How to block off chimney?

C

caspermoo

Guest
Our old dining room is being converted into a utility room (it will now be a completely internal room) and the chimney has been blocked off by the builder using just plasterboard with no insulation behind it. The rest of the plaster in the room is drying out but this piece of plaster is still very wet. The builder insists that this is an ok way to block off the chimney but to me that part of the wall feels very cold?
Any opinions? The builder is grand and seems to be doing a great job elsewhere but he's behind schedule with the whole thing and I'm afraid he's cutting corners now to catch up.
 
You need to leave some ventilation of the chimney or it will lead to problems in the future. There are a few previous threads here on this topic, try the search facility.
Leo
 
Get a chimney cowl fitted to cancel the updraft and leave a small vent near the floor to allow fresh air to draw through the chimney flue and thus prevent moisture build up and probable mould issues in the cavity.

You could also instruct the builder to use warmboard, insulation backed plasterboard, to minimise the surface cold on the wall.
 
Might be crackers, but I use a pillow to kill the chimney draught. It's removable, easily replaceable, efficient and best of all, cheap. It really works. Just need to make sure you stuff it up far enough so that your visitors don't spot it when they sit down in the room. That can be slightly embarrassing.
 
Thx for the replies. I spoke to our builder and he's going to put a vent at the bottom. He's reluctant to put the insulation in because that would mean having to pull it out and start again and as I said he's behind schedule and in a hurry to be out for Christmas but I know he'll do it if I insist.

I like the idea of the chimney cowl. Can they be fitted if the chimney is already blocked? Can they do all they need to do from on top of the roof?

Re: the pillow, we've done that too, EithneAngela so if you're crackers then we are too!
 
The chimney cowl is fitted at the top, as for stuffing a pillow up it can be a bit dangerous if you light a fire having forgot to take it out but have to admit I have stuffed newspapers up, now I just put a board accross for the windy winter nights and remove it for the warmer summer days when we get em.
 
Re: Chimney cowl - You will have to remove plaster board if you want a cowl you can close (ie a spring loaded one) as the chain will have to be attached somewhere at the base of the chimney.

If you are getting one, make sure the tension on the spring is not too much as this makes gettting a seal on the cowl difficult and puts a lot of strain on whatever you have the chain fixed to.
 
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