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Which trade to install a wall vent?

6 replies

TheGander · 05/01/2025 15:14

To avoid drip feeding, it’s a rental property and I’m the landlord. One room in particular has had a problem with damp/ condensation and some mould on the external wall. I’d like a vent put in the wall such as one in pics ( which is in the kitchen which never has a mould issue). What trade installs these? Any idea of rough price would be great too. It’s in the south east. Thanks!

Which trade to install a wall vent?
Which trade to install a wall vent?
OP posts:
PigletJohn · 05/01/2025 16:08

Small builder. If it's on the ground floor you won't need scaffold.

Rather than chiselling out bricks, I'd recommend a Core Drill that will make a neat round hole. Start from the outside for undamaged visible brickwork. It will make a messy broken crater on the far side when it breaks through. Decent workmen prevent this by going round to the inside to finish, this is especially important on a cavity wall to reduce rubble falling into the cavity.

The hole should be lined with plastic duct. This is especially important on a cavity wall to prevent damp getting into the cavity.

In a cavity wall, the cavity should be packed with a mineral wool sleeve as soon as the hole is made to prevent rubble or draughts.

The hole should be drilled with a slight slope towards the outside so any rain or condensation will run out.

The builder will suggest a 105mm hole. This is because it is the size used for soil pipes and cheap little fans. But as it is a kitchen I recommend a 150mm hole. Thus will be suitable for a decent size kitchen extractor in future, or a modern cooker hood.

On the outside I recommend a cowl vent which throws off rain and wind and does not rattle annoyingly like the ones with little horizontal flaps.

The core drill is very heavy and powerful. It needs a strong experienced worker standing on a secure platform. It can be hired. Builders and plumbers will have one but possibly not the 150mm core.

A low quality worker will grumble about these points and tell you nobody else bothers about doing a proper job.

PigletJohn · 05/01/2025 16:13

Edit

Oh, I see the kitchen already has one.

105mm will do for any other room except the bathroom.

You will probably be charged for half a day, though it won't take that long.

Have any other holes done at the same time, for example, bathroom extractor, cooker hood, tumble drier, outdoor tap. They will take little extra time once the worker and equipment are on site.

TheGander · 05/01/2025 16:21

Thank you Piglet John that is so helpful. I’ve been playing whack a mole with the damp in that room and I’m hoping a vent will help. However probably done too much googling and some sites say a vent on a cold wall can make matters worse by gathering condensation to itself. It’s west facing so gets sun later in day and I think it’s colder than the kitchen’s external wall. Do you know of cases where a vent has made condensation worse?

OP posts:
Geneticsbunny · 05/01/2025 16:38

I suspect your tennant will just block it up if it makes the room cold. I assume you have checked that the room is well insulated and that it isn't condensation on cold walls or ceiling?

PigletJohn · 05/01/2025 16:42

TheGander · 05/01/2025 16:21

Thank you Piglet John that is so helpful. I’ve been playing whack a mole with the damp in that room and I’m hoping a vent will help. However probably done too much googling and some sites say a vent on a cold wall can make matters worse by gathering condensation to itself. It’s west facing so gets sun later in day and I think it’s colder than the kitchen’s external wall. Do you know of cases where a vent has made condensation worse?

No, ventilation does not make condensation worse.

Some people have an aversion to ventilation. They close windows, turn off fans, block vents, and moan about damp.

TheGander · 05/01/2025 17:21

Yes that can happen. These tenants are quite sensible on the whole.

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