If your chimney is unlined, you don’t have flue tile, so the above solution will not work. So even if you close the damper it still doesn't do anything because most dampers are warped from the heat of the fireplace and it cost billions of dollars each year. Thanks for any help, Cheers, Bigwizz Bigwizzard, Nov 1, 2006 #1. nicknuv New Member. When considering how to close off a chimney, or sweep a chimney remember any job done has potential to impact on the integrity of the property. Flue sealers can be found at chimney supply and masonry stores, and can be purchased from many online retailers. Regular cleaning of a chimney can reduce the risk of a chimney fire, but even if you choose to clean the chimney yourself, you should also have the chimney inspected by a professional on a regular basis. How To Seal Off An Unused Fireplace Written by Doityourself Staff. It is obviously not in use anymore, as my new high- efficiency furnace uses PVC piping for intake and exhaust through the side wall of my house. How to Close Off Fireplaces. Block up the opening in the chimney breast with concrete blocks or stud work and plasterboard. The oil furnace used the chimney to exhaust its combustion gases. How do you permanently close a chimney? Paint and decorate the room. Discussion in 'Building' started by onionsa, 1 Mar 2018. onionsa. Active 6 years, 2 months ago. Place the sleeve into the hole, and patch up the gaps as completely as possible with a strong mortar. Can you close off a chimney completely? How to cap a chimney off. Fit skirting boards. The damper has a chain that a user can use to open or close it. This is a very common condition and even removing the chimney doesn’t stop it because the back wall is also contaminated. The cleaning of the fireplace and its floor needs to be wiped clean of any trim. This was a few years ago so it might not be the correct way now strappy, Jul 4, 2008 #2. nextlonestar New Member. Question: I'm looking for advice on how to cap off an unused chimney. Regardless of the motivation many homeowners often reach this conclusion. Permanently blocking an unlined chimney. Chimney cleaning or chimney sweeping is a good idea at the start and the end of the season. Answered 20th Aug 2019 Like 3. Viewed 24k times 3. The steps you need to take vary based on the type of chimney you have, so make sure that you select the right type of cap before proceeding. The fireplace flue can be a major source of energy loss. on Aug 14, 2009 . When the fireplace is off, however, you may experience the cold air coming through the chimney and stealing the warmth out of your home. You can choose from several materials for a chimney cap. Consider the fact that a proper masonry chimney is presumed to be able to safely endure extremely high temperatures for short intervals, e.g., a chimney fire lasting a few minutes at 1,800 degrees F, without necessarily burning down your house. Whilst writing this it's occured to me that the walls of the chimney will be the coldest in the rooms they pass thru, could this cause condensation problems, especially as one of the rooms is the ensuite. Try to remove as many parts of the stove as possible, e.g. How to close off a chimney temporarily Last Updated: Saturday, September 5th, 2020, Created: Monday, December 31st, 2007 Jacqueline from Red Deer Alberta is trying to figure out how to close up her chimney between periods of using the fireplace, given that her damper is burned out and very difficult to replace. There are many times when a chimney may need to be capped, like to stop birds getting into the chimney pots, stop rain blowing down the flues, detecting and stopping chimney leaks, or to restrict heat loss from a redundant open flue. Feb 2, 2016 - When considering how to close off a chimney, or sweep a chimney remember any job done has potential to impact on the integrity of the property. Can I close off the chimney at the fireplace end? Most people prefer to hire a professional when capping their chimney, but you can technically install a cap on your own. Plasterboard the open ceiling and plaster skim to match the existing ceiling. I don't use it and I want to be able to put furniture against that wall. I found this question which answers what to do with the chimney outside, but I am still unsure about this hole in my basement. Permanently seal the Chimney; 1. Unlike a traditional chimney damper, top-sealing dampers are constructed to form a tight seal. Step 4 . If it's clean, sweep up any debris that fell during off the cleaning process and you're done. All chimney flues must be ventilated top and bottom. If you have a defunct or dormant fireplace or woodstove in your home, or a derelict chimney from a heating device that is already gone, you can make a bit more space in your home and reduce the chances of leakage in your roof by pulling out the chimney. What materials should I use besides cement/mortar? A fireplace damper, chimney damper, or “throat damper” is a metal plate located at the top of your chimney’s firebox. Will the opening in the clay liner need something specific to close off and seal the hole, so exhaust gasses from my furnace/boiler, which is vented into this chimney, do no leak into the chimney walls, etc.? Likewise, fit a bird and rain guard cowl on the chimney pot to allow free airflow. What To Do Next. Job Done. Joined: 28 Oct 2017 Messages: 172 Thanks Received: 0 Country: Hi all, just wanting to get a firm answer on whether or not you can completely seal an unused Chimney? In addition to keeping moisture out of a chimney, chimney caps with mesh prevent animals from getting in and sparks from getting out. Wood-burning fireplaces were a standby in homes for centuries, only being phased out when heating technologies powered by electricity and oil were developed. Overall - Clean Your Own Chimney. * Be sure to use proper care while Lifting Heavy Objects. Oct 30, 2014 - How to Close an Unused Chimney. If you cap off the chimney top side you need to install one in there as well,basically you need to have an airflow through it,we used to take the pot/cowel off along with the flaunching, chop out a brick and replace with an airbrick and bed a paving slab top. So what I've decided to do is seal mine off permanently and not ever use it again. For a more lasting seal, check out this DIY article on how to permanently seal an unused fireplace. If you're not going to use your fireplace again, or will not use it … Its job is to seal off the firebox from the rest of the chimney, and can be opened or close with a lever. I have a fireplace in my bedroom that I want to permanently close off and make into just a regular smooth wall. A chimney damper is located in the flue of the chimney and helps to control the chimney ventilation. Midwales Stoves. Make good flooring and wall, using appropriate materials, and plaster as necessary. This will take 2 people, approximately 4 days, plus making good and plastering. By properly using a damper, covering the fireplace, or installing a chimney balloon, you can keep the heat in and the cold out! The unused fireplace needs to be covered, which is initiated by cleaning the surface well. How should I close off the 4" diameter opening into the chimney, into which my old eater's galvanized vent was installed? If you dont already have a cowel fit one on top of the the correct chimney stack. This is technically a chase cover and not something you want to make at home. Top-sealing dampers securely close off the top of your chimney flue, keeping hot air in and cold air out. Top-Sealing Dampers Save Money. Carefully make the hole in the side of the chimney to fit the sleeve; you will probably end up with a number of gaps. This type of work is best done by a professional unless you have a good head for heights! Chimney caps protect the inside of your chimney and the inside of your home from weather damage and outdoor pests. Give us a ring on 020 8856 4341 and we’ll be happy have a friendly, no-obligation chat about your individual situation and advise you on what to do next. How to Permanently Seal Your Fireplace. After the mortar has gone off and the brickwork is firm, carry out the plastering as detailed in our articles for ‘repairing plaster on masonry walls’ – don’t be in too much of a hurry to start plastering, if you start too soon the brickwork may not be firm enough and you could push over the wall you've built to close up the fireplace. Now first off all, make sure you're safe and feel safe on a roof. Chimney problems sometimes become so frustrating that homeowners want more than to cap a chimney, they want the chimney removed, torn down or at the very least they ask us to seal a chimney off completely.. It’s often chimney leaks or unwanted cold air from the fireplace, otherwise known as a draft. To do that what I needed to do is get on my roof and take off my chimney cap. The chimney flue pipe needs to be covered also. Step 2 – Purchase Your Flue Sealer or Flue Sealing Materials. They don’t break down the way throat dampers do. I now want to properly condemn the chimney. Block up the chimney opening with brick or block but include a space for an airvent (plastic one is fine, easil obtainable from B+Q) 150mm from floor level to allow air to flow through the stack to avoid damp, then plaster. Cooled or heated air from inside your home can escape through the chimney, causing your HVAC system to work harder. If you are removing it completely, the roof will also need to be patched up. Once a chimney breast has been removed, you will need to make good the floor where the chimney breast once was. * Use a Furniture Dolly to move the wood stove out of the room. Close the lower opening in the chimney flue so it’s sealed off from the ground floor. A metal chimney is much easier to remove than a masonry chimney. Everyone likes to cozy up in front of a fireplace during the cold months. There are several options for you to consider. When water is able to pour directly into your chimney, it will be almost impossible to avoid major repairs from the resulting damage. Inflatable sealers serve as chimney stoppers. Imagine how long your "pie-plate" seal will last at that temperature. Could I fill them with loose insulation? Learning how to clean your own chimney is … The last step is where heavy lifting is required. Remember you must have airflow i nto the stack so fit a vent as you close the opening. How is this done properly? I already have another fireplace downstairs in the living room and this one is just in the way. If you no longer have an active chimney then it’s a good idea to cap off the top, this may improve the thermal efficiency of the home and you won’t have to worry about birds getting into the stack. One must not take chances with just any contractor. Ask Question Asked 8 years, 1 month ago. If you have damp patches on the chimney breast , it will have to be re rendered with a waterproof render . the door of the stove, which can be close to 40-50 lbs. Last season I replaced my extremely old oil furnace with a high-efficiency propane furnace. If you want to seal your fireplace off for good, the easiest way to do so in a hurry is to cut out a foam insulation plug, place it at the bottom of your chimney, and caulk or weatherstrip it in place. A chimney damper is one of the various parts that make up a chimney. Although this method allows you to stay off the roof, it's dirtier and it's somewhat cumbersome to clean the flue from the bottom up. Professional inspection will check for creosote as well as blockage, damage and structural … Watch and listen to Shell answer a question from one of his HouseSmart Club members who wants to know how to block off their unused chimney. They are far less expensive than the newer dampers, but they must be removed before every fire and cannot be reinstalled until the fireplace has completely cooled. The solution is very similar, but your “pan” will cover the whole chimney top. 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