Cavity Walls - ventilation bricks blocked up

[msemma]

My mum's just had cavity wall insulation put in and the people who did it blocked up her ventialtion blocks / air bricks. She has a mid-70s semi, single glazing, one gas fire, no central heating but her hous now stinks to high heaven! Is this going to be a lasting problem or will the smell ease off? Should she have new vents put in for ventiltion?

[Buenchico]

The firm that installed the cavity wall insulation should have checked whether the air bricks had protective collars. As they obviously didn't, they should have fitted collars before proceeding with the work The fact that they didn't means they are guilty of poor workmanship.

You should demand that the guilty firm remedies the problem, at their expense.

Chris

[raysparx1]

These air vents are put in for a reason, they allow the house to breathe, ask them why they blocked them, as Buenchico says get them back straight away, good luck, Ray

[msemma]

Thanks, my mum is going to contact the company who installed it tomorrow. Apparantly they replaced on bolcked up vent with a ventialtion brirck but left 4 blocked up. She had the insulation put in for free as the local council is on an energy saving initiative so she is going to speak to their rep too so hopefully it will get sorted promptly. At least it is the summer and she can keep her windows open!

[msemma]

Update: the people who installed it are coming out to deal with it tomorrow. Result!

[raysparx1]

great news msemma, pity they never did it right to start with, but if they rectify it as you say, result

[scarlets fan]

We are about to have cavity wall insulation installed, and have been told air bricks are not necessary. I have just read your question and answers with interest. I will have a word with the installer before work commences. What was the outcome with you mum's property.

[msemma]

They reopened a couple of the vents!