Fireplace draught

hotpotato

Hi! We've just moved into a newly refurbished period house and it is freezing

The chimneys are really cold.

Has anyone any success with blocking them off? What did they use and where did you get them?

Carpenter

I have done a few over the years by sealing them and then putting in a shelf it actually looks quiet well

FunkSoulSista

How about a chimney balloon?

hotpotato

Would you know whether the balloon or the shelf is the best solution?

Idbatterim

if its a rental just get the baloon...

HeidiHeidi

Plastic sack filled with styrofoam beads, which I happened to have from some appliance delivery at the time.

Or a chimney balloon.

ETA - howevwer my final, and best, solution was to have a stove fitted

Victor

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Plastic sack filled with styrofoam beads, which I happened to have from some appliance delivery at the time.

Given that this is unconventional, one has to fear a chimney fire at minimum and potentially carbon monoxide poisoning or a house fire.

HeidiHeidi

Victor wrote: »

Given that this is unconventional, one has to fear a chimney fire at minimum and potentially carbon monoxide poisoning or a house fire.

Jaysus, NOT to be used in a fireplace that's being used for lighting fires, obviously!

Or if it wasn't obvious then apologies, but I had assumed the OP was taking about a fireplace that's not in use.

Alf Veedersane

Chimney balloons are the best option if there is no other means of ventilation in the room. In older houses, the fireplace would have been the source of ventilation.

It's probably the most hassle-free option that doesn't involve stuffing various materials up there

hotpotato

Was talking about not using the fireplace at all to be honest.

I've been reading about flu damp in the meantime and balloons not being that great.

The comment about a stove being the best option is now giving me food for thought.

Would a glass fronted gas fire be just as good do you know?

Alf Veedersane

hotpotato wrote: »

Was talking about not using the fireplace at all to be honest.

I've been reading about flu damp in the meantime and balloons not being that great.

The comment about a stove being the best option is now giving me food for thought.

Would a glass fronted gas fire be just as good do you know?

I was just working off the basis that you may not own.

A stove would indeed be the better bet. Glass-fronted stoves are more efficient than open-fronted gas fires. An open-fronted gas fire would be doing well to reach 65% efficiency whereas a lass-fronted stove would typically exceed 80% efficiency.

Victor

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Jaysus, NOT to be used in a fireplace that's being used for lighting fires, obviously!

Or if it wasn't obvious then apologies, but I had assumed the OP was taking about a fireplace that's not in use.

The problem is that someone else might start a fire. A bag of Styrofoam would be much more dangerous than a chimney balloon.

hotpotato

Sorry, could I just clarify that open fronted gas fire would include glass covered? I would have thought a glass fronted gas fire is closed?

Alf Veedersane

hotpotato wrote: »

Sorry, could I just clarify that open fronted gas fire would include glass covered? I would have thought a glass fronted gas fire is closed?

Glass fronted fires are closed.

Open-fronted have no glass. They look real and you can reach in and touch the fake fuel. Though I wouldn't advise doing that when there's a flame....

HeidiHeidi

Victor wrote: »

The problem is that someone else might start a fire. A bag of Styrofoam would be much more dangerous than a chimney balloon.

Well now anyone who lights a fire without first checking that there isn't a chimney balloon/birds nest/buid-up-of-soot/stray branches, never mind a bag of styrofoam, up there needs their head examined IMO. The finer details of what is blocking the chimney are sort of irrelevant at that point.

However, I have clarified that I am talking about blocking the chimney of a fireplace that IS NOT IN USE.

Graces7

large piece of wood, place upright across in front of fire opening. add large stone or other heavy object to hold it upright.... That is what I do.. oh or in this room a thick curtain works well