Should I seal off my air bricks?

[djmagnifique]

The house I live in was built in the 70's and has 2 air bricks in the kitchen wall. originally when the house was built it had a warm air heating system that was positioned at the opposite side end of the kitchen diagonally from the air bricks. About 10 years ago the council replaced the heating system with a combi boiler which was positioned above the air bricks and the pipework runs across them.

With the recent bad weather i've experienced frozen pipes which prevented me from having any hot water to the house or any cold water upstairs. The cold tap in the kitchen did work fine while the pipes were frozen (the stop cock is located below the cold tap).

I have also noticed frost forming on the wall outside around the air bricks but not where the sink is.

I'm planning to lag the pipes when I can afford it and the only gas appliances I have are the boiler and a gas cooker.

would it be ok to block the air bricks for the time being with something (maybe foil covered plywood) or should I wrap some old towels around the pipes?

Cheers.

 

[onlyfitidealboilers]

as long as its not an open flued combi, no problem.

does the flue pipe go straight out the wall?

 

[djmagnifique]

Yes, the flue pipe comes out the top of the boiler and through the wall.

What would you surget I use to block the air brick with?

 

[JonB]

My neighbour has blocked a couple of air bricks with clear silicon mastic.
JonB

 

[PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN]

Is the flue outlet right next to the airbrick ? what is the size of the kitchen in cubic meters ?, is there an openable window to outside ? is there a door to outside ?

 

[ajrobb]

If the council still own the property, I suggest you contact them as the boiler installation is obviously wrong. In the meantime, any dry lagging (your old towels suggestion) will help you through the cold weather and holiday season. Make sure they stay dry though.

As you have a gas cooker, there might be some ventilation required. I suspect that is what pedanticvindictiveman is asking about.