Q Air bricks in the wall: should I keep them or remove them?
There are typically three possible reasons for an air brick: to ventilate the space beneath a suspended timber floor, to ventilate the cavity in the wall, or to provide sufficient air to feed a fire or boiler.
Providing ventilation to the underside of a timber floor is essential as it allows that space to remain dry and prevents dry rot becoming established. In that case the air brick must be retained and it must be kept clean and clear of debris. If insulation is installed under the floor - always a good idea - it is important to ensure that it does not block the air bricks. It’s also key that the insulation leaves at least 50mm of the floor joist exposed to that circulating air.