What is the best way to block up an unusable fireplace?
October 2, 2011 5:47 PM Subscribe
What is the best way to block up an unusable fireplace?
I have an unusable fireplace in my apartment at the foot of my bed (pictured here). The problem is, fairly often, soot and dirt drops down, sometimes in large piles, waking myself and my girlfriend up. In addition to this, our room often smells like a chimney, and part of me wonders if it's affecting our respiratory systems because we're always coughing. Does anyone know of a good way to get this plugged up so I don't have to deal with the musty smell and the dirt the drops down all the time? I've looked around online, but can't seem to find the perfect thing.
I have an unusable fireplace in my apartment at the foot of my bed (pictured here). The problem is, fairly often, soot and dirt drops down, sometimes in large piles, waking myself and my girlfriend up. In addition to this, our room often smells like a chimney, and part of me wonders if it's affecting our respiratory systems because we're always coughing. Does anyone know of a good way to get this plugged up so I don't have to deal with the musty smell and the dirt the drops down all the time? I've looked around online, but can't seem to find the perfect thing.
A bit of cement sheet is all this needs, screwed in to the bricks. Not something I would do without written permission from the landlord. But cheap and quick and easy, assuming you have a power drill and a hardware store nearby.
That is a massive insulation hole too, you'd lose a lot of heat, so it should be blocked up properly.
First best solution, the thing you'd do if you were the owner, would be to block the hole on the roof so water cannot penetrate. But as the tenant that's not really your problem.
posted by wilful at 6:41 PM on October 2, 2011
That is a massive insulation hole too, you'd lose a lot of heat, so it should be blocked up properly.
First best solution, the thing you'd do if you were the owner, would be to block the hole on the roof so water cannot penetrate. But as the tenant that's not really your problem.
posted by wilful at 6:41 PM on October 2, 2011
Water entering could be a problem if mold grows.
First I'd talk to the landlord if you're renting, and if there's no response, shove it full of insulation and cover it up with plywood and a bookshelf. When you leave, take the bookshelf and leave the resulting mess behind the plywood for the landlord.
Otherwise, if it's your place, get the chimney cleaned first, then the stack on the roof sealed, then insulate and block. Try to do it all before wet weather arrives.
posted by BlueHorse at 8:38 PM on October 2, 2011
First I'd talk to the landlord if you're renting, and if there's no response, shove it full of insulation and cover it up with plywood and a bookshelf. When you leave, take the bookshelf and leave the resulting mess behind the plywood for the landlord.
Otherwise, if it's your place, get the chimney cleaned first, then the stack on the roof sealed, then insulate and block. Try to do it all before wet weather arrives.
posted by BlueHorse at 8:38 PM on October 2, 2011
What do you mean by "unusable"? Is the chimney blocked up? If not, you have a massive heat loss issue. The easiest and wholly non-invasive way to solve this is with something called a chimney balloon. It's a balloon of heavy plastic shaped to fit the inside of your flue.
In fact, anyone with a chimney who doesn't use their fireplace regularly should have one. People don't realize how much heat -- money -- is going right out through the fireplace, and yes, even when you're using it this is the case (but in that case you don't want the chimney balloon in!).
We have one that's been in place since last November. Round about now I should be checking to see if it's still properly inflated.
All that said, it also sounds like your chimney needs cleaning (sweeping). If it isn't blocked off up top, this could be tricky, but not necessarily impossible; you'll just have to call around to chimney sweeps to see what they say. Make sure your landlord will spring for this, first, of course, or handle it himself. Finally, and again if the chimney is not blocked, see about having a chimney cap installed, as this will prevent debris and most birds or other vermin from getting into the disused flue (and potentially, your living area) and creating a mess.
posted by dhartung at 10:23 PM on October 2, 2011
In fact, anyone with a chimney who doesn't use their fireplace regularly should have one. People don't realize how much heat -- money -- is going right out through the fireplace, and yes, even when you're using it this is the case (but in that case you don't want the chimney balloon in!).
We have one that's been in place since last November. Round about now I should be checking to see if it's still properly inflated.
All that said, it also sounds like your chimney needs cleaning (sweeping). If it isn't blocked off up top, this could be tricky, but not necessarily impossible; you'll just have to call around to chimney sweeps to see what they say. Make sure your landlord will spring for this, first, of course, or handle it himself. Finally, and again if the chimney is not blocked, see about having a chimney cap installed, as this will prevent debris and most birds or other vermin from getting into the disused flue (and potentially, your living area) and creating a mess.
posted by dhartung at 10:23 PM on October 2, 2011
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posted by dilettante at 6:04 PM on October 2, 2011