Upvc trickle vents

DPR87

Hi all, 
Looking to replace the trickle vents on a few windows in the house as they seem to have failed. I can't find any with the same length screw width. Is it just a simple task to drill new holes on the frame and fix the new ones or is there more to it or anything I need to be wary of.

Thanks in advance

theonlywayisup

When you say they have failed, what do you mean.  They quite literally are holes cut in the window frame with a cover outside and inside - that's the brash explanation but you should be able to take off the outside vent/grill and clean it.  The internal shouldn't really be dirty but may have flies in them.

DPR87

I took it off to check and cleaned them out but it still wouldn't close firmly. There was little plastic thing at the end on the inside which has snapped. Seems like this part helps open and close it? . Same problem on another window. 

Rodders53

Keep searching for ones like the originals there are many suppliers out there, but of course you can just fit alternatives with new screw holes to cover the existing arrangement.
They are simply covers which open and close to suit your need for ventilation (or lack of draughts).

tinyangel

Sounds like the clip has snapped, really easy to replace the vent. Try www.titon.com/uk as they have lots of cheap vents and all sizes abd measuring guides. There's an online shop too www.titondirect.co.uk

greenface2

there are a lot of suppliers of trickle vents for pvcu windows . If you over sized them by 100 mm it would cover the screw holes just make new ones  . Get the sliding open close system and it wouldn't need to flap open inside into any space . Try northwest hardware on tinternet . 

Tucker

DPR87 said:

I took it off to check and cleaned them out but it still wouldn't close firmly. There was little plastic thing at the end on the inside which has snapped. Seems like this part helps open and close it? . Same problem on another window. 

They are meant to be open, so not sure what closing them firmly would achieve. 
I know in some instances - rented properties, landlords have been know to snap the closure tab off deliberately to make sure they are left open to do their job and prevent mould and condensation. 
If you want them closed, you may as well glue some matching UPVC plastic trim over the hole and screw holes.  

coffeehound

Tucker said:
They are meant to be open, so not sure what closing them firmly would achieve. 

I know in some instances - rented properties, landlords have been know to snap the closure tab off deliberately to make sure they are left open to do their job and prevent mould and condensation. 
If you want them closed, you may as well glue some matching UPVC plastic trim over the hole and screw holes.  

It's not true that vents must be open all the time.  Having just one trickle vent open can drop the temperature of a room quickly on a cold windy day.  Having every one in the house open all the time would be ridiculously cold and draughty and cost a spare limb in heating.  Mould avoidance requires a balance of heating and ventilation.

joe90mitch

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but we moved into a new house recently and on the back patio door there's a trickle vent on the inside, whereas on the outside it's obviously fallen off at some point in the past and it's just the vent holes and the two screw holes.

Any harm in leaving it like that on the outside? Or are there potential issues with rain ingress and we should sort a replacement vent?

knightstyle

One of the first things I did in our new build some years ago was to remove these vents, tape over the holes and replace them.  After a few months all our neighbours had black streaks across their ceilings from their vents and cold draughts forcing the way in even when they were closed.  
No we never had any mould problems and several neighbours copied our idea.

Torry_Quine

My vents are permanently open. If I wanted to close them it would mean climbing up as I can't reach otherwise. 
I certainly don't have excessive bills and I'm on the east coast of Scotland.