Another house question
Posted by: Fisbey on 05 January 2007
Apart from a 'mossy' roof, I have question with regard to 'grilles' on the front of my house. I'm told they were originally there as vents for gas fires. Most houses in the street don't have them - probably removed and covered over. Mine appear to have been filled in from the inside - would it be OK to take the grilles off and make good the outside? I'm sure they don't do too much apart from maybe letting damp in....
Posted on: 05 January 2007 by i am simon 2
Assuming what you have been told is correct and they no longer serve any usefull purpose I would have thought that removing them is ok. Make sure that they have been sealed and that you do not require the ventalation, because even if you no longer have a gas fire, you do not too much condensation on the windows etc from lack of ventilation.
If the external grilles are a period feature and attractive in design, make sure you are not in a conservation area, otherwise you ought to check with the local planning officer before removing them. (I doubt this will be the case).
Make sure you are happy that the making good will not stand out too much from the original decoration as to look worse than when you started!
Kind regards
Simon
Posted on: 05 January 2007 by full ahead
Before you block or remove the grilles,make sure they're not there to let damp out.They may have been put there to counteract excessive water coming down the cavity.If it can't get out,it will come in.
George
Posted on: 05 January 2007 by Rasher
You are required to have an air supply for an open fire (I think), but the ventilators are there to keep air moving and to reduce condensation in stagnant areas. You should keep them, especially in kitchen & bathrooms.
Posted on: 05 January 2007 by Fisbey
Rasher I think you may be right, however I'll talk to some neighbours and see what they say.
It is rather strange that the roome where they are blocked seem a bit 'claggy'.....
