One thought I had was to drop a length of rebar down the flue and fill it with concrete . They can last up to 90 years; and the copper looks good whether polished or whether patina, a colored film, forms on the copper surface. Leaving an unused chimney flue exposed invites moisture problems both inside and around the chimney. The top has been capped off, what to do with the bottom? We are still using one of the flues for the woodstove, or I’d probably dismantle the whole thing. 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. Best chimney cap – Which is the best chimney capping method for you and product links provided. If your damper is near the firebox, you can use insulation to seal the chimney. FAQ: Why Do Some Builders Avoid Foam Insulation. A few things I’ve read suggest that capping it off can trap moisture and cause problems. Disadvantages. Don’t Trust Your Home to Just Any Chimney Sweep, Enjoy the Vibe of a Fire All Year with an Electric Fireplace, Essential Areas Examined in Level 1 Chimney Inspections, Facts About Chimney Cracks & How To Repair Them, Fall is the Time of Year to Make Sure Your Chimney is Clean & Safe, Fire Prep To-Do List Before the Season’s First Fire. Climb onto your roof to inspect the Usually unused chimneys are capped off with a bent sheet metal covering and perhaps a wire strap or weight on the top. Place the end of your tape measure against the side of the flue, which is the clay or metal tube coming out from the top of your chimney. Richard T. Kreh Sr., an author and masonry consultant, has some advice on what the best method is. What is Causing my Chimney Discoloration? But it is more expensive, costing more like £150. How Can You Fix Your Fireplace & Chimney Problems? Do Your Walls have Ghosting aka Soot Stains? This is the most expensive chimney cap option, with prices ranging from $900 to $2000+. This will allow air to pass through the chimney and help prevent problems caused by moisture. Call on the trained, certified chimney experts at Chimney Solutions for help with your retired chimney. ter portion of the flue.Note this illustration is not showing this correctly. However, this doesn’t apply all the time. 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. C-Caps Ltd is a leading manufacturer and supplier of chimney cowls for the protection of disused chimneys. For details of recommended fitters, along with chimney cap installation cost and chimney cap replacement cost, please read on. If there is no air flow in the chimney, moisture gets trapped and deterioration of the chimney structure will be accelerated. Cornish Crofter, Jul 6, 2008 #6. lionel hutz New Member. It’s Possible! The chimney is brick and sits in the center of our 120-year-old house. Once the chimney is capped, you should be able to remove the pipe and close the hole in the chimney with brick and such. Capping unused chimneys - flue ventilators UK. Capping Cowl for Unused Chimneys. Become a GBA Prime member and get full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and more. I hired roofers to remove the portion above the roof line and patch the roof. When water is able to pour directly into your chimney, it will be almost impossible to avoid major repairs from the resulting damage. Free postage. What Technicians Look for During a Chimney Inspection, What to Do if your Chimney Liner is Damaged. How to temporarily block a chimney If you want an easy way to temporarily block and unused fireplace flue to stop a draft, you should consider installing a top sealing damper. There was only mention of capping the chimney off, I would assume it has some sort of vent at the bottom. 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. As long as you have a masonry chimney, there is the possibility that moisture will get into the system and cause damage. It also needs to be done by a professional. The other option is getting your chimney fitted with a ‘cap’, normally made from terracotta. Top Cap Says: This is now the only cowl we use for unused chimney pots. CHIMNEY SPINNER COWL Stainless Steel, Rotating Wind Spinning Cap Vent Top Cover . Use a Breather Cowl Free postage. On the other hand it will prevent ventilation and drying in the two flues that will be capped. It is common for an unused chimney to be reused later on. 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. Capping off unused chimney. Is Your Money Going Up the Chimney? This video on chimney flues runs through the process of chimney flue and pot identification so you know which chimney is which, as well as smoke testing and how to measure a chimney … The new one will be direct vented through the side of the house. Update: we simply ignored this unused chimney for about a year. Capping the chimney will prevent any rainwater from entering the chimney space and causing issues related to damp and moisture. Extend the tape measure to find the total combined length of all the flues. Insulating the Bottom of the Chimney Once you've capped the top of the chimney, you will need to insulate the bottom of it. I have a brick chimney with two flues— one for a boiler, the other for an unused fireplace. It is shaped like a disk, as with the chimney caps for unused chimneys, but is fitted on legs, so that there is enough room beneath for smoke to pass out of the chimney. An unused chimney still draws, and will suck the heat out of your house. Why It’s Important to Close Your Damper in The Summer, Why the Lowest-Price Chimney Sweep May Be the Most Dangerous, Why You Should Inspect Your Chimney Flashing, Why You Shouldn’t Call a Roofer for Chimney Leaks, Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Chimney Maintenance, Why Your Chimney Is Leaning and What to Do About It. How should I close off the 4" diameter opening into the chimney, into which my old eater's galvanized vent was installed? It is common for an unused chimney to be reused later on. A chimney cap is a covering for the top of your chimney, and it usually includes wire mesh. The most simple chimney cap is also known as a raincap. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. It completely shuts down the chimney only allowing for the smallest of ventilation to clear any condensation and moisture build up. Does a flexible stainless steel chimney flue really need an insulation wrap? What’s the best way to close off an unused flue in a brick chimney? Discussion in 'Building' started by overlandrover, 14 Apr 2007. overlandrover. How to Close Up an Unused Fireplace. What Does a Chimney Sweep Service Provide? Closing of an unused chimney. 1,085 sold. The flue ventilator stops rain entry to the chimney but still allows a small amount of … Chimney Cracks – Should You Be Concerned? Movement in bricks as ice expands and contracts causes spalling, which means the brick begins to break up. We had full roof replaced when we moved in two years ago. Chimney cap. One old and virtually free method of capping off, or sealing a chimney that is generally no longer used is to make a lead cap. Do You Need a New Chimney? It also reduces outside noise significantly whilst completely stopping animals and debris deposits. Blocking off an old gas flue. Take measurements for the length, width, and height of the chimney’s flues. When Your Fire Isn’t Burning as Bright as It Used To, Why a Level 2 Inspection is Crucial To Buying A Home, Why Fireplace Repair is Only for Knowledgeable Experts, Why Gas Fireplaces Need Annual Inspections. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. Capping unused chimneys - flue ventilators UK. Blocking up an unused fireplace . Have Your Gas Fireplace Serviced This Spring, Help! If your chimney is open at the top but is not in use, rainwater can travel all the way down to the bottom of the chimney … Archive View Return to standard view. That’s actually a very good query but it’s not the only thing to consider. Water From My Chimney Is Leaking into My Home, Hire a Professional for a Fireplace/Stove Install. 14 watching. Typically, the tradespeople who fit caps are roofers and chimney sweeps. Why Is Firebox Cleaning an Important Part of Chimney Service? Galvanized steel is the least expensive, but it is prone to rust much more quickly than other options. Stainless Steel Chimney Flue Cowl Pipe Rain Cover Protector Cap Ending 60-250mm. I would put a metal cap over the top, fasten it down squirrel tight. We are replacing our traditional natural gas fired, water heater with a tankless one. £19.95. Women Chimney Sweeps Fine with the Dirty Work, Wood-Burning Fireplace versus Wood-Burning Stove, You Shouldn’t Use a Regular Vacuum to Clean A Fireplace, Flashing: A Leading Cause of Chimney Leaks. Check the Chimney Stack is not Capped. We’ve calculated that a chimney draught excluder can save you £17 per year – as well as 70kg of carbon dioxide emissions. Obviously, this option is not suited to every chimney, such as shared or very large stacks. 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. On top, it has an old, rusted rain cap (now closer to a funnel than a cap). last updated ... ( 400 x 400) siliconed on, as a quick & very durable solution but in my case I'd need TWO for each chimney, and they are ~ 7 kg each : I am a little worried that ... as it doesn't dry out if it's unused..! What’s the best way to close off an unused flue in a brick chimney? Capping an old chimney. During heavy rain i can hear drip in unused chimney The property is over 100 years old and is an miners row style terrace cottage - we are end terrace. #5: Customized Chimney Caps. Five Lessons for Heating Your Home with Wood, Flue & Chimney Liners: Important for Household Safety, Get a Chimney Inspection Before Selling your House, Get a Chimney Sweep and Chimney Inspection Before Colder Weather Arrives, Get A Fireplace To Enhance The Interior Of Your home, Getting Fireplace Ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Guide for Building a Fire in your Fireplace or Wood Stove. This won't delete the articles you've saved, just the list. Unused, though, they can waste a lot of heat up the chimney. Chimney damp will often occur if your chimney is unused and boarded up. An air-tight, adjustable cover helps improve fireplace efficiency while saving you money that would otherwise go up in smoke! When retiring a chimney, many chimney experts recommend using Roxul, a hydrophobic mineral wool insulation, which means that it will dry out if it ever gets wet. How to Block Off a Fireplace. Yes, chimneys need to breathe, even if they won’t be used anymore. Place the chimney cap over the flue liner and with the screwdriver, fasten it securely. In certain situations, there are no plans for future use of the chimney or fireplace. I have a 90 year old external brick chimney that has three separate flue passages. In some cases, it may involve capping a chimney off. It is taking quite a while to dry out (i have dehumidifier in there) the builder that did it said that we need to put two brick vents on the outside so that its vented and to help keep it dry. This has to be systematic. It’s important to remember that chimney leaks can still cause damage to your roof structure and home interior, even if the chimney is never used. Is it Easy to Convert a Wood-burning Fireplace to Gas? In addition, the home’s interior could be affected by moisture damage. Venting an old / unused chimney We have just had our old / unused chimney stack completely taken away and tiled over because it was causing damp on our upstairs bedroom wall. However, this doesn’t apply all the time. These chimney caps, or raincaps, come in a number of different colours to ensure that they blend in with your roof. Chimney Caps. Stainless steel chimney caps won’t rust, and they are very durable. A retired chimney should be sealed only at the top or bottom. A few things I’ve read suggest that capping it off can trap moisture and cause problems. How to permanently block a chimney You could go for an inflatable draught excluder, which will fit snugly inside your chimney. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. I have one which is capped, it has a chimney pot which is closed at the top, but surrounded by vents - so air can flow, but rain cannot get in. It also reduces outside noise significantly whilst completely stopping animals and debris deposits. ... Hancock & Brown Chimney Capping Cowl Powder Coated for Unused Chimneys Also Vents. What materials should I use besides cement/mortar? The heating contractor sealed the old exhaust opening in the basement using a metal plug and concrete patching compound. C-Caps Chimney Cowls. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. Click to enlarge illustration. Flue ventilators can be found on our chimney pot page. It completely shuts down the chimney only allowing for the smallest of ventilation to clear any condensation and moisture build up. Can I Use My Existing Chimney With a New Wood Stove? But it is important to maintain a flow of air through a redundant flue to prevent dampness problems in the chimney … Chimney Dampers and How they Can Save You Money, Chimney Evolution – Elimination of Smoky Fireplaces, Chimney Inspections Are Similar to Medical Check-ups, Chimney Restoration: Time to Reevaluate Your Heat Source, Common Causes of Fireplace-Related Home Fires, Common Off-Season Chimney Repairs Made by Homeowners, Creosote & Chimney Fires: What You Must Know, Creosote in Your Chimney: Types, Causes, and Remedies, Crumbly Chimney Masonry and How to Prevent Spalling, Custom Fireplace Designs for Your Interior Fireplace. In certain situations, there are no plans for future use of the chimney or fireplace. In addition to keeping moisture out of a chimney, chimney caps with mesh prevent animals from getting in and sparks from getting out. Exterior or interior? However, before doing anything to the chimney and fireplace, every bit of information for this kind of task must be available. None have been used in the nearly 30 years that I have been in the home but I am contemplating installing a wood burning stove in one of the fireplaces and using one of the flues. Strap Fix. 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. If moisture gets into masonry, deterioration occurs because of freezing and thawing cycles. Please do not assume that because it looks clear it is suitable for a fire that has any kind … Just wondering if I should cap it off completely at the roof or more of a vent style cap with mesh to let the condensation to evaporate that may form inside the flue. This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. This chimney cap is often the solution for draft problems when no other solution is effective. For details of recommended fitters, along with chimney cap installation cost and chimney cap replacement cost, please read on. _____ The Difference Between Wood Fireplaces and Wood Stoves? 7 Benefits of Heating with a Fireplace or Wood Stove, Ten Benefits of a Zero Clearance Fireplace, Why and How to Reduce Creosote in your Chimney Lining, Reasons Annual Chimney Inspections Should be a Priority, Fabulous Fireplaces- Celebrities, Movies, & the Titanic, Build a Fire that Has Your Favorite Characteristics, Child Chimney Sweeps: Dark Chapter in Sweep History, Understanding CSIA Certification & NCSG Membership, Why it’s Important to Choose Local Firewood, U.S. Household Fires Provide Lessons In Safety, How To Have a More Eco-Friendly FirePlace, National Fire Prevention Week is Oct 6 – 12, Don’t Cut Out Chimney Maintenance to Save Money, 8 Clues that Your Chimney May Need Repairs, 5 Benefits of Switching to a Fireplace Insert, Differences Between Masonry & Factory-Built Fireplaces, Burning Wood Is an Eco-Friendly Way to Heat your Home, Spring Cleaning Should Include the Chimney & Fireplace, 10 Things to Know Before Hiring a Chimney Sweep. A chimney cap is a covering for the top of your chimney, and it usually includes wire mesh. Chimney lining companies are always removing these as people seem to think they can use them with gas and solid fuel fires whereas they can't. The expanded galvanized steel mesh protects against animal infestation. Last year we had our soild fuel boiler replaced by an electric boiler. Call us today at (770) 691-6707. A: Unused flues should be capped at the top, to minimise rainwater ingress. The rain cannot get in, but it is not sealed air tight, which does allow any inside moisture to slowly get out. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. This provides better insulation and protection, from moisture and birds as well as draughts. Even with the damper closed, the fireplace flue seems to dump cold air into the house all winter, so I’d like to seal it up. Copper chimney caps are the most decorative and most expensive. The company I occasionally use flogs 2nd hand ones if anyone want them. What Gas & Wood Burning Chimneys Have in Common. One is an inflatable balloon-type product that will seal the flue. 12 September 2008 at 11:29AM edited 30 November -1 at 12:00AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving. If you need your chimney capped, or you would like the capping removed we can convert your chimney to … Wet Winter Weather Can Be Tough On Chimneys, 3 Types of Chimney Damage Caused by Moisture, Trust Your Chimney to a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, White Staining Is More Than an Aesthetic Problem. In some cases, it may involve capping a chimney off. Capping an unused chimney/flue. What are the benefits of a wood stove versus a traditional fireplace? When is a Chimney Relining Definitely Needed? Wolverhampton Chimney capping protects unused chimneys from the elements, it is usually a stone or slate slab cut to fit the top of the chimney and cemented in place. Even new cast-iron dampers allow air loss. The battle to keep moisture out of the chimney is the same whether it’s in use or not. Alternatively, you can get a galvanized chimney cap, which will cost a little less but does not last for a long time. Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8-14: Plan TWO Ways Out! You can choose from several materials for a chimney cap. . These can simply be made out of a scrap or an offcut of lead, beaten into the correct shape and bonded to the top of most chimney pots to effectively seal it and make it waterproof. 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. Here’s How to Tell. Galvanized Steel Fixed Chimney Cap in Black The GAF Master Flow Chimney caps provide The GAF Master Flow Chimney caps provide protection against dangerous sparks while reducing downdrafts, clogging, soot, and creosote build-up. 4.4 out of 5 stars 88. Learn how to repair and install a chimney cap. 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. The battle to keep moisture out of the chimney is the same whether it’s in use or not. We can help you avoid expensive repair costs associated with an appliance you don’t even use anymore. Typically, the tradespeople who fit caps are roofers and chimney sweeps. 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The woodstove, or raincaps, come in a number of different colours to that... The Summer which could cause injuries and household damage animals and debris deposits for an chimney., every bit of information for this kind of task must be available animal infestation a: flues! Full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and height the... It with concrete click on them we may earn a small vent, so moisture can get... Does it Work ’ d probably dismantle the whole thing of ventilation clear. Last for a long time as you have a masonry chimney, chimney caps won ’ t have installed. Of recommended fitters, along with chimney cap you Fix your fireplace & how does it Work the..., and basement retiring a chimney is brick and sits in the two that. 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