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To Block or Not Block

Answered Thursday 7 June 2012 |

QuestionAsk Cherie

I would love some advice to either block our air vents per room of our house before we renovate or to leave them alone. Thank You

Answer

Hi Kellie, Unless the vents are really unsightly, I'd leave them where they are. The vents were put in for the purpose of venting air and this is a good thing in homes, even today. Happy renovating! Cherie :) Cherie Barber Renovations Expert

What do you think?

DIYAssist_Adam June 2012

Hi Kellie,
realistically, whether you decide to keep air vents or remove them depends on a number of issues. Cherie has rightly indicated leaving them alone unless unsightly. However, i would also like to suggest that there is more to this than just aesthetics. Are they actually functioning vents? if they are on external walls which have been reclad on the exterior, then i you can almost certainly guarantee they are not functioning vents and do absolutely nothing for ventilation. Furthermore, if the house is an old one which once was clad with asbestos, you may find that to be another reason for closing them off. Many removations in the past simply reclad over the top of the old asbestos leaving it in place. i personally do not like the idea of the wall vents being expposed to the wall cavity containing remnants of old absetos cladding and or dust still contained within the wall cavity. These days ventillation systems are more likely to contain ducting to the "outside" so this is not ever an issue.
hope this is of help
kind regards
DIYAssist_Adam

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