BURST PIPES...5 air bricks

ran123ran_2

Is there a connection between recurrent burst/frozen pipes and 5 air bricks around a room 1.5m by 2.5m?

The room has 3 external walls and pitched roof....it has 5 airbricks around 3 walls...2 each on the longer walls and 1 on the narrow wall.

In these freezing temperatures in recent weeks the pipes to radiator burst in 3 places under the floorboards (within 2 feet of the radiator). Radiator itself had also burst....its placed on an outside wall (but obviously inside the house).

BG homecare came & fixed the burst pipes and replaced radiaotor last week.

This week again we have frozen pipes to radiator & therefore no heat in room as radiator also frozen.....using electric heater to get by.

Can we cover these air bricks?

Is 5 not too many for the size of room?

aboard_epsilon

depends weather you have any gas appliances that need air vents ..
modern condensing boilers don't need them .

if it is found that you don't need them ..you can buy "hit and miss" air vent covers for them ..that can be open or closed when you so desire...in other words you will be monitoring any dampness that may occur yourself ..and closing them when you feel it fits to do so.



all the best.markj

Swipe

I'd certainly block them off during these cold temps but be sure to open them back up once it turns mild.

ran123ran_2

its a utility room coming off the kitchen and there are no gas appliances in this room....just sink, tumble dryer & washing machine....the room has 1 window and 1 external door to garden....and this room is always cold.....

the airbricks look different to the picture shown above....they are actually like a brick but with holes in them....a bit like a potatoe waffle.....not sure if i'm using the correct term if thats what an airbrick looks like

aboard_epsilon

the pic above is of a plastic fitment that you fit over the air bricks ..

the fitting has a lever that moves shutters to cover or uncover the air coming through the air brick .

the fitment has four holes, one at each corner for screws ..so it can be fitted over the air brick.

all the best.markj

ran123ran_2

making sense now that i study picture closer

aboard_epsilon

more info ..

you may like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwlWcbFiUfQ

all the best.markj

ormus

most rooms only need one airbrick at best.
id be happy to brick up the other four. at least.

vaio

Sounds like they are air bricks to ventilate an underfloor space so I'd be wary about blocking them.

Insulating the pipes might be a good idea, what controls the rad? Has it got a TRV?

ormus

from the OP post, it sounds like they are in the room, not below the DPC.

vaio

to me it sounded like they were for underfloor ventilation

maybe the OP will return and clarify