ᐅ Ventilation duct installed too low in the splash water zone
Created on: 2 Mar 2018 14:00
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planlos1234
Hello,
I hope you can help me, as I have very limited knowledge in construction!
I moved into my newly built house last autumn and have been wondering from the start about the height of the ventilation shaft for the kitchen extractor fan, which was only slightly above ground level before the driveway was paved. When the driveway was paved in autumn, if the workers hadn’t been careful, the ventilation shaft would have been buried halfway below ground level.
Since the area around the base is exposed to the most stress, including moisture, I’m worried that water might enter my house through the shaft, especially during heavy rain. According to my installer, everything is fine. However, a colleague at work who is not a professional suggested that the shaft should be installed at least 30 cm (12 inches) above ground level.
Is the shaft installed too low, or should the installer have chosen a different height? What should I do in case of water damage?
I look forward to your answers!
I hope you can help me, as I have very limited knowledge in construction!
I moved into my newly built house last autumn and have been wondering from the start about the height of the ventilation shaft for the kitchen extractor fan, which was only slightly above ground level before the driveway was paved. When the driveway was paved in autumn, if the workers hadn’t been careful, the ventilation shaft would have been buried halfway below ground level.
Since the area around the base is exposed to the most stress, including moisture, I’m worried that water might enter my house through the shaft, especially during heavy rain. According to my installer, everything is fine. However, a colleague at work who is not a professional suggested that the shaft should be installed at least 30 cm (12 inches) above ground level.
Is the shaft installed too low, or should the installer have chosen a different height? What should I do in case of water damage?
I look forward to your answers!
Hello!
OMG.....!
This is a complete mess, and what a mess it is... You can clearly see that there is a nice depression in front of the air vent where water collects. If the photo is not misleading, your air vent will actually function as a yard drain!
To make the botched work even worse, the entire exterior wall has been paved with asphalt. Who came up with that idea? The entire gravel strip (drainage area) is missing, so you have a high chance that the house wall will rot because water is being directed right onto the wall and then seeps into it.
Something absolutely must be done! Otherwise, water damage is inevitable. Since you have already accepted it, you will probably have to cover the cost of repairs yourself. A building inspector could have saved you a lot of money.
Best regards,
Andreas
OMG.....!
This is a complete mess, and what a mess it is... You can clearly see that there is a nice depression in front of the air vent where water collects. If the photo is not misleading, your air vent will actually function as a yard drain!
To make the botched work even worse, the entire exterior wall has been paved with asphalt. Who came up with that idea? The entire gravel strip (drainage area) is missing, so you have a high chance that the house wall will rot because water is being directed right onto the wall and then seeps into it.
Something absolutely must be done! Otherwise, water damage is inevitable. Since you have already accepted it, you will probably have to cover the cost of repairs yourself. A building inspector could have saved you a lot of money.
Best regards,
Andreas
For issues like this, (A**) offers a ventilation shaft without a bottom. It looks like a small light well, allowing any water that enters to drain downwards. Dimensions are approximately 40 x 25 cm (16 x 10 inches). You could have installed the exhaust pipe a bit lower and positioned the shaft itself 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) lower than the UK pipe. That’s how I built the air supply for my pantry.
Regarding asphalt right up to the wall, everything has already been said... Remove it and install a gravel drip edge, either with or without drainage.
Regarding asphalt right up to the wall, everything has already been said... Remove it and install a gravel drip edge, either with or without drainage.
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Baumfachmann5 Mar 2018 12:30What a mess. This should be fixed.
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planlos12347 Mar 2018 06:22First of all, thank you for your contributions!
@Bieber0815
The plans were prepared by an architect who visited the construction site several times; however, no expert consultant was involved.
@andimann
The asphalt company had to lower the asphalt level around the shaft because otherwise one-third of the shaft would have been below ground level. It might look different in the photo, but water does not pool here and flows downward.
@andimann&Domski
The missing gravel gutter was recommended by a structural engineer (who also installed one at his own house) because with the slope and canopy, water is supposed to be directed away from the house. I simply trusted this advice.
I am meeting with the installation company this week. I don’t expect them to change their position since in the last discussion they also referred to the canopy and slope as measures that should prevent water from entering the house. We are supposed to receive a new cover for the shaft to protect against pests (the current ones do not fit at all).
Our construction company said that this cannot really be left as it is and, similar to Innuendo’s advice, recommended relocating and re-sealing the base.
@Bieber0815
The plans were prepared by an architect who visited the construction site several times; however, no expert consultant was involved.
@andimann
The asphalt company had to lower the asphalt level around the shaft because otherwise one-third of the shaft would have been below ground level. It might look different in the photo, but water does not pool here and flows downward.
@andimann&Domski
The missing gravel gutter was recommended by a structural engineer (who also installed one at his own house) because with the slope and canopy, water is supposed to be directed away from the house. I simply trusted this advice.
I am meeting with the installation company this week. I don’t expect them to change their position since in the last discussion they also referred to the canopy and slope as measures that should prevent water from entering the house. We are supposed to receive a new cover for the shaft to protect against pests (the current ones do not fit at all).
Our construction company said that this cannot really be left as it is and, similar to Innuendo’s advice, recommended relocating and re-sealing the base.
planlos1234 schrieb:
he referred on his part to the canopy and the slope, which should actually prevent any water from entering the house.Then he should provide this in writing and also be liable for any damages. If he is unwilling, he will have to make changes.
Regards,
Andreas
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planlos123411 Mar 2018 19:36Thank you for your help!
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