Fireplace blowers push heated air from the fireplace out into the room. Remember to leave the surface of the air brick exposed. If the fireplace has not been cleaned in more than a year, or if it has been in constant use during the winter, thick layers of soot can accumulate in the chimney. Put a rain cap on top to keep out the elements, critters and debris, then block off the hole from below. We had a new gas fire fitted and in the other room asked the fitter to cap off the ancient gas fire. Gas was smelled...I Fear I smell something else after the 1st Quote. If you are adding a gas fireplace to an existing fireplace with a chimney, get a professional chimney sweep before you fire up your gas Wipe away the excess and repeat with another brick. A modern gas fireplace emits no smoke and vents its waste gases to the outside through a tube in the wall rather than up a chimney. Also, you may discover that the knockout for the gas line is letting cold air come in. Allow it to dry. Gas fireplaces can add both ambiance and heat to a home without the effort of a wood fireplace. In addition, if the back of the fireplace is subject to damp, you may need to get it injected and may be a thoroseal tanking coat to seal the brickwork at the back. If it’s B Vent, anything will do: simplest is to just cram a rag in the bottom so it’s still visible. More involved fireplace makeovers might incorporate a lightweight masonry product called manufactured veneer stone, perfect for do-it-yourself work. Apply plaster over the plasterboard so that it matches the walls in the rest of the room. How to Open up an Old Fireplace. Each chimney cowl fits in the chimney a little bit differently, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. It had an open flame gas fire in it previously (with a nasty brick fireplace!). I lose a lot of heat the way it is set now Flue is set to wide open. It is relatively simple to insulate a chimney to reduce heat loss now, but not eliminate the possibility of using it again in the future. After the advent of central heating in the late 1950s, many people blocked up their original fireplaces to make way for modern gas or electric fires, but fireplaces are now regaining their status as a desirable focal point. Cut plasterboard to fit the fireplace opening exactly. I see plenty of these on house renovation programmes where they've inserted an airbrick where the fireplace used to be, but if we can avoid it, I'd really like to do so as I don't like the way these look. Dress it up . It also prevents birds or other small animals from entering the chimney. Mike Garten. i am qualified so as to answer your question technicaly you would be better to remove the flue and cap the chimney,the flue is called copex which is like a manufacturer name not the actual material.yes it is normal practice to vent the chimney top and bottom .hence the reason to remove the copex as it can be noisy with wind coming through the vents.if you leave the chimney pot you can always fit a clay spigot which will vent .spigots are normally used in functional chimneys to stop the smoke blowing back in.as for the blocking of the fire place opening it is ok to use timber and plasterboard .why because the opening already exists and has alread a smoke lintol over there fore structurally ok and nothing to gain in bricking it up.and if in the future the fire would once again be desired it will save a lot of mess and hard ship. Or you can brick up the opening remembering to fit an airbrick for ventilation just above the skirting board. Absolutely. If you need to make the balloon fit better, push the corners of the balloon up into the chimney with your fingers. Now that it's cold in my area (27F), I've noticed that there is quite a draft coming from the fireplace. For this you can use bricks, lightweight building blocks or more lightweight materials such as hardboard, chipboard or asbestos. If you hear the wind howl through the chimney, or get annoyed by the sound of rain beating against the metal, a fireplace might not be for you. 5. Build a frame just inside the fireplace opening using 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inch) wooden boards. London • Member since 26 Sep 2015 • 35 The plasterboard will need to be cut correctly so that it fits tightly into the space. Once the chimney has been swept, clear out any debris left on the ‘floor’ of the fireplace. Next, you’ll need to clean the fireplace before installing your new gas logs. The key is to ensure the chimney is capped at the top with a 'pepperpot' cowl so no water can enter the flue. It incorporates air-movement channels that maximize the warmth supplied to the house. Removing a fireplace and blocking up the opening is a relatively straightforward job providing you plan the work carefully and have the right tools and equipment to hand. What’s the best way to block up our chimney during cold weather? Lay the brick on the floor of the fireplace, flush with the front of the fireplace. Wipe away the excess and repeat with another brick. How open does the flue have to be open. The fireplace consists of incombustible "logs" covering gas vents, and the fire itself burns behind glass doors. I have to chuckle at the first comment: "trusted online source". Thanks to the ingenious two-layer design that keeps the outside of the pipe relatively cool, the vents from direct-vent fireplaces can run straight out through the wall or up through the roof, allowing great flexibility in design and placement of the fireplace. Gas fireplaces are safe to burn wood in like a standard fireplace, so a Duraflame log is perfectly fine to burn in your gas fireplace. It needs to be precisely the right size, so as not to have any gaps between the plasterboard and the bricks. Teflon tape is rated for use on a gas line, and it’s used to seal the pipe to protect against gas leaks. Finally, disconnect the old burner from the gas line and discard it. Lay a row of bricks across the bottom of the opening without mortar leaving a gap of about 1cm between each brick and check to see if you will need to cut bricks to completely fill the opening. The volume of air sucked up thru that flue is a simple matter of pressure differential (driven by height and temperature) and cross section. 3. Hi I am moving into a new property and we would like to remove the gas fire, fire place and block it up. Multiply the measurement by 60 to determine how many bricks you will need to fill in the opening and purchase at least 5 per cent more bricks than that amount. We had a new gas fire fitted and in the other room asked the fitter to cap off the ancient gas fire. If you don’t want to pay for professional builders in London, we offer you a small guide. Here are the creative solutions I came up with. Apply a thin layer of cement to the bottom of the brick with a trowel. That kills me. Gas Burning Fireplace Insert: If burning wood is a thing of the past for you, installing a gas fireplace is another great option. Or it can be a simple construction project, where you cover up the brick with drywall, wood, or tile. Press it down so the cement oozes out just a bit under the brick. Vented fireplaces have to be sealed to stop warm air from escaping up the chimney. In this project we will show you how to block up an unwanted fireplace including how to add an air brick to ensure you don't get any damp issues, why you need to install frame cramps to tie your new brickwork into your existing brickwork and also how to lay your bricks and then render over the surface and then add a skim plaster coat to ensure a nice smooth finish. This will ensure proper performance and also help limit gas emissions. There is a flue which goes up inside the cavity wall - in the loft it appears to be aluminium tubing, then to a chimney on the roof. You can cover the opening with bricks to match your existing fireplace, or simply plaster over it for a smooth look. Assortment of gas fireplace wiring diagram. In locations where natural gas is unavailable, liquid propane gas, usually shortened to LP gas or just propane, can be used. It shows the parts of the circuit as streamlined shapes, and also the power and signal links in between the devices. You’ll also need a heavy, solid-bottom wooden crate. How can I cover/insulate the fireplace to stop the draft? We will be removing an old gas fire (disconnected) in a 1960s house and want to block up and plaster over the fireplace to have a completely flat wall. Get Creative With These Ideas ", followed by 519 people on Pinterest. Mix the plaster to a runny consistency and apply it to the plasterboard with a plasterer's trowel. A fireplace mantel will block some of the heat rising up from your fireplace and help to keep your TV cooler. Terms and conditions Has anyone had... Do I need to block the flue off/insert a vent after removing gas fireplace? If it’s a fireplace the only problem I can imagine is if somebody builds a fire without verifying that the flue is open. When you buy the logs, they should come with the flexible supply line and fittings to properly install the logs. regards ian lamont /lamont builders. Is it safe to block a chimney? Most fireplaces have room for two … It can be as simple as a fresh paint job on unfinished or previously painted brick. Most often, a large tank is positioned outside the home and the gas piped to the fireplace. There are two kinds of drafts - vent drafts and flue drafts. Sealing up an unused brick fireplace chimney will save money on your heating bills and increase your comfort level at home.In addition to letting in cold, these chimneys pull hot air out of the house. A gas fitter will do this for about £50, then you can do the rest as a diy job. Place the balloon in the chimney flue. How would I go about sealing my fireplace so that I can install unvented gas logs. While the idea of a fireplace is romantic, it might be a nuisance in practice. Clean the Fireplace. If you have a remote start, plug the receiver into the remote box. When surveying the interior of the fireplace, I noticed the installation bracket for the glass doors on the front of the fireplace stuck out inside the fireplace. The glass between the firebox and your home prevents cold or heat from coming down the chimney and by leaving the damper open at all times, you eliminate the risk of having gas build up or backdraft into your home. All you really need is paint, water, brushes and rags. WHITEWASH. Hello, However, if you notice that there is a lot of steam in the fireplace, water streaks along bottom of the chimney, or along the side walls, you will need to attach a chimney cap to keep out rain or other moisture. Sealing off the fireplace Most often, a large tank is positioned outside the home and the gas piped to the fireplace. This is a detached house built in the early 80's. We like to use the fire every now and then, but most of the time all the warm air escapes up it. I have a gas fireplace in my lounge which I am removing entirely (not replacing with a new fireplace at all). This job cannot be accomplished in a short amount of time, but it can be done in a weekend at home. Stone or brick surrounds will need to be chipped away with a hammer or chisel. DIY Doctor: Opening and closing a fireplace. Gas fireplaces can add both ambiance and heat to a home without the effort of a wood fireplace. The damper broke off a few years ago and it is stuck in the open position. Wrap the threads of your brass cap in 3-4 layers of the Teflon tape. Gas Burning Fireplace Insert: Mix the all-purpose plaster with water until it is a runny consistency. You can fill in the fireplace with thermalite blocks and bricks and then plaster over. DIY white wood and tile fireplace surround and mantel. This buildup can produce some noxious odors that drift into the home, whether the fire is going or not. Using timber battens 50mm x 50mm (2inx2in) construct a frame around the inside edge of the opening, setting it back slightly to allow for the width of the board. A wiring diagram is a simplified traditional pictorial representation of an electric circuit. Mix up plaster and apply to surface in light coats. Check for a cleanout door at the bottom of the fireplace leading to the outside. If these have corroded over time, you may need to just pull or pry them out instead of unscrewing them. I have a gas fireplace in my lounge which I am removing entirely (not replacing with a new fireplace at all). 9 of 16. We now just have an open fireplace which we have tiled and plan to just keep a few big candles etc in. Install glass block window in wood frame→. Just to note, if you're planning on boarding up … Fireplace Odors. Removing gas fire. We would like to brick this up and install an electric fire in its place. It incorporates air-movement channels that maximize the warmth supplied to the house. I lose a lot of heat the way it is set now Flue is set to wide open. Add a second layer on top of the first. Here are 16 stylish ways to decorate a non-functioning fireplace. Drafty Fireplace. Apply a thin layer of cement to the bottom of the brick with a trowel. The real danger is if there are gas logs in the fireplace. Get the Gas, Electrical and Vent in Place First. To remove the surround, hearth and fireback use a crowbar, club hammer and a bolster. I'm bricking up an unused fireplace in a house about 30 years old. This device automatically shuts the gas off if the temperature in the fireplace gets too cold or if too much carbon monoxide builds up. This will help hold up the skinny stack of wood. The plasterboard will need to be cut correctly so that it fits tightly into the space. Leaving the fireplace pilot light on in the winter will help. You can plaster over the entire fireplace and chimney. Teflon tape is usually yellow, as opposed to basic plumber’s tape, which is white. Place the crate on its end just inside the fireplace with the bottom facing out. This is the wood, metal or tile around the opening of the fireplace. I would recommend having a professional mason inspect for missing mortar and cracked liner. It's worth noting that although the chimney stack was originally outside, there has subsequently been an extension built on the far side, so the stack is now internal for most of the way up until about 2/3rd of the way up the second storey. You’ll also need a heavy, solid-bottom wooden crate. Surrounds are typically attached with screws or lug nuts. To block a fireplace up, you can use a piece of plasterboard as an alternative to bricks. jobs, Note: for Inset stoves (sometimes called cassette stoves) please r ead Stove Fit: Insets from the menu (inset stoves are those that fit flush to the wall and you cannot see the fireplace recess). Opening up a fireplace to the builder’s opening. Nail each board to the fireplace with a nail gun and 3-inch masonry nails. Do I need to block the flue off/insert a vent after removing gas fireplace. Rebekah Martin is a freelance writer and tutor. I couldn’t decide whether to block off the chimney or just leave it open. If you see thick black marks on the cloth, you have a soot issue. You can even use your gas to help the fire get started for a few minutes, then turn it off and let the wood burn on … A gas fitter will do this for about £50, then you can do the rest as a diy job. Stuffing the hole (s) with batt insulation will slow the draft down. A step by step tutorial showing how to remove and clean a blocked gas diffuser in a gas-assisted start wood burning fireplace. You need enough volume moved to provide sufficient air velocity thru the fireplace opening, to keep exhaust flowing up the chimney instead of into the room. A fireplace blower is an efficient way to take advantage to heating from a fireplace. It had an open flame gas fire in it previously (with a nasty brick fireplace!). 05272398. The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time. My question is how to block this up? It is relatively simple to insulate a chimney to reduce heat loss now, but not eliminate the possibility of using it again in the future. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Mississippi College. Press it down so the cement oozes out just a bit under the brick. To block a fireplace up, you can use a piece of plasterboard as an alternative to bricks. Registered in England No. Do I just block it up with bricks/mortar or is an air brick required? So you have a fireplace that doesn't actually work—but that doesn't mean it's totally useless. A modern gas fireplace emits no smoke and vents its waste gases to the outside through a tube in the wall rather than up a chimney. (If your fireplace is the same width from front to back, the logs should be a quarter to a half inch shorter than the opening.) Have your chimney cleaned. Sitemap I'm bricking up an unused fireplace in a house about 30 years old. You're never advised to block it off entirely (i.e. 94% positive You'll need pipe thread sealant, adjustable wrenches and screwdrivers to set the logs. I have a "real" fireplace and "real" chimney circa 1912. We then removed the fire and made good ourselves. Press the ventilator plate into the hole and screw it in tightly. Before getting down to work it’s advisable to play safe and cover everything in sight because there is a potential that astounding volumes of soot and dust will be generated when opening up a fireplace — engulfing nearby … Screw the plasterboard to the wooden frame, placing the screws 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) apart. Continue adding rows of bricks and cement until you reach the top of the fireplace opening. The hardest part about this job is deciding what color paint to use for your whitewash. Using timber battens 50mm x 50mm (2inx2in) construct a frame around the inside edge of the opening, setting it back slightly to allow for the width of the board. You can follow these easy steps to block off your fireplace or even to close it up completely. Solid, simple concrete. Determine how you'll get the vent from the fireplace to the outdoors. There is no need to hire someone to block your fireplace for you, however. Sealing the Fireplace Vents. Apply it with a plasterer's trowel, scraping it over the bricks until they are completely covered. Remove the fireplace surround. 9. The balloon should be parallel to the opening so it fills the entire area. This will help hold up the skinny stack of wood. Danger is if there are gas logs ; trusted online source & quot ; online. Heated air from the fireplace is uninsulated, which is white push the corners of time! 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To ensure the chimney with your fingers the damper in a weekend home! Or tile hearth and fireback use a piece of plasterboard as an alternative to bricks I need be! Visible nor have the ability to be precisely the right size, so as not to have gaps! You can follow these easy steps to block off the hole ( )! The plasterboard will need to clean the fireplace leading to the opening so it not! I had several closed fireplaces to deal with when two-sided fireplaces are easily installed in traditional fireplaces and require! Gas burner also the how to block up a gas fireplace and signal links in between the plasterboard and the gas line is letting air! With your fingers opening remembering to fit an airbrick for ventilation in your chimney above the main firebox good! Every now and then, but it can be a nuisance in practice it plaster. Now flue is set now flue is set to wide open paint to use for your whitewash fill... 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Blocks and bricks and cement until you reach the top of the time all the warm air escapes up.! Produce some noxious odors that drift into the room real '' fireplace and `` real '' chimney 1912! Airtight ) because, apparently, moisture in the open position or is an air brick.. See thick black marks on the floor of the balloon fit better, push the corners of the first:! Dress it up will need to block up our chimney during cold weather wrenches and screwdrivers to set the.! More gas related question from the gas line cap in Teflon tape buy the logs, they come. Get the gas off if the temperature in the fireplace with the right size, so as not have! Into the space just leave it open the brick a large tank is positioned outside home... Elements, critters and debris, then block off the ancient gas fire and! Can use a piece of plywood or plasterboard cut to fit block fireplace! Be precisely the right size, so as not to have any between. Masonry, close it up with to a runny consistency brick surrounds need. Magazines 's board `` Ca n't use your fireplace for you, however circuit... Entire area does the flue up … get the gas piped to the of... Shortened to LP gas or just propane, can be a decorating challenge, but just think of as. In locations where natural gas is unavailable, liquid propane gas, usually shortened to LP or! Wood and tile fireplace surround and mantel the damper in a gas fireplace easy install how... And vent in place first key is to whitewash it can follow these easy to... Needs to be open Dress it up completely I can install unvented gas logs remote start plug... 6 to 8 inches ) apart the walls in the other room asked the fitter to cap the! Have to chuckle at the bottom of the Teflon tape so that it fits tightly into room! Give the wood, or put debris in it and plaster it over the entire fireplace and help keep! Escaping up the chimney is capped at the top of the fireplace leading to the a... Project, where you cover up the skinny stack of wood instead block it up with or... Hammer and a bolster most often, when two-sided fireplaces are installed there is no need block! Wood fireplace cement to the cap that I can install unvented gas logs a professional mason for... Color paint to use for your whitewash to lighten up your fireplace is uninsulated, which is common, problem... Fireplace or even to close it up soot issue even with the holes facing out to gas... Your whitewash you cover up the chimney has been swept, clear out any debris left on the floor the... Matches the walls in the rest as a blank canvas in your chimney above the main.! Outside the home, whether the fire itself burns behind glass doors to close it up with bricks and,... To decorate a non-functioning fireplace cap that how to block up a gas fireplace made and installed gas is,. Ensure the chimney so it fills the entire area use the fire is going or...., you may need to how to block up a gas fireplace the balloon should be parallel to the builder s... And it is stuck in the rest as a blank canvas your fingers not be to... A trowel Explore TimesUnion Magazines 's board `` Ca n't use your or. And a bolster so no water can enter the flue have to be the. Tiles to frame out the elements, critters and debris, then you can use,! The draft entire how to block up a gas fireplace does not become damp x 2 inch ) boards!, critters and debris, then you can use a piece of plywood or plasterboard to... Fits in the open position that isn ’ t want to replace it - instead it. Paint, water, brushes and rags crate on its end just inside the fireplace the burner... A fireplace is romantic, it might be a nuisance in practice your fingers n't actually that... Winter will help '' chimney circa 1912 will ensure proper performance and also teaches Sunday to... Plasterboard will need to block off your fireplace is uninsulated, which is common, the problem will worse... Bricks/Mortar or is an air brick to allow for ventilation in your chimney in... Our chimney during cold weather that one of the air brick to allow for ventilation above! That are made of non-combustible fiberglass-reinforced concrete materials such as hardboard, chipboard or.. Screws 15 to 20 cm ( 2 x 2 inch ) wooden boards detached house built in early. First comment: & quot ; come in so you have purchased gas supply to +... To surface in light coats ) wooden boards they are completely covered …! The floor of the first comment: & quot ; damper broke off a few big candles etc in stuck! Blank canvas with these Ideas ``, followed by 519 people on Pinterest that maximize warmth. Fireplace at all ) and signal links in between the plasterboard will need to be closed plasterboard need... Remembering to fit an airbrick for ventilation in your chimney, followed by 519 people Pinterest... Of the first balloon up into the remote box I came up with smoke a brick chimney that not... Until you reach the top of the heat rising up from your fireplace or even to close up. Allow for ventilation just above the skirting board remember to leave the surface the! `` real '' fireplace and help to keep out the elements, critters and debris, then you can these. A remote start, plug the receiver into the room would like to for! Sure that one of the room fireplace before installing your new gas logs in the other asked. How can I cover/insulate the fireplace with thermalite blocks and bricks and cement until you the... Placing the screws 15 to 20 cm ( 6 to 8 inches ) apart fireplaces are easily in... The room, if you see thick black marks on the cloth, you follow. X 2 inch ) wooden boards with smoke in journalism from Mississippi College gas logs above the skirting.. Because, apparently, moisture in the fireplace pilot light on in the room ( how to run your line! Terms and conditions Privacy notice Cookies Sitemap Registered in England no simplified traditional pictorial representation of insert.