English. Ventilation in the form of air bricks should also be fitted into the brickwork near the top of the stack to stop internal condensation. Logged Wookey. 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? Chimney flues for stoves and fireplaces. The MARCONE chimney pot can be useful to increase a chimneys height and help to counter down draught. That’s how important it is that a chimney works properly. Unused chimneys are also prone to leaks, which can lead to damp in the home (something which every homeowner wants to avoid). About Us; What you need, when you need it; Commitment to society . Why should the room require ventilation through the flue? 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’s an integral part of your home’s ventilation system. Get in Touch. Staining on the chimney breast is common, and it is caused by moisture within the chimney stack interacting with the soot. This chimney currently has three flues, they are all at the same height. (Sept 10, 2011) Do I need cleanout doors? Pinterest; Facebook; Twitter; Email ; By: Dwight Barnett Related To: Foundations Maintenance. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. If that's too much trouble, then fill them with insulation is next best. So even if you no longer use it as a traditional fireplace, you’ll still need to keep it in good working order. Details of the planning permission and building regulation regimes for Flue, Chimney or Soil and Vent Pipe in England Could I not vent the unused chimney from the bottom (as I can hide the grille there)? Products. Do I need to have my chimney swept if I have a gas fire? Can you buy any size-adjustable chimney blockers? One of the most common questions asked on the HETAS Consumer Helpline is Do I need my chimney lined? Flue ventilators can be found on our chimney pot page. You will need to speak to a lot of experts before beginning your project. Question: My husband is replacing our roof. Wood-burning stoves also have flues and chimneys that need a yearly inspection. First, you need to know what makes a chimney do its job. They can even provide ventilation for chimneys that are no longer used to prevent condensation. 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. Cowls rarely do much good in pressure zone situations. 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. derekmt. We always advise that chimneys in older properties should be lined. We recommend that all unused flues are kept well vented. 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. (See diagram 4). Best thing to do with unused chimneys is remove them completely. Blocking up an unused fireplace . Take the chimney down – easy to do with small chimneys; A breather cowl – allows for some ventilation of the flue/stack; Find a RATED Roofing Contractor . What should I do with an unused chimney flue. 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. 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. 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. BUT, I'm rubbish at DIY. Home; Enterprise. What to do for other chimneys and heat sources in the home. 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. I have got chimney cowls for the top, but don't know how to block them off at the bottom. Chimney can be Shortened if Truly Unused. Shop All Gas Fires Without Chimneys 1. - I have 3 breakers in my breaker box that are disconnected. 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. I need to block of 3 chimneys so my very agile cat won't climb up. The flue ventilator stops rain entry to the chimney but still allows a small amount of air passage for ventilation. Blockages in chimneys connected to gas fires can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases. (The gas furnace and gas water heater both go directly into the flue). And even if you’re not using it, your natural-gas or oil-fueled appliances are. Experts in Chimneys, Ventilation, Chimney Sweep +34 615 465 831. Electrical - AC & DC - What to do with unused breakers in breaker box? It is important that unused chimneys are vented at both the top and the bottom, to allow a constant flow of air. There is a regulation that says your installer must satisfy themselves that the chimney is free from defects and suitable for its intended use. Pretty it isn’t. How do Chimneys Work? Sorry if this seems argumentative, I do not mean it to be so. Can you remove a chimney? He is adding a roof turbine with a thermostatic control to reduce the heat in our attic (old, wood-frame house). Won’t Depreciate the Property Value ; When sealing up an unused chimney doesn’t depreciate its value significantly, it becomes increasingly appealing. Many of our stoves have been tested to show they do not cause the upper surface of the hearth to raise above 100°C. 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. A professional chimney sweep can advise how often your chimney ought to be swept. 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. Yes, although less frequently. I'm bricking up an unused fireplace in a house about 30 years old. It had an open flame gas fire in it previously (with a nasty brick fireplace!). 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. WHAT YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT. 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. Masonry experts can tell you if the chimney can be salvaged and simply sealed off or repaired for less cost than removal. Hearth requirements. It seems to me that if 18" and a 90 degree bend is not much insurance, I would already be doomed. It is necessary to fit a 'hit and miss' ventilator to provide ventilation for the flue." This will keep a good flow of air going and reduce the likelihood of damp building up and becoming a problem. (I never use that cleanout) and the cleanout door for the heating area, which I also don't use. Plus, you can even decide to have it removed altogether. If you are unsure, please give us a call and we can discuss this with you. 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. Be a complicated task Foundations Maintenance 30 years old off an unused chimney doors -- the ash cleanout from fireplace. Flexible chimney liner kits are great value for money and will ensure best performance for your do unused chimneys need ventilation?. 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