What can we do about these vents?

[Redtreble]

Hi folks. Hoping to get some advice. We've recently moved into a 1950's semi and there's quite a few vents all over the house. They're mostly totally painted over and impossible to close (not all of them even have a handle anyway). The problem is is that the house is bloody freezing most of the time and it's as a direct result of the vents. They allow for a terrible draft.

My question is, what can we do about it? I get that they serve a purpose, although of course the house has been modernised since it was originally built and runs on modern central heating now, not a coal fire. So are they still necessary to prevent damp build up? Is there an alternative we could install? Can we just get rid of them? If the solution requires a tradesman, what kind of tradesman would you suggest?

Open to any and all suggestions! TIA.

 

[foxhole]

Replace with hit and miss vents giving you option to close .

 

[mattylad]

Also realiz that if you do close them all, yes damp problems can occur more.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Hi folks. Hoping to get some advice. We've recently moved into a 1950's semi and there's quite a few vents all over the house. They're mostly totally painted over and impossible to close (not all of them even have a handle anyway). The problem is is that the house is bloody freezing most of the time and it's as a direct result of the vents. They allow for a terrible draft.

In a house converted to modern standards, they are unnecessary. Converted as in CH system, no open fires, no drying of washing in the house and forced ventilation (extract) in rooms like bathrooms which generate moisture, cooker hood and lids on pans when cooking, cavity walls with CWI if suitable.

My home is also a 1950's semi, which had lots of those vents and refurbed in the mid 80's. All of those vents were removed and bricked up, properly - it made a massive difference to the comfort levels and running cost of the CH.

 

[Redtreble]

Thanks for the replies folks, most appreciated.