Capping a Chimney (Old House - bad idea?)

NobodyImportant

I'm looking to cap two chimneys going from the bedrooms. We dont use the fireplaces and there is an updraft pulling air out of the room and up the Chimney. Chimney balloons wont work as the apeture is too wide.

I've got quotes to cap the chimney, but I've read in the odd place that you shouldnt cap these as they can get damp over time.

Any truth to that? I would have thought that without rain getting in, warmth from the rooms or neighbouring chimneys etc would keep it pretty dry.

dpofloinn

The dampness is to do with air circulation rather than rain ingress the chimney to a certain extent provides ventilation in the room.

NobodyImportant

I'm not so much worried about dampness in the house, but will any end up in the chimney from exterior penetration or rising moist air where it cannot escape?

old house.....

dpofloinn

Realistically if your chimney is in good condition and you have adequate ventilation in the room(s) and of course if you have a reliable professional doing the capping for you then I think you will have nothing to worry about

btb

Use this,

http://www.chimneycowlproducts.ie/acatalog/Disused_Chimney_Terracotta_Cap.html

stops downdraught/ water ingress and allows chimney to breathe.

NIMAN

I replaced a solid fuel range in my kitchen with a gas/electric cooker, and was advised to put one of these on my chimney outside



Was going to get the chimney cemented over, but was told chimney needed to breathe but also needed to stop rain getting down in any great quantity.