Silven-Hoell holds a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary humanities from Spalding University and graduated summa cum laude. Cracks in the crown are even more problematic than cracks on the vertical sections of the chimney, since water, snow, and ice can gather there. Place the sleeve into the hole, and patch up the gaps as completely as possible with a strong mortar. Once you've capped the top of the chimney, you will need to insulate the bottom of it. You can follow these easy steps to block off your fireplace or even to close it up completely. Summary: Learn how to close a fireplace with a cast-iron surround, close a fireplace with a timber surround, close a fireplace with a tiled surround, close a fireplace with a brick or stone surround, close a fireplace with a raised hearth, brick up an opening, board up an opening and fit a chimney cowl. Amazon's Choice for chimney hole cover. Those usually have about a 4” drop over the sides. (Image credit: Farrow and Ball) How to open up a fireplace 1. Nov 16, 2011 3,963 144 106. How to Close Off Fireplaces. If bits of brick have crumbled inside, or if there is significant decay, consider calling a professional to inspect the chimney and clean it out before you seal it. I recently removed the old unused wood stove in my basement. Apply a bead of butyl rubber caulking around all sides of the insulation where they rest against the sides of the chimney. Renee Miller began writing professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the "Community Press" newspaper. For instance, you must determine whether you want to take the fireplace out, wall it up to close it permanently or whether you simply want to close it up temporarily so that you can use it again in the future. 4.5 out of 5 stars 72. How to Seal Where the Roof & Fireplace Meet, Ask Jon Eakes: Closing Down an Unused Chimney, Winnipeg Free Press: Seal Unused Chimney Top and Bottom, Sealing an Air Leak Around a Chimney in the Attic. Find out how to repair a chimney in our guide. 4.6 out of 5 stars 249. It is important to close off unused chimneys, whether they are metal or masonry, because if you don't carefully cap off the top, the rain will get in, and if you don't plug up the bottom, the household moisture will get in. Insert a metal tie into the mortar to join the inner wall to the longer wall, giving the finished structure … This is the fourth brick barbeque I have built. Viewed 23k times 3. The wife has always wanted to expose it, hoping it looked decent. Wood-burning fireplaces were a standby in homes for centuries, only being phased out when heating technologies powered by electricity and oil were developed. One of he best methods for closing up the bottom of the chimney depends on whether you want it sealed permanently or temporarily. 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. I now want to properly condemn the chimney. If you dont already have a cowel fit one on top of the the correct chimney stack. Bigger is definitely not better when it comes to chimneys. Great idea. However, if you want to permanently close up your chimney, cutting out a foam insulation plug and placing it in the bottom of the chimney and caulking around it is the best method. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Well when we removed the walls to take a peek we were surprised to find a old, open flue thimble from what I guess used to be an old kitchen wood stove. In either case, unknown to you, the metal chimney will slowly rust and the masonry chimney will slowly decay. Most people prefer to hire a professional when capping their chimney, but you can technically install a cap on your own. 21. Unused open flues continually draw expensive heated air from the home causing drafts both up and down. Before you set about reinstating the opening, you should first protect your floors and cover furniture. In general, the chimney flue (the hole that gases flow through) should match the size of the outlet on the stove. The chimney crown is a sloping cap that forms the top-most section of your chimney. Active 6 years ago. monkeydelmagico Diamond Member. The solution is very similar, but your “pan” will cover the whole chimney top. I've starting insulating the roof and that got me looking at the "old" hole where a (useless) chimney used to be. Do not attempt to use the chimney after it has been closed. $9.21 $ 9. There is one important detail for the top cap. Photo about: How to Cover Chimney Hole, Title: How To Cover Chimney Hole Style, Description: .. , Tags: How to Cover Chimney Hole Fireplace,How to Cover Chimney Hole Ideas,How to Cover Chimney Hole Interior,How to Cover Chimney Hole Plate,How to Cover Chimney Hole Rustic, Resolution: 900px x 675px The MARCONE chimney pot can be useful to increase a chimneys height and help to counter down draught. 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. Some fireplace chimneys have the clean-out on the outside of the house while others, such as some masonry chimneys, have the clean-out in the basement of the home. Sealing it airtight prevents household moisture from escaping and this can cause decay. For example, if a chimney height is increased by 2 feet and the chimney is 10 feet high, the effective improvement is 20%. Cooled or heated air from inside your home can escape through the chimney… Press the metal into the caulk. These plugs easily fit inside the bottom of the flue and inflate to block any air from getting in or leaving the house. UNITED STATES HDW/U S HA BM0353 ALM ADJ Flue Stop. If you are one who doesn't use your fireplace very often, you may want to close up the chimney. Its purpose is both to protect the masonry section of the chimney and to prevent water from pooling on top. You can also seal the edges with foam weatherstripping tape, too. Always get professional advice before selecting a chimney of a different size than the stove outlet. Warn guests in your home that the chimney is not in use and has been closed. Measure all sides of the opening at the top of the chimney. Photo about: How to Cover Chimney Hole, Title: How To Cover Chimney Hole Metal, Description: .. , Tags: How to Cover Chimney Hole Fireplace,How to Cover Chimney Hole Ideas,How to Cover Chimney Hole Interior,How to Cover Chimney Hole Plate,How to Cover Chimney Hole Rustic, Resolution: 900px x 675px Thanks, Pat $10.78 $ 10. A metal chimney is much easier to remove than a masonry chimney. If it does you will need to use some … Miller holds a diploma in social services from Clarke College in Belleville, Ontario. If you decide to reopen it, have a professional inspect the chimney before you use it again. We explain that in addition to using the chimney cleanout as a service port to remove debris that has fallen to the bottom of a masonry chimney, the cleanout door and the type of debris found inside can tell us something about the condition of the chimney flue even though we cannot see most of it. Use a utility knife to cut a piece of rigid foam insulation to these measurements. Sharon Martin. What would I use? To experiment with increasing chimney height, simply use a temporary piece of metal extension inserted inside the flue of the chimney. The hole was plugged up previously with I'm not sure what; but now it has sunken in and she is trying to get her house ready to sell and wants me to level out the hole. After an old fire surround and hearth has been removed, the hole in the chimney breast can be bricked in to tidy up the wall. Kirsten Silven-Hoell began working as a freelance writer and editor in 2004 after spending six years in the financial services industry. on May 16, 2018. if you no longer need the chimney I would fill the hole with fiberglass or some type of insulation. If it does, you can't completely block off the chimney top or your furnace won't work and carbon monoxide would build up. You can also seal the edges with foam weatherstripping tape, too. How to Close the Chimney Flue. No fireplaces, just the oil fired boiler vents into this chimney currently. How to properly close a chimney hole in the basement. The purpose of the sleeve is to distribute the weight of the chimney on that side around the hole, so it doesn't bear on the stovepipe itself. Protect surrounding floors and furniture. You may choose close hole spacing for both hands (recommended) or for just the top or bottom hand. It may also help to introduce some room ventilation on the same side as the prevailing wind, helping to equalize the pressure at the top and bottom of chimneys. It is best to call a professional in and get a stainless-steel chase top installed. (See diagram 4). That chimney got removed for a solar panel setup. Job Done. (Close spacing for the top hand entails a bit more cost than close spacing for the bottom hand because it is more labor-intensive. Photo about: How to Cover Chimney Hole, Title: How To Cover Chimney Hole Repair, Description: .. , Tags: How to Cover Chimney Hole Fireplace,How to Cover Chimney Hole Ideas,How to Cover Chimney Hole Interior,How to Cover Chimney Hole Plate,How to Cover Chimney Hole Rustic, Resolution: 900px x 675px You’ll see what these costs are when you select your options below.) As I'm insulating, this needs to be closed off from the weather entirely. Try opening a small window on the windward side of the house. She worked as editor-in-chief at "Kentucky Homes & Gardens" magazine for more than three years before becoming editor-in-chief and art director at "Club Solutions Magazine." The fireplace flue can be a major source of energy loss. Measure all sides of the chimney opening at the top of the fireplace, directly below the damper. When it's time to use the chimney again, all you have to do is deflate the plug and pull it out. Close the fireplace damper completely. Only 8 left in stock - order soon. Carefully make the hole in the side of the chimney to fit the sleeve; you will probably end up with a number of gaps. The goal of this metal cap is to prevent rain from coming in, but it shouldn’t be an airtight seal. Before doing so, ensure you have enough information about the process to do it in the best manner possible. If you hear the wind howl through the chimney, or get annoyed by the sound of rain beating against the metal, a fireplace might not be for you. Disassemble and remove wooden frames inside the firebox and chimney. However, if you want to permanently close up your chimney, cutting out a foam insulation plug and placing it in the bottom of the chimney and caulking around it is the best method. If the clean-out is in the basement, tape and seal around the clean-out so that no air can get in or out through the clean-out. Speedi-Products Black SP-DFS 06 6-Inch Diameter Decorative Flue Stop . Place the foam up inside the chimney so that it fits tightly into place. Chimney cleanout doors & openings: This article describes chimney cleanout access doors or ports. It's hard to tell with such a close-up photo, but it seems like a framed photo or painting would cover it nicely. Capping the flue is one of the best ways to close up the top of the chimney as it will still allow air to get in and out, preventing condensation from building up. Ehu28364139. The hole for the chimney footing should be 6 inches bigger than the drain pipe. You may need to use a screwdriver to loosen screws holding it in place. Reply. Helpful. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 9. Answered 20th Apr 2011 Like 17. j cunningham building services. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. In special cases (like with a very tall chimney), a chimney flue can be smaller than the appliance outlet. But close spacing for both hands is the best value. Ask Question Asked 8 years ago. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. Thanks Brenda! Make sure your furnace/hot water heater vent doesn't vent through the chimney. How to Close an Unused Chimney. However, go ahead and seal up the horizontal vapor barrier line inside the house to keep the house from losing air. Put on heavy work gloves, and use tin snips to cut a piece of sheet metal to the same measurements as the chimney opening. Remove the cap on the chimney. On the other hand, the same 2 feet added to a chimney that is 30 feet high is only 7%. Chimney Capping - How to Cap off a Chimney and Seal - YouTube The flue and chimney must be reinstated if you intend to have a fully working fire. Many people live in homes containing a fireplace; some enjoy their fireplaces and use them regularly while others rarely, if ever, use theirs. Closing up a chimney can help save energy and prevent the need for repairs. Chimney caps protect the inside of your chimney and the inside of your home from weather damage and outdoor pests. The hole is about 6-8" in diameter, the basement wall is block and as I said before it was closed up before but with time it has sunken in. Other options New from $8.99. The brick boiler chimney runs from the basement, through the kitchen to the roof. If this helps, fit a permanent air vent. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. 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. Jun 11, 2015 #5 While it is unlikely please be sure nothing else uses the same chimney. Reply. 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. 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. If you want it sealed temporarily, purchasing an inflatable chimney plug is your best option. While the idea of a fireplace is romantic, it might be a nuisance in practice. If your chimney is unlined, you don’t have flue tile, so the above solution will not work. How to Block Off a Fireplace. Before you can determine what the best way is to close up your chimney, you need to know for how long you want the chimney closed up. While you do want the top capped, you should not seal it off completely. A flue directs smoke outside of a home when a fireplace is in use. For those with the clean-out outside the house, leave the clean-out cap loose to allow excess moisture a way out. on May 17, 2018. The fireplace flue can be a major source of energy loss. If you're not going to use your fireplace again, or will not use it for a significant period of time, you should close the chimney to prevent air from escaping and to avoid moisture problems. Climb onto your roof to inspect the chimney. Helpful. Photo about: How to Cover Chimney Hole, Title: How To Cover Chimney Hole Build, Description: .. , Tags: How to Cover Chimney Hole Fireplace,How to Cover Chimney Hole Ideas,How to Cover Chimney Hole Interior,How to Cover Chimney Hole Plate,How to Cover Chimney Hole Rustic, Resolution: 900px x 675px Replace the chimney cap and go inside the house. Regardless of whether you are closing your chimney up permanently or temporarily, you need to ensure the top of the flue is capped with a high-quality metal (or copper) cap so that very little moisture can get inside the fireplace while also keeping unwanted animals such as squirrels, birds and bats from crawling inside. 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To reopen it, hoping it looked decent cap on your own pan ” will cover the chimney! Removed the old unused wood stove in my basement from inside your home that the chimney you! Are one who does n't use your fireplace or even to close it up completely STATES HDW/U S HA ALM... Cowel fit one on top of the chimney cap and go inside the firebox and chimney must be if! A piece of metal extension inserted inside the firebox and chimney choose close hole spacing for both hands recommended! Than a masonry chimney will slowly decay old unused wood stove in my basement interdisciplinary humanities from Spalding University graduated... Earn compensation through affiliate links in this story Like 17. j cunningham building services to prevent from... A home when a fireplace 1 against the sides about a 4 ” drop over the sides of the correct. Both hands is the best manner possible bit more cost than close spacing for both is... A fireplace is in use simply use a temporary piece of metal extension inserted inside the and! The flue and chimney 2015 # 5 while it is more labor-intensive than a masonry chimney slowly...