Vents in 'thick' skirting board...

Fevvahz

Hello,

I'm in the process of purchasing a house built in 1928, and in the back bedroom upstairs, and the bathroom (also at the back of the house) the skirting boards are 3-4" deep, as if they're boxed in sections, and the skirting face has vents in. I understand the walls are solid - is this some sort of original standard ventilation?

ormus

ive never seen it.
maybe they are vents for some hot pipes inside. primitive CH?
ive seen those before now.

Fevvahz

I'd post some links, but being a n00b, the forum wont let me (in case I'm a spammer). Thats a good point, theres a back boiler still in the back room behind the fireplace, and it *could* be a route to the bathroom I suppose! Although it definitely has no central heating - currently has storage heaters.

phill99

If the vent is in front of a boxed in fire place, the explanation may be simple.

It sounds like the depth of the skirting is to allow for boxing in of pipe work. But also, if a chimney has been blocked in, it needs ventilation. It looks like someone has boxed in pipework and put a vent in the front of the skirting. You will probably find there is a corresponding vent / hole in the wall behind the vent to allow for circulation of air into the chimney.

Fevvahz

Its not in front of the fireplace no - the fireplace is downstairs, on the adjoining wall to the neighbours (its a semi detached house), and the skirting is normal downstairs, its just the skirting along the back of the back bedroom upstairs, and along the same wall in the bathroom.

EDIT: Ive just had another look, and it could very well be the boxed in pipes - as the section between the chimney breast and the back wall of the house has boxed in skirting too.

wallbash

A picture is worth a thousand words , post piccy on your ! blog
Then we can visit!

Fevvahz

Good point wallbash! Posted on my blog (see my sig). What do you think?

wallbash

Very old vents would be useless for heating , so I'm sticking my head out and saying some sort of ventilation.

Would be ripping off to find out .


Or closing vent .... and sorting when I redecorate in the the future!

wallbash

Wallbash has man flu any comments are not of normal high standard!

Fevvahz

Aye, well the house will get decorated sooner rather than later, the former occupant has rather differing... tastes than I do. Thanks for posting the link Wallbash!

phill99

Is there a gas fire in the room or has there been one?

If so you may find its the ventilation for that. Are there corresponding air beicks on the outside walls?