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Chimneys & Fireplaces
Does a chimney need ventilation??
Hi,
i have recently taken out our old 80's style gas fire (don't worry, i employed a gas sefe engineer to do it), however it has exposed the old hole in the chimey breast, where a fire used to be, but living in bristol we can't have an open fire so am going to have to board it up with some plaster board.
Do i need to put a vent in the plasterboard so that air can circulate inside the chimney breast?? I have been told this needs to be done, but thought i'd ask the experts first.
cheers.
6 Answers from MyBuilder Chimney & Fireplace Specialists
Best Answer
yes ,but dont use plasterboard as there is always moisture inside a chimney,do it properly and use blockwork,also render front of blocks with waterproof additive and skim whole breast to a smooth finish ,this way you dont see joints,then buy a nice brushed aluminium vent and fit surface ,might cost a bit more but if you want a good finish in building it does,there are no bargains to be had in building,ho ho ho
Answered 19th Dec 2011
Yes vent the bottom and fit a rain guard cowl to top of stack.
If you dont have good air circulation you will have condensation problems.
Answered 16th Dec 2011
yes you need to fit a rain guard on the top of the chimney and a vent on the bottom to allow the air to circulate .
good luck alex
Answered 16th Dec 2011
Living in a smoke control area like Bristol does not mean that you cannot have a fire, it just means you have to burn smokeless fuels. Check this link out for what is okay to burn:-
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/fuels.php?country=e
Otherwise all the advice above is sound.
Answered 19th Dec 2011
yes for ventilation...
Answered 16th Dec 2011
yes you need to allow good ventilation and allow the air to circulate in the chimney stack this reduces condensation
Answered 19th Dec 2011
