Blocking off a chimney breast?

JustAnotherSaver

My wife is a huge worrier so i'm hoping someone here can help with this situation.

CURRENTLY: We have a gas fire installed which will be getting removed as well as surround & hearth. We were going to have a real fire installed, which then changed to a gas fire & now we're very likely to just be having no fire in it - expose the recess, maybe put in some shelving or something.



The flooring will also be getting renewed also as part of the job - boards & joists.

What is worrying my wife is:

1. What should be done to block up the chimney so that nothing falls down & to stop one huge draught coming down there?
2. What should be done regarding venting the chimney?

I'm no expert (that's why I'm here) but i am guessing they would put some sort of plate somewhere in line with the lintel there. My wife thinks they may plasterboard it. My only concern with plasterboard would be it getting damp.

I also guess they would put some sort of top or cap on the chimney, in order to stop birds getting in there. What sort of top/cap or if one at all...I don't know.

As for the vent, wouldn't this let a big sooty stink in to the room? At any rate, if a vent is needed, would it have to go top centre, or could it go at one side of the chimney, or if on the sides would it have to go both sides?



Thanks.

JustAnotherSaver

Back on to page 1 we go

richy999

I blocked up our fireplace opening but included an air brick. The chimney breast was then plaster boarded over with a hole in front of the air brick which was covered with an adjustable vent.

The warm air in the room is drawn up the chimney, via the air brick/vent to prevent damp forming in the chimney. You can get vented chimney pots that will allow air circulation but stop rain/birds getting into the chimney... or you can get a bird cap fitted to your pot.

I wouldn't worry about soot coming into the room if you block up the opening in the way I described. But if you where worried, you could always have it swept before closing it up.

With regards to vent placement, you could put on the side but that would mean making another opening in the side of the chimney breast. Alternatively, as you have suspended flooring, it might be possible to put the air brick under the level of the flooring, so you have no visible vent on show... assuming your suspended flooring is properly vented.

JustAnotherSaver

Thanks for that. We never thought of having it right at the bottom there. Nice idea.

Each day we're between a gas fire & no gas fire. No gas fire would be cheaper for sure.
But i think it'd be nice to have the option.