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Is drilling a small vent hole in a load bearing wall a horrible idea?

Pamela G
9 months ago

I am renovating my flat and desperately wanted an externally vented extractor fan as I think recirculating ones are pointless.
Initially I asked the management company and they said they agree but if there is any damage I will be liable.
My contractors also agreed on drilling the hole. Now, few months later they said that this is a load-bearing hole and there is a lot of risk. Few days later however they said if I want the hole they will drill it, no problem.

I am now really confused with this whole back and fourth and no one giving me a clear answer whether I can or cannot drill through this wall..

Would a small vent hole just above the window(photo attached, marked yellow) really pose risk to the integrity of the wall?

Comments (5)

  • User
    9 months ago

    I think all external walls are load bearing, and vents are always put through external walls, so I don't see an issue.

  • Jonathan
    9 months ago

    Don’t put it there.

    My belief is that your building is constructed around a reinforced concrete frame and the yellow X is where the frame is. Assuming you and your builder concur that this is part of the principal construction then perhaps the venting can exit the building through the tile

  • User
    9 months ago

    Having said that, like Jonathan says there will be a concrete beam there. Is there wall space for the vent?

  • Sonia
    9 months ago

    I have a vent near the bottom of my external front wall which was installed by the cavity wall insulation engineers and also there’s a vent where my boiler flue is, so it is possible.

  • Jonathan
    9 months ago

    I think you might find you can’t do it.

    Your picture is quite close up so it’s difficult to tell- but I think you might find your building was constructed of concrete floors held up by concrete piers- the same as you are used to seeing in multi storey car parks. It was a common construction method and all they did was enclose the structure with a brick layer. The point is that it looks like the bit you think you are going to drill through might well be the concrete floor of the first floor. I think it needs further investigation

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