Do I need to have my chimney swept if I have a gas fire? (Sept 10, 2011) Do I need cleanout doors? It's worth noting that although the chimney stack was originally outside, there has subsequently been an extension built on the far side, so the stack is now internal for most of the way up until about 2/3rd of the way up the second storey. Cowls rarely do much good in pressure zone situations. Newspaper, straw or chimney balloons won't work because the cats will destroy them or pull them out, so I need another option. (The gas furnace and gas water heater both go directly into the flue). 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. Logged Wookey. By: Ari Marantz Posted/Updated : 2015-08-29 Tweet; Post; ShareThis; Print; Email; Robert Linder / The Associated Press Capping or sealing an unused chimney will prevent air intrusion and stop pests from entering the home. Blockages in chimneys connected to gas fires can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases. Search. Home; Enterprise. That’s how important it is that a chimney works properly. Underground mine ventilation provides a flow of air to the underground workings of a mine of sufficient volume to dilute and remove dust and noxious gases (typically NO x, SO 2, methane, CO 2 and CO) and to regulate temperature.The source of these gases are equipment that runs on diesel engines, blasting with explosives, and the orebody itself. It seems to me that if 18" and a 90 degree bend is not much insurance, I would already be doomed. English. How Do Chimneys Work? BUT, I'm rubbish at DIY. A: Unused flues should be capped at the top, to minimise rainwater ingress. The science behind the workings and the function of chimneys is also very interesting. Products. When an installer checks your chimney they may find that the only way to provide you with a compliant and safe installation is to line the chimney. Sponsored Links Also see… Chimney Cowls – Some of the best chimney cowls and hot to fit; Chimneys – Commonly used phrases, leaks and anatomy of a … I'm bricking up an unused fireplace in a house about 30 years old. So even if you no longer use it as a traditional fireplace, you’ll still need to keep it in good working order. 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. Jonathon Greenall from Clearview Stoves, says, “You can run a bad stove on a good chimney but not a good stove on a bad chimney. It makes a great deal of sense to install a chimney cap, when you look at the benefits.There are, however, some problems which can occur because of a chimney topper, particularly involving wire mesh. How do I know whether they are functioning or not and before you Pinterest; Facebook; Twitter; Email ; By: Dwight Barnett Related To: Foundations Maintenance. For houses without a chimney, installing a balanced flue gas fire is a very popular option. 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. We always advise that chimneys in older properties should be lined. Chimney flues for stoves and fireplaces. Electrical - AC & DC - What to do with unused breakers in breaker box? If there is no combustion occurring in the room and the room is heated by the furnace through ductwork (like the rest of the house), why the need for ventilation through the chimney? If you were to put it simply, your chimney plays a very key role in keeping your house warm and also ensuring that your fireplace functions properly. It is necessary to fit a 'hit and miss' ventilator to provide ventilation for the flue." I have 2 currently unused fireplaces on my ground floor the chimneys of which have ugly vents in the upstairs bedrooms. For example a very large stove with a rating of 9kW would need a vent of (4 x 550m 2 = 2200mm 2) that is (sq root of 2200) a vent with the dimension of 46.9mm by 46.9mm or roughly 4.7 cms square. The MARCONE chimney pot can be useful to increase a chimneys height and help to counter down draught. Shop All Gas Fires Without Chimneys 1. Wood-burning stoves also have flues and chimneys that need a yearly inspection. This chimney currently has three flues, they are all at the same height. 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. This will keep a good flow of air going and reduce the likelihood of damp building up and becoming a problem. Yes, although less frequently. Once a multi-fuel chimney cowl has been fitted, you shouldn’t ever need to replace it as even if you change the type of fireplace or stop using the chimney altogether, the multi-purpose cowl can be left in place. First, you need to know what makes a chimney do its job. Blocking up an unused fireplace . Any unused flues should be capped with a mushroom pot and cowl which allows for free ventilation in the flue. Question: I'm looking for advice on how to cap off an unused chimney. I need to block of 3 chimneys so my very agile cat won't climb up. About Us; What you need, when you need it; Commitment to society . One of the most common questions asked on the HETAS Consumer Helpline is Do I need my chimney lined? Structural experts will need to be contacted to explain any potential concerns in the event you are removing the breast from one or more floors. That seems like a really bad plan if you are trying to be efficient. said: Hi, I have two cleanout doors--the ash cleanout from the fireplace. (I never use that cleanout) and the cleanout door for the heating area, which I also don't use. A chimney cap is a covering for the top of your chimney, and it usually includes wire mesh. These chimneys will work well if they are maintained – re-pointed, re-flaunched in lime, vegetation removed and with a more appropriate lead or metal flashing checked into the brick joint to dispel rainwater at the base. If it has been sealed from the top, you might need to open it up again and protect it with a chimney cap, instead. There is a regulation that says your installer must satisfy themselves that the chimney is free from defects and suitable for its intended use. If you are unsure, please give us a call and we can discuss this with you. Question: Do I need cleanout doors on my chimneys? What should I do with an unused chimney flue. A professional chimney sweep can advise how often your chimney ought to be swept. Balanced Flue Gas Fires. derekmt. Can you remove a chimney? In the room below, it is necessary to have chimney vent installed just below ceiling height. Where can I find a good chimney sweep? As a guideline for open fireplaces a permanent air vent should be provided giving a free area of ventilation of at least 50% of the throat opening of the fireplace. Could I not vent the unused chimney from the bottom (as I can hide the grille there)? Sealing unused chimney need not be a complicated task. They can even provide ventilation for chimneys that are no longer used to prevent condensation. Do I Need a Chimney Cap? It’s an integral part of your home’s ventilation system. Get in Touch. Sorry if this seems argumentative, I do not mean it to be so. Add ventilation to unused chimneys; Make sure you chimney is lined properly; If your chimney is sealed up and is causing damp, you need to create some ventilation. People are normally advised not to do this, and to leave the chimney as a gert big, ventilated, thermal bridge sucking the heat out of your house. I have got chimney cowls for the top, but don't know how to block them off at the bottom. (See diagram 4). Won’t Depreciate the Property Value ; When sealing up an unused chimney doesn’t depreciate its value significantly, it becomes increasingly appealing. Can you buy any size-adjustable chimney blockers? 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. While they do require some building work, they are incredibly efficient and available in an array of style choices. You will need to speak to a lot of experts before beginning your project. What to do for other chimneys and heat sources in the home. One of these will be having a log burner put in and the other won't be used. Experts in Chimneys, Ventilation, Chimney Sweep +34 615 465 831. It is important that unused chimneys are vented at both the top and the bottom, to allow a constant flow of air. While those fireplaces most likely have chimneys, your home’s primary heating system also is very likely to have a chimney or chimneys to carry heat, smoke, and dangerous flue gasses out of your home. No other room has such ventilation. I just need to shake this thought out a little more. As simple as chimneys look in appearance, many people often wonder in fascination about how do chimneys really work. Question: My husband is replacing our roof. It had an open flame gas fire in it previously (with a nasty brick fireplace!). Plus, you can even decide to have it removed altogether. And even if you’re not using it, your natural-gas or oil-fueled appliances are. Do I need to keep these vents (in both used and unused?). At the top, the best option is to fit a terracotta cowl or elevated cap to the chimney pot, which keeps the rain out but allows the air to enter. - I have 3 breakers in my breaker box that are disconnected. WHAT YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT. Why should the room require ventilation through the flue? Staining on the chimney breast is common, and it is caused by moisture within the chimney stack interacting with the soot. And how do you evaluate a settling foundation? The flue ventilator stops rain entry to the chimney but still allows a small amount of air passage for ventilation. Masonry experts can tell you if the chimney can be salvaged and simply sealed off or repaired for less cost than removal. Chimney can be Shortened if Truly Unused. He is adding a roof turbine with a thermostatic control to reduce the heat in our attic (old, wood-frame house). Check out this website and read reviews of RATED roofing contractors. Flue ventilators can be found on our chimney pot page. Pretty it isn’t. How do Chimneys Work? Cracked chimney stack mortar. English; Español; Français +34 941 436 060. Ventilation in the form of air bricks should also be fitted into the brickwork near the top of the stack to stop internal condensation. We like to fit terracotta ventilator caps to the top of the flue and ensure that there is an air vent at the bottom of the flue. Hearth requirements. Ventilation problems are also an issue in rooms that have a boarded up fireplace. You also will need to place a ventilation brick or panel at the base of the chimney to keep the air flowing. Many of our stoves have been tested to show they do not cause the upper surface of the hearth to raise above 100°C. Unused chimneys are also prone to leaks, which can lead to damp in the home (something which every homeowner wants to avoid). Best thing to do with unused chimneys is remove them completely. Many homeowners question whether or not it’s necessary to install a chimney cap.Even though relatively inexpensive to buy and easy to install, this little piece of metal atop your chimney can actually save you thousands of dollars on unnecessary chimney repairs. A Simple Cap. Not only that, it could be home to fur or feathered critters who aren’t afraid to leave nesting debris and other “calling cards” behind. Our flexible chimney liner kits are great value for money and will ensure best performance for your stove. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. If that's too much trouble, then fill them with insulation is next best. Details of the planning permission and building regulation regimes for Flue, Chimney or Soil and Vent Pipe in England We recommend that all unused flues are kept well vented. 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