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juco · Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 59 Location: scotland

60 year old house had originally a coal fire now a gas fire where the coal fire used to be. Also has gas central heating and single glaze windows.
On strippping the wallpaper I have discovered two vents in one room, one internal which comes off the chimney stack and just above floor level and I think to originally vent heat to the upstairs bedroom. The other vent to an outside wall, just below ceiling level so possibly was for air circulation.
The other bedroom has a vent just above floor level again off the chimney stack, not discovered another yet as there might be one at ceiling level to outside wall.
All the vents were stuffed with paper and just wallpapered over.
My question....Do I plaster over and seal or put a vent grill over them?
Thinking in terms of air circulation/dampness/condensation.
there are no known current dampness problems.

thanks

vince knight · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

The one that is in the chimney breast should stay if the fireplace has been bricked up to allow the stack to breath.

Vince

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4487 Location: Bath

If the ones in the chimney are the same as the gas fire they should be sealed properly.

The gas fire should have room ventilation to atmosphere, but not through the chimney.

The boiler may also require ventilation, what is the make and model of the boiler and the fire

juco · Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 59 Location: scotland

I am not sure of the make of the gas fire but it does appear to be vented via the chimney. the plumber/gas (corgi) who will be doing the certification reckons it has the necessary cap on the chimney but will be double checking in he new year.
The gas boiler is vented to the outside it is the combi type.
I will in the new year be getting a gas certificate for rental purposes so all should be double checked then.