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Chimney and draughtproofing

  • 07-12-2011 10:09am
    #1
    Maggy157
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭


    We have an upstairs bedroom in a house built in 1904 rathmines area. Its a two story house with returns so this is in the highest return. The room has a fireplace which we are considering blocking or mayb just drUghtproofing. My question is if i use the chimney balloon system am i ruling out the use of the downstaris stove as its the same chimney breast. Advice appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    AnCatDubh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,393 ✭✭✭AnCatDubh


    Moved from podcasting (!) Better chance of an answer here perhaps. Mods feel free to move again if there is somewhere more appropriate.

    Cheers.


  • #3
    Carlow52
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,389 ✭✭✭Carlow52


    Maggy157 wrote: »
    We have an upstairs bedroom in a house built in 1904 rathmines area. Its a two story house with returns so this is in the highest return. The room has a fireplace which we are considering blocking or mayb just drUghtproofing. My question is if i use the chimney balloon system am i ruling out the use of the downstaris stove as its the same chimney breast. Advice appreciated.


    it should be a separate flue in the same chimney stack: if so then okay.

    re the balloon, there is a body of opinion out there which says that there should be some air allowed into the flue, especially old flues, some folk use bubble-wrap in a plastic bag and put a piece of 1/2" or 3/4" inch plastic pipe through the middle of the bubble warp so as to allow some air up.
    Just an idea: the balloon will be a 100% seal


  • #4
    Maggy157
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭Maggy157


    Thanks for reply, i know what you re saying re:100%seal i'll have to rethink, im worried about safety. Could bubblewrap be a fire hazard?


  • #5
    Carlow52
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,389 ✭✭✭Carlow52


    Maggy157 wrote: »
    Thanks for reply, i know what you re saying re:100%seal i'll have to rethink, im worried about safety. Could bubblewrap be a fire hazard?

    If the 2 flues are in good nick and you leave something to remind u that chimney is stuffed then no risk, what happens with a lot of folks whether it be a proper damper or a chimney balloon or what ever, is they forget and light the fire, smoke in the room is the reminder


  • #6
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,555 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    A house built in 1904 wont have liners, just brick flues unless someone took it down and rebuilt in the interim. Care needs to be exercised in this instance.

    The front of the fireplace/hearth could be closed up with plasterboard with a vent left in same. In any event its probably best to get a professional on board.


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  • #7
    Slig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,550 ✭✭✭Slig


    The chimney balloon is designed to burst if there is substantial heat underneath it so if someone accidentally lights a fire without knowing the chimney is blocked the blockage will be removed. That said, the deaths in Sligo were the result of a crisp packet blocking the flue.
    There is alot of focus on carbon monoxide poisoning right now, so much so that there is an amendment planned to the building regs to make carbon monoxide detectors compulsory.
    If it were my house I would block up the actual fireplace and leave the chimney open. It would then be easy to put in a small vent into the cover piece to keep both the chimney dry and the room ventilated.


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