Air brick relocation question.

[dobbslc]

After finally getting the patio paving laid I need to build the step up to the bi-fold doors but there's 3 air bricks right at the level the finished step will be.



The damp proof course is just below the plastic door step and is 150mm above the finished paving.
What's the best way to extend the air bricks out to the front of the step and should I bring the paving right up to the house brickwork or leave a small gap?
Thanks.

 

[123hotchef]

looking good how wide and tall is the step going to be? Can u just leave a void and fit another air brick in the face

 

[dobbslc]

Thanks!
It's been a ball breaker to be honest but just the steps and grouting left to do .
The step is going full with from the cat flap opening on the left to the end of the far right wall.
The problem is that the top of the existing air bricks will be level with where the paving slabs will be so I need to dog leg them down a few inches first.
Nothings ever easy!

 

[123hotchef]

how far dog leged down?

they sell things for that

like this

 

[123hotchef]

or just use some upv channel mabe?

 

[dobbslc]

I've seen them ^ but it's way to big. I might just try a length of duct angled down and butted up against them.

 

[RonA]

When we had our attached conservatory built on the side of the house, the builders set some rectangular plastic tubes from the air bricks in the house to the outside base brick work of the conservatory which had a corresponding air brick set in it. The base was completed with concrete, with the plastic tubes set in it
RonA

 

[Gritineye]

Are you slabbing the top of the step? if so build the brickwork to raise the step like a box with a gap between it and the wall.
The slabs can overhang that gap to meet the house wall and there will be plenty of airflow under them.
Leaving small gap at the cat flap end will help too.

 

[123hotchef]

I've seen them ^ but it's way to big. I might just try a length of duct angled down and butted up against them.

silicon the channel to the air brick maybe

 

[dobbslc]

When we had our attached conservatory built on the side of the house, the builders set some rectangular plastic tubes from the air bricks in the house to the outside base brick work of the conservatory which had a corresponding air brick set in it. The base was completed with concrete, with the plastic tubes set in it
RonA

That's exactly what the builders did when they built the extension! Those air bricks are the extended ones.

Are you slabbing the top of the step? if so build the brickwork to raise the step like a box with a gap between it and the wall.
The slabs can overhang that gap to meet the house wall and there will be plenty of airflow under them.
Leaving small gap at the cat flap end will help too.

I had thought of that but wasn't sure if it would allow enough airflow.
I'll have another think on that as it will be pretty simple to do.

 

[Gritineye]

The amount of airflow is related to how the wind blows around and over your house, as this usually can change hourly from gale force to nothing it will average out enough to clear condensation from under your floor, which is all you need.

 

[dobbslc]

The gap behind the bricks can act as a mouse run to keep the cat happy too!

 

[gaz1]

After finally getting the patio paving laid I need to build the step up to the bi-fold doors but there's 3 air bricks right at the level the finished step will be.

so its one step up and in your doors as it wont be

as its a 2 step area what will happen is one step up stand on the plastic frame and enter 3 steps

The damp proof course is just below the plastic door step and is 150mm above the finished paving.

What's the best way to extend the air bricks out to the front of the step and should I bring the paving right up to the house brickwork or leave a small gap?
Thanks.

if you are considering a 2 step fit a gutter at rear of the step you need the flag to lip over the gutter this is to catch any water that is blown over the step towards the house

extend your air bricks to the front by using rectangle ducting

you want the black part

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[gaz1]

as from the look of it yours is about 7" high step so can be made as one step

50mm red bricks +3/4" for cement pointing

as an alternative you can extend those air bricks downwards by extending your step outwards

fill the step with pebbles fit the front level with alternative air bricks on the step bottem and use it like a french drain as long as the step stone is put under the plastic frame it should drain well

 

[Gragson]

This isn't stepped but it's how we slabbed on our extension 12 years ago, 4" x 4" gully with pebbles

 

[atomant48]

Use decking?

edit sorry just noticed your second pic you’ve already started.

 

[dobbslc]

Had decking on the last place and although great to start with was a bloody mess when we moved.

 

[dobbslc]

The step will be 900mm deep from the house so I need to make a small wall and fill with hardcore before fitting the slabs.

 

[gaz1]

you need something like this for a french step reference

front wall and rear wall so the pavers can sit on them solid, the rear wall is only there for support of the pavers and also beding material (cement)

purple is your air brick

blue is cement but can crack at rear of it

light blue is your pvc door sill and door

your only going under the sill enough but a light tap at front end will allow the water to run forward

the rest just fill it with pebbles 20mm

but dont forget to fit extra air bricks at the front so the water can get out and keep the pebles within