Damp/Airbrick question, with photo

[damo2576]

Hi,
I have a damp patch rising up a wall in one room. Directly outside is the air brick below.
You can see that its effectively at ground level and I wondered if this was correct - I imagine they should be higher and I believe the ground was brought up around it.
I think water is going in through the bottom holes in the air brick. How best to remedy if this is unusual? I thought about blocking it all up or perhaps just the bottom holes?
Thanks in advance.

 

[homefromhell]

simply dig out until the ground is lower.

 

[expertgasman]

Does the vent go through the wall above or below ground level?

 

[damo2576]

Hi,
Just measured levels and the vent is about 4 inches below the level of the interior floor.

 

[damo2576]

Just in case it's not obvious from the picture - that is concrete under the gravel!

 

[homefromhell]

Hi,
Just measured levels and the vent is about 4 inches below the level of the interior floor.

I had this same problem when i moved into my property. The vent was just under floorboards and on the outside someone had raised the ground level, so the vent was only half visible. I was getting damp problems, so i reduced the ground level so that the vent was fully visible and any rainwater would also be kept out.

My advice is for you to reduce the ground level like i did and possibly you may need a damp course too.

 

[tim00]

1. dont ever block or remove an air-brick, esp. in older property.
2. where is the DPC ( if there is one ) in relation to the lowest part of your timber floor joisting?
3. is this a 9" solid wall?
4. you might, as has been suggested, have to install a perimeter drain to re-direct water from the building.
5. air-bricks are to provide ventilation not to stop damp.
4.