Replacing damaged foundation vents

Discussion in 'Repairs & Maintenance' started by robbie_p, 18th Apr, 2016.

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  1. robbie_p

    robbie_p Well-Known Member

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    Hi All,

    I have some damaged foundation vents around my house which need to be replaced (to avoid any creepy crawlies from getting inside).

    The problem is that the current vents were fitted when the bricks of the house were layed. See attached.

    As a make-shift solution, I just attached vents to the face of the current damaged vents (with liquid nails), which I might give a paint to match the colour of the bricks so they not as noticeable. See attached.

    Is there any other way that I could replace these damaged vents?

    Cheers,
    Robbie
     

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  2. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Could you not dig out the mortar and add a new same sized vent? Mortar it back in?
     
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  3. Propertunity

    Propertunity Well-Known Member

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    The vents are not to stop creepy crawlies, they are to provide sub-floor ventilation.

    Yes, Remove the mortar around the damaged vents and replace with new vents and re-mortar back in place.
     
  4. robbie_p

    robbie_p Well-Known Member

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    Dig them out with a hammer and chisel?

    I know the purpose of the vents is for sub-floor ventilation, but we recently had a blue tongue lizard enter through a damaged vent.. the last thing i would want is mice / snakes getting into the walls of the house :)
     
  5. datto

    datto Well-Known Member

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  6. robbie_p

    robbie_p Well-Known Member

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    Can a rotary hammer drill, with a chisel bit, be used to removed mortar around damaged vents?
     
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  7. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    4" ankle grinder with a masonry blade and a dust mask.

    While you're at it get the biggest size possible at least 2 bricks high x 1-2 wide.
     
    Last edited: 18th Apr, 2016
  8. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    There's more than 12 ways to skin a cat ;)
    lumpy and bolster would be my choice, save the environment not using electricity too :D
     
  9. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    The D9 Cat is my tool of choice but it might be a tight squeeze to get it off the float.
     
  10. robbie_p

    robbie_p Well-Known Member

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  11. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: 18th Apr, 2016
  12. Agent99

    Agent99 Well-Known Member

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    I believe C4 could possibly get them all out at once :D
     
  13. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    Cold chisel and hammer, used very delicately and carefully as you can end up dislodging neighbouring bricks.

    Angle grinder will work, but very dusty and be careful not to overshoot the vent into the brickwork.

    Best tool is an arbortech mortar saw if you have any brickie mates - cuts mortar like butter and very precise.
     
  14. datto

    datto Well-Known Member

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    You could use a spoon and pretend you're breaking out of Alcatraz.
     
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  15. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    What are you thinking?
     
  16. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    I like your glued on fix, if they don't fall off, why bugger around ? Keep in mind though you may be restricting the flow quite a bit if the mesh is fine.
     

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