Any of these methods will serve your needs. For these unused chimneys, it’s better to have them sealed up at least until you’re able to come up with modifications for alternative fuel use. If you have an unevenly shaped clean-out, or an older cast iron one embedded in the masonry, capping may require a little more ingenuity. A kitchen brick pizza oven & a living room fireplace share the same space. If you could provide a link to VA code that says otherwise I'd be appreciative. Last Edited By Krjb Donovan. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The chimney flues connect the fireplaces internally to the chimney pots externally, lots of people with more than one or two chimney flues are often confused on which pot belongs to which fireplace inside the house. You can also seal the edges with foam weatherstripping tape, too. In some cases, it may involve capping a chimney off. It doesn’t matter the size of your chimney crown. I have noticed some debris like leaves and bird feathers sitting in the clean-out in my basement. This significantly increases the appeal of the fireplace. Any of these methods will serve your needs. But it is important to maintain a flow of air through a redundant flue to prevent dampness problems in the chimney … Last Updated: Mar 13, 2014 03:11 PM GMT. If your damper is near the firebox, you can use insulation to seal the chimney. Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the past president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors -- Manitoba (cahpi.mb.ca). It absolutely will. Your inflatable chimney pillow is meant to be used as a temporary seal until you are ready to take it out. The process involves cleaning out the chimney and fireplace first. Sealing an unused chimney. Operating a chimney can be stressful for some people. Even a bungalow with a very steep roof and a chimney top well above the eave may require temporary installation of scaffolding to ensure a safe worksite. Whatever the reasons may be, sealing a chimney and fireplace the right way is more important. This is meant to limit the buildup of creosote as well as gas leakages. The paint used must match the existing colors of your living space. 2:39. Flue sealers can be found at chimney supply and masonry stores, and can be purchased from many online retailers. Normally, there is a roof-like structure attached with the cap that disallows any rain from entering it. The chimney is brick with two clay tile liners running through it. The following information should help you comprehend better; This is also known as the chimney balloon and serves as a plug that fits into the chimney bottom. You’ll need to get a trained professional who has experience in this area. Seal Unused Chimney Flue Top, Air Leaks, Heat Loss, Damp, Water Entry ... Sealing a Chimney - DIY - Air Tight removable seal - Duration: 2:39. In certain situations, there are no plans for future use of the chimney or fireplace. Trim and drywall are added next followed by painting. When the experts come around, questions are asked, an inspection is carried out and the most appropriate action is taken based on your needs and the situation at hand. Using a Sealer for your Fireplace. If you fall under this category, sealing your unused chimney may be your best bet. We’ve seen that this process is either temporary or permanent. Hire the services of professional fireplace cleaners to clean it well. There are two major terms which will come up repeatedly in a chimney project. Repeated applications -- with time to cure in between -- may be required to get a thick enough layer to fill all gaps above and below the insulation plugs. Occasionally chimney pots may need to be capped if unused, protected from bird entry, rain blowing down the chimney pot, or both. Saving a big money on the heating bills by sealing them off when not in use is possible from masonry fireplaces in the house. However, such a delicate task shouldn’t be performed by you especially when you have little experience or know-how about the task at hand. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. Put a ventilated rain cowl/cap on the chimney pots. Another reason for being unable to use a chimney has to do with local ordinances prohibiting the use of wood as burning fuel for chimneys. Thankfully the resources on the internet will be very beneficial in helping you get the job done. What results is a situation where energy escapes. When implementing such modifications, however, it’s necessary to ensure you make provisions for ventilation as discussed earlier. Sealing it completely may affect some form of ventilation. Suppose the fireplace is in the children’s bedroom, you can paint it with their favorite colors and put some additional toys, which they love to make it look cute. The best way to prevent an impending disaster is to prepare for it. The chimney should be clean and free of dirt, oil, dust and any unwanted contaminants. Required fields are marked *. How to Seal an Unused Fireplace and Save Money on Heating Bills. You’ll find the perfect fit for your chimney. What energy? Apply a bead of butyl rubber caulk around three sides of the chimney at the top, and set the cut piece of metal on the chimney so the edges line up with the caulk bead. There are so many different options nowadays to cap off an unused chimney. For some, a permanent block will be in order. According to VA chimney experts there is no code stating how I have to seal the thimble. One of the best ways (in my opinion) is to use a Chimney C Cap Chimney C Caps are a plastic terracotta cap with an bird/insect guard that sits in side the cap. Second, the sealant works as a waterproofing agent and prevents leaks. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. There are a few products you can purchase to block the chimney just above the damper. In most cases, the need to seal a chimney will be due to it being underutilized or completely unused. Question: I'm looking for advice on how to cap off an unused chimney. The cap must be durable enough to keep these nuisances out. That is because a chimney needs some ventilation. Understanding these two terms is necessary for deciding on the appropriate actions and calculating costs. Before deciding on whether your chimney needs to be sealed temporarily or permanently, there have to be real reasons. Sealing your older, unused chimney should not be a complicated task as long as attention is paid to prevention of air intrusion, as well as environmental and pest control. This procedure is something you can do yourself as a homeowner. Unused chimneys not only waste a lot of heat, they also pose a potential damp problem as well as being a cause of smoking fireplaces and stoves. The furnace is in the basement, and on the main floor there was a thimble extending out on each side of the chimney. If your home is a two storey or higher, professional help likely will be required. In other words, such a chimney isn’t functional any longer or has retired. Answer: It is true that myself and others have recommended capping off an older, unused chimney to prevent moisture and air-leakage issues, but we have been vague about specific methods. Step #1: Find the Leak. The need for waterproofing applies to brick chimneys in particular. Both of these should become a non-issue if you properly air seal the former chimney openings top and bottom. This is followed by the cementing of masonry using special bricks known as air-flow bricks to aid with ventilation. I will try to highlight the key considerations when doing this task, whether by yourself or with professional help. As people spend more of their time indoors, it becomes necessary to ensure that there’s enough supply of fresh air in the home. The most difficult part of sealing your old chimney is at the top, due to obvious concerns with height and safety. Waterproofing and sealing a chimney can be vital to its structural integrity. Chimneys made of stucco plaster, stone, and concrete also require sealing. Capping unused chimneys - flue ventilators UK Unused chimneys not only waste a lot of heat, they also pose a potential damp problem as well as being a cause of smoking fireplaces and stoves. It would definitely be a good idea to call for a couple of estimates, even if you were thinking of doing the exterior sealing yourself. As long as you measure your chimney dimensions correctly, the installation should be easy. Make sure that it is clear of any extraneous debris. If you wish to temporarily seal up an unused chimney, there are effective ways to go about it. You can use a precast concrete cap that has a drip edge and then apply a sili… There are different approaches to doing this. The easiest way to seal off your fireplace is with a Chimney Balloon Inflatable Fireplace Plug. Moreover, it is also possible to use decorative items such as sculptors, candles, or figurines will cover your unused chimney just fine. This serves to keep both debris and moisture out of your flue. The key to capping the top of the chimney is to install a barrier that will be moisture and tamper resistant and will not be affected by environmental factors such as snow, wind and sunlight. Here, the thimble ports left open will need to be sealed before using the chimney. Simply cut a tight fitting plug out of foam insulation and block the hole on the bottom. If not, one can be fashioned from sheet metal using standard tools such as tin snips and pliers. To stop your chimney from being a major source of heat loss you need to insulate inside the chimney from the top and bottom, in addition to insulating the exterior. Step 2 – Purchase Your Flue Sealer or Flue Sealing Materials. I have a 1955 farm home which has a chimney currently being used to exhaust an oil furnace. Seems pretty extreme and unreversible. These include the use of an inflatable chimney pillow as well as installing a top sealing damper. Inflatable sealers serve as chimney stoppers. Despite briefly explaining the process involved in permanently sealing an unused chimney and fireplace, you don’t need to be worried about every detail involved. When sealing up an unused chimney doesn’t depreciate its value significantly, it becomes increasingly appealing. Many masonry contractors or chimney experts already have their own scaffolding and safety equipment to minimize these costs. Your professional advice would be greatly appreciated. Hi, We have exposed an old chimney in our Victorian terrace house. I have caps on both. When a chimney and fireplace is out of service or retired, it will need to be sealed off. The flue ventilator stops rain entry to the chimney but still allows a small amount of … Your email address will not be published. What more? Sealing your older, unused chimney should not be a complicated task as long as attention is paid to prevention of air intrusion, as well as environmental and pest control. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. How to permanently block a chimney When a chimney isn’t operable any longer, it can be sealed from the top while leaving the fireplace to add to the beauty of your home. One of them includes a chimney that has run out its course. Corey Binford 138,018 views. Preventing this will be of primary importance, but cold air intrusion from the top of the chimney must also be eliminated. Usually unused chimneys are capped off with a bent sheet metal covering and perhaps a wire strap or weight on the top. This chimney product comes in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. Being unable to use a chimney may be due to multiple reasons. The fireplace flue can be a major source of energy loss. Sealing off an unused fireplace. I have a chimney that needs repointed and do not currently use. How to temporarily block a chimney. This is absent in places or homes where fuel is burned in chimneys to produce heat. Chimney … Wood, kindling, and other materials that may travel up the chimney must be at a minimum of two inches away from the outer part of the chimney. For a more lasting seal, check out this DIY article on how to permanently seal an unused fireplace. Both of these objectives can be achieved with the same modifications, but will require more than one component. A moderately skilled homeowner may be able to tackle the exterior repairs, as long as proper safety precautions are taken. So, how should you maintain balance when sealing your chimney to prevent energy loss? Viewed 3k times 2. Active 1 year, 3 months ago. Are you able to provide me with some guidance here? This can be costly to rent and may require more time to set up and break down than the repair itself. All Rights Reserved. If you want an easy way to temporarily block and unused fireplace flue to stop a draft, you should consider installing a top sealing damper. That way, the structure remains and gets sufficient ventilation while adding to your home’s feel and look. Sealing up an unused brick fireplace chimney will save money on your heating bills and increase your comfort level at home.In addition to letting in cold, these chimneys pull hot air out of the house. It is important however to maintain an equilibrium when sealing an unused chimney and fireplace. If your house is a bungalow, you may be able to reach the top of the chimney quite easily by standing on the roof, or with a relatively short ladder. One is an inflatable balloon-type product that will seal the flue. This is one of the primary reasons for having a chimney and fireplace sealed. If the liner is quite rusted in any location, it is a good idea to remove it and cap the top of the chimney with a metal flashing or thick mortar bed. This has to be systematic. Treated energy from HVAC systems is bound to escape through the chimney or fireplace when it isn’t sealed. However, this doesn’t apply all the time. Just mentioning these chimney sealing methods won’t be enough without providing some form of information. There is no need to remove the fireback from the fireplace, although if a back boiler is fitted, this should be removed once the plumbing has been isolated and disconnected. More layers of bricks are added until the fireplace opening is shut or blocked off completely. Consider sealing it only at the top or the bottom. Chimney flues. This is seen in the elaborate hearth and mantle designs. A secure chimney cap must be installed to keep out debris and moisture. Your inquiry has identified the two main reasons for attempting this task. Last season I replaced my extremely old oil furnace with a high-efficiency propane furnace. There are multiple top-sealing damper sizes to choose from. That roof structure has to be removed, as well as the pipe it is connected to. If you're not going to use your fireplace again, or will not use it … How to seal a unused thimble in exhaust chimney. It is important to be extra careful in scouting for the right professionals. This can either be done permanently or partially depending on what works for you. The oil furnace used the chimney to exhaust its combustion gases. This way you (or the next owner) have the option to have it open or closed at will. At the bottom of the chimney, a tighter fitting flue cap may be installed if you have a standard round metal clean-out protruding from the chimney. All you need to do is call in the experts. This ensures the zero accumulation of all sorts of debris. Sealing and insulating the clay flue at the top and bottom of the stack will ensure the job will yield these desired results. It is assumed that you do not have plans of renovating or remodeling your chimney in the nearest future. ©2015 Winnipeg Free Press. There are different approaches to doing this. As with many home-related modifications, common sense should dictate the methods employed in sealing your redundant chimney. That may be necessary if it becomes damaged or access to the inside of the chimney for future repairs is required. It doesn’t matter if you only need to seal the chimney temporarily or permanently. In that situation repairs can be done fairly quickly while supplies are temporarily stored on the roof adjacent to the chimney. Unlike the inflatable chimney pillow which is placed at the chimney bottom, true to its name, the top sealing damper is designed to be placed at the top or above the chimney crown. Such reasons may differ from one person to the other. A: Unused flues should be capped at the top, to minimise rainwater ingress. Some of the value for sealing a chimney and fireplace is because it is unused, is retired, or gone out of service, being a huge source of energy loss and also being valuable despite being out of service. 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