If a chimney can not draft, it will reach such high temperatures that will destroy glass doors, cause flames to pour into the home and overheat any combustibles in the area. 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. You may soon find yourself with more residents in your house than planned for. Since you will not routinely be utilising the space, make sure it is free of any debris. A blocked chimney will actually allow more water into the home than it did before it was closed off. Replace or install the trim to your floor and ceiling. This will stop easy air movement from the fireplace, help with cold hearth syndrome and odor. All articles go through an editorial process that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other steps in an effort to provide reliable information. Apply a skim coat of concrete over the bricks, leaving the air bricks open. In the middle of the second row, set the air brick flush with the existing opening. Set a row of bricks approximately 30 cm (12 inches)inside of the existing opening. Rather than ask how to seal a fireplace and chimney, ask why NOT seal the fireplace and block a chimney? How to block off chimney? Sealing off a fireplace and chimney always collects water inside the flue. Before we get into the mechanics of blocking a chimney, you should be aware of the side effects of closing off a chimney and fireplace. A blocked chimney can lead to a dangerous chimney fire. 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. This is the surface you will secure the plasterboard to. Badly formed throat or gather. A 1/4-in. Insulation Solution. Having a blockage in the chimney’s flue liner can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. This is the WRONG WAY to Block a Chimney! iplan/a.collectionRF/amana images/Getty Images. A block-off plate is particularly helpful with inserts installed in fireplace on exterior walls with exterior chimneys. Fireplace doors offer the same safety factors as screens. 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. 3. Call us at 913-642-6171 or if you’d like to request a call back, our team will reach out to you. There wasn't any mortar it has went to dust. Arrange for your fireplace to be professionally cleaned. There are temporary solutions to cold air coming in and out of the chimney. This is at the top of the chimney and is the pipe that allows the smoke to escape. Blocking off your chimney top will prevent undesirable elements from entering your house. Im sure it should be blocked off. Sometimes chimney fires make loud echoing noises, while other times, the only sign of them are the flames erupting from the top of the chimney. Clearing out a blocked chimney can be very expensive, especially if the sweep charges per hour and takes a long time to remove compact debris. With a chimney, half of it is exposed to indoor temperatures and half to outdoor temperatures. How to block off chimney without closing fireplace off Hi, I have an open fireplace is my bedroom. We have a team of professionally trained and certified technicians ready to help unblock your chimney so it flows freely. Consider placing a barrier over the chimney itself for further sound insulation. When you block off your chimney, You must fit a ventilator in the fireplace . If you’re in the Kansas City area and want help to better understand the options that go beyond blocking a chimney, then click the button below. Should I block my chimney to cut down on heat loss and reduce my bills? 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