Buried Vents and Buried Responsibility: Why Trade Specs Are Failing New Homeowners

Let’s talk about periscope vents. Again.

Because even though we know they need to be 75mm above finished ground level, we still see them buried under patios, hidden behind landscaping, or barely visible above driveways. And as usual, no one takes responsibility.

But I’ve been on site. I’ve lived this. I know why this keeps happening.

And it’s not just laziness or bad luck. It’s outdated trade specifications that create a petty blame game between groundworkers, bricklayers, and site teams, while the future homeowner ends up living with rotting floors, rising damp, and zero accountability.

🧱 Where It Goes Wrong: The Specification Tug-of-War

Here’s what usually happens:

1. The groundworker’s spec says they’re responsible for brickwork up to DPC level and for installing the periscope vents.

2. The bricklayer’s spec says they’re responsible for supplying the vents, but not placing them beyond what’s been agreed in the substructure.

3. The DPC gets set at scaffold base height, with no consideration for the external level, especially when soft landscaping becomes hard landscaping later on.

4. No one checks the external levels drawing.

5. No one raises the vents, when they installed the secondary DPC at level thresholds and external raised ground levels.

   
   

   Because it’s “not their job.”

And because of this, the vents stay where they were initially dropped in too low, ineffective, and already compromised before the homeowner even moves in.

🤦‍♀️ “But That’s Not in My Spec” — The Most Dangerous Phrase in Construction

I’ve seen it too many times. The bricklayer won’t add an extra course to lift the vent because it’s technically not in their remit. Or they’re looking for extras when it’s technically too late.

The groundworker thinks their job’s done once they’ve reached DPC.

And site managers, many of whom don’t read external level drawings, just focus on getting the home finished, without rocking the boat.

So the result?

🏡 A shiny new home that looks great on the surface, but has blocked, buried, or pointless sub-floor ventilation underneath it. And when all warranties have expired, that same homeowner is dealing with damp, decay, and disappointment.

📐 The Root Problem? A Lack of Coordination and Drawing Literacy

What this really comes down to is:

• Trade specs that haven’t evolved with modern standards

• A lack of joined-up thinking between disciplines

• And a site culture where “getting the job done” matters more than getting it done right

Too many site teams don’t:

• Read the external levels drawing

• Visualise the final landscaping finish

• Or understand that a vent that works today might be buried tomorrow

That’s not a criticism, it’s a call for training, accountability, and real leadership on site.

💥 My Call to Action: It’s Time to Update the Specs and Raise the Standards

If we want safe, dry homes:

• Trade specifications need to reflect modern build sequences and landscaping finishes

• Bricklayers and groundworkers need shared responsibility, or at the very least, clear guidance

• And site managers need to be trained to read all the drawings, not just structural or build sequence.

This isn’t rocket science. It’s a vent. But it matters.

Because when it’s done wrong, it causes long-term damage that homeowners are stuck with.

And when no one takes responsibility? That damage gets hidden until it’s too late.

👷‍♀️ Final Thought: The Real Cost of Passing the Buck

It’s petty.

It’s small-minded.

And it’s hurting real families.

All because someone says:

“That’s not in my spec.” Meanwhile, the only person who truly suffers is the homeowner who trusted the system to build their house right.

We can do better. We have to do better.

And it starts with opening our eyes and raising those vents and not putting in fake ones instead.

📢 I’ll be talking more about this in upcoming videos on @TheUnfilteredFemaleSiteManager.

Because if site managers don’t speak up, no one else will.