Hi, Just bought a new house and discovered that the exterior vents have below ground level have been filled with silicone sealant. Looks like it will be easy enough to remove. Should I? Is it better for the house? I know they have installed cavity wall insulation in 2003 and assume it has something to do with that? Are there likely to have been any side effects in the years following? It does have a tendency to condensate but mostly upstairs - these vents definitely have an air flow. Any advice much appreciated.
Yes. You need to allow air flow under the floor, which most likely supended (block & beam), otherwise you likely to get damp.
Sounds like by your description these should have been shrouded when the cavity wall insulation was fitted, air flow is provided by blocking the cavity around the vent by what looks like a large bottle brush. Call out the installer to check that it has been correctly installed, should be covered by a 15-25 year warranty. The air bricks are replaced for access during preparation prior to filling cavity
Air bricks below DPC level are below the level of filling for cavity wall insulation so blocking them would not be required. These bricks are to provide through flow ventilation below a suspended timber floor to remove condensation and avoid the onset of rot. Remove the silicone to let the void breathe
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