wall vents nailed on

hi im wondering how to clean the plastic wall vents in our home.The previous owners seem to have nailed them on.Would it damage the plaster if i removed them an screwed them back on{making them easier to clean in future}Or should i replace them ? if so what type should i get.Im getting a plasterer in to do some work so if the walls will be damaged by removal this would be the time to do it.Thanks for any help

You usually have a short space occupied by a plastic pipe between the air vents which is used to vent air from outside in, important not to block these vents, they don't usually get dirty and I don't think I've ever cleaned mine in any serious way. You could use the narrow hoover attachment which will help clean between the vent spaces or / and a damp cloth, when done you could paint the vent thereby keeping it cleaner for longer.

thanks for the reply.the vents were filthy when we moved in.black in places.we washed them as best we could but dont feel there really clean.We wouldnt dream of blocking them.But thanks for the advice.

also meant to say they look like venetian blinds but with a mesh behind them

If you're talking about ones like the 'White adjustable airflow wall vent' as shown halfway down the page [broken link removed] then it sounds as if you would be better off buying new ones and replacing them. It seems very strange that they would have nailed them on rather than screwing them to the wall. The front section slides back and forth to allow air entry.

Places like B&Q sell them or good diy stores. If money is tight you could try taking them off, cleaning them with something like Cif and returning them with screws.

yes thats what i think ill have to do .just hope the plaster doesent come with it .thanks

Some people nail everything in, just due to basic cluelessness (this might have also applied to some "handymen" during the credit boom).

Even if plaster comes out with it, it would be a simple job to remedy with polyfilla or the like. Either way get rid of those nails!

Best of luck with it.