the corresponding location inside (damp crumbling plaster just above the skirting board).

From the outside I put my hand in the airbrick space and pulled lots of earth out. It nearly covered the actuall airbrick space! So it looks like when it has been raining water and earth has washed down into the space where the airbrick should've been.

I know I need to replace the airbrick but is it worth pulling up the flooring in the living room aswell?What else should I need to do? I guess that having an airbrick means water can get in anyway...Is the damp problem just due to the lack of air circulation?

Answer 1

First thing to do is to replace the air brick and make good the area around it. Then have a look under the floorboards and see what has gone on under there. It appears that the earth and rubbish under the floor has held the water and it has been unable to evaporate quickly enough. This could have caused the internal damp. Give this a go and see what effect after a few weeks. Best of luck.

Answer 2

It would be worth having the floor up and looking at the condition of the joists. If they are damaged saw off a foot before the damaged area and coach bolt some new treated timbers through. Clear out as much damp material as possible and replace with a higher air brick. Get a free damp test to make sure that your slate DPC hasn't broken down. A cheap job to do yourself, but pricey for a builder to carry out!

Answer 3

the ground outside your house is too high ..there should be a mini mun of TWO bricks clear below damp coarse ..yes fit a new air brick ..it will all so stop vermin .. with all the rain we have had lately the water table has risen ..that wont help ..try lowering the ground level first