The problems… Left uncapped, disused chimneys are exposed to the elements, air-borne debris and nesting birds and can be a major waste of … When retiring a chimney, many chimney experts recommend using Roxul, a hydrophobic mineral wool insulation, which means that it will dry out if it ever gets wet. Is Your Money Going Up the Chimney? The chimney is brick and sits in the center of our 120-year-old house. During heavy rain i can hear drip in unused chimney The property is over 100 years old and is an miners row style terrace cottage - we are end terrace. Capping Off a Redundant Lead Pipe? When is a Chimney Relining Definitely Needed? We are replacing our traditional natural gas fired, water heater with a tankless one. Wolverhampton Chimney capping protects unused chimneys from the elements, it is usually a stone or slate slab cut to fit the top of the chimney and cemented in place. Lots of heavy lifting, but it enabled an improved layout of our kitchen/dining room! Even with the damper closed, the fireplace flue seems to dump cold air into the house all winter, so I’d like to seal it up. Unused chimneys not only waste a lot of heat, they also pose a potential damp problem as well as being a cause of smoking fireplaces and stoves. What is Causing my Chimney Discoloration? Should I block my chimney to cut down on heat loss and reduce my bills? Chimney cap. It is common for an unused chimney to be reused later on. I hired roofers to remove the portion above the roof line and patch the roof. If this is the case, then there is no cause for worry as there are very many ways that you can close it up. In some cases, it may involve capping a chimney off. Capping an unused chimney is a wise decision to maintain and protect the value of a residential property. Cornish Crofter, Jul 6, 2008 #6. lionel hutz New Member. Last year we had our soild fuel boiler replaced by an electric boiler. Is Your Chimney Welcoming Unwanted Visitors? 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. What Does a Chimney Sweep Service Provide? How to Close an Unused Chimney. The open flue will be a vent to channel cold air into the home. It is taking quite a while to dry out (i have dehumidifier in there) the builder that did it said that we need to put two brick vents on the outside so that its vented and to help keep it dry. Wet Winter Weather Can Be Tough On Chimneys, 3 Types of Chimney Damage Caused by Moisture, Trust Your Chimney to a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, White Staining Is More Than an Aesthetic Problem. If you don’t have a chimney cap, it’s essential to have one installed to keep out rain and snow. 12 September 2008 at 11:29AM edited 30 November -1 at 12:00AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving. It also reduces outside noise significantly whilst completely stopping animals and debris deposits. Usually unused chimneys are capped off with a bent sheet metal covering and perhaps a wire strap or weight on the top. The battle to keep moisture out of the chimney is the same whether it’s in use or not. Strap Fix. Insulating the Bottom of the Chimney Once you've capped the top of the chimney, you will need to insulate the bottom of it. It is shaped like a disk, as with the chimney caps for unused chimneys, but is fitted on legs, so that there is enough room beneath for smoke to pass out of the chimney. https://www.sherlockmaintenance.com/should-unused-chimneys-be-capped Richard T. Kreh Sr., an author and masonry consultant, has some advice on what the best method is. Become a GBA Prime member and get full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and more. What’s the best way to close off an unused flue in a brick chimney? Should an unused chimney flue be closed off at the top? The chimney breast is both the most visible and vital portions of a chimney. Then we decided to remove it completely. I have a brick chimney with two flues— one for a boiler, the other for an unused fireplace. The company I occasionally use flogs 2nd hand ones if anyone want them. Closing of an unused chimney. Alternatively, you can get a galvanized chimney cap, which will cost a little less but does not last for a long time. In certain situations, there are no plans for future use of the chimney or fireplace. Typically, the tradespeople who fit caps are roofers and chimney sweeps. If the liner is quite rusted in any location, it is a good idea to remove it and cap the top of the chimney with a metal flashing or thick mortar bed. The flue ventilator stops rain entry to the chimney but still allows a small amount of … It is common for an unused chimney to be reused later on. Stop downdraughts Downdraughts can affect the performance of your fire, because the wind blows back down the chimney, instead of drawing smoke out of the chimney, which reduces the efficiency of the fire. Unused chimneys usually aren’t ventilated properly, so moisture can easily get trapped inside with no way out. Update: we simply ignored this unused chimney for about a year. © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 4.4 out of 5 stars 88. 14 watching. Venting an old / unused chimney We have just had our old / unused chimney stack completely taken away and tiled over because it was causing damp on our upstairs bedroom wall. We can help you avoid expensive repair costs associated with an appliance you don’t even use anymore. Click to enlarge illustration. Extend the tape measure to find the total combined length of all the flues. Below, learn more about how to properly retire a chimney. Stainless steel chimney caps won’t rust, and they are very durable. Has the Icy Winter Damaged your Atlanta Chimney? Stainless Steel Chimney Flue Cowl Pipe Rain Cover Protector Cap Ending 60-250mm. Just make sure that it has a small vent, so air can pass through. 13 in. This has to be systematic. I don't consider simply capping the basement end of the chimney, as the furnace installers have done, to be a proper way of dealing with the unused chimney. Do All Chimney Flues Need Cleaning and Inspection? Women Chimney Sweeps Fine with the Dirty Work, Wood-Burning Fireplace versus Wood-Burning Stove, You Shouldn’t Use a Regular Vacuum to Clean A Fireplace, Flashing: A Leading Cause of Chimney Leaks. Have Your Gas Fireplace Serviced This Spring, Help! With a New Chimney Liner, is it Necessary to Hire a Chimney Sweep? How Easy is it to Add a Fireplace to a Home That Doesn’t Have One? Typically, the tradespeople who fit caps are roofers and chimney sweeps. A retired chimney should be sealed only at the top or bottom. Flue ventilators can be found on our chimney pot page. A stainless steel chimney cap is the best option as it will last longer, but it costs more as well. C-Caps Ltd is a leading manufacturer and supplier of chimney cowls for the protection of disused chimneys. Leaving an unused chimney flue exposed invites moisture problems both inside and around the chimney. Capping the chimney will prevent any rainwater from entering the chimney space and causing issues related to damp and moisture. It appears this has happened in the past, likely due to rain being blown past the current chimney cap. The expanded galvanized steel mesh protects against animal infestation. Capping an unused chimney/flue. Use a Breather Cowl If you click on them we may earn a small commission. Top Cap Says: This is now the only cowl we use for unused chimney pots. Chimney Caps. If you want an easy way to temporarily block and unused fireplace flue to stop … You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. The bottom is even easier. There was only mention of capping the chimney off, I would assume it has some sort of vent at the bottom. Flue ventilators can be found on our chimney pot page. One thought I had was to drop a length of rebar down the flue and fill it with concrete . Capping an old chimney. Place the end of your tape measure against the side of the flue, which is the clay or metal tube coming out from the top of your chimney. 1,085 sold. They can last up to 90 years; and the copper looks good whether polished or whether patina, a colored film, forms on the copper surface. Chimney damp will often occur if your chimney is unused and boarded up. This brick wall encases the flu and other functional parts, ... you will have the option of simply covering over the rest of an unused chimney when you extend the roof over the gap left by the stack. A common question homeowners ask when retiring a chimney is whether ventilation is still needed. _____ For details of recommended fitters, along with chimney cap installation cost and chimney cap replacement cost, please read on. The Difference Between Wood Fireplaces and Wood Stoves? We are still using one of the flues for the woodstove, or I’d probably dismantle the whole thing. Even though the upfront cost is higher, stainless steel is the better investment. x 13 in. This will allow air to pass through the chimney and help prevent problems caused by moisture. As long as you have a masonry chimney, there is the possibility that moisture will get into the system and cause damage. What Technicians Look for During a Chimney Inspection, What to Do if your Chimney Liner is Damaged. This won't delete the articles you've saved, just the list. There are dozens of different chimney cowls on the market, many are designed for disused chimneys and act a breather/ventilator (like this one from online retailer Amazon).. You could go for an inflatable draught excluder, which will fit snugly inside your chimney. Blocking off an old gas flue. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. Capping off prevents moisture from coming in or cold air that may come in due to any possible negative pressure stack effect that could intermittently exist in the house. . Call on the trained, certified chimney experts at Chimney Solutions for help with your retired chimney. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. Once the chimney is capped, you should be able to remove the pipe and close the hole in the chimney with brick and such. Do You Need a New Chimney? Simply cut a tight fitting plug out of foam insulation and block the hole on the bottom. The vast majority of problems with chimneys are related to moisture, and that’s the issue as regards ventilation. Place the chimney cap over the flue liner and with the screwdriver, fasten it securely. Does a flexible stainless steel chimney flue really need an insulation wrap? 5.0 out of 5 stars 8. If there is no air flow in the chimney, moisture gets trapped and deterioration of the chimney structure will be accelerated. Archive View Return to standard view. A chimney cap is a covering for the top of your chimney, and it usually includes wire mesh. The top has been capped off, what to do with the bottom? It’s Possible! Chimney Dampers and How they Can Save You Money, Chimney Evolution – Elimination of Smoky Fireplaces, Chimney Inspections Are Similar to Medical Check-ups, Chimney Restoration: Time to Reevaluate Your Heat Source, Common Causes of Fireplace-Related Home Fires, Common Off-Season Chimney Repairs Made by Homeowners, Creosote & Chimney Fires: What You Must Know, Creosote in Your Chimney: Types, Causes, and Remedies, Crumbly Chimney Masonry and How to Prevent Spalling, Custom Fireplace Designs for Your Interior Fireplace. Learn how to repair and install a chimney cap. An unused chimney still draws, and will suck the heat out of your house. While the idea of a fireplace is romantic, it might be a nuisance in practice. Is Burning Wood Harmful to My Chimney or the Environment? The new one will be direct vented through the side of the house. That is, is it on an exterior wall? Galvanized steel is the least expensive, but it is prone to rust much more quickly than other options. If moisture gets into masonry, deterioration occurs because of freezing and thawing cycles. Free postage. How to temporarily block a chimney If you want an easy way to temporarily block and unused fireplace flue to stop a draft, you should consider installing a top sealing damper. This has to be systematic. What’s the best way to close off an unused flue in a brick chimney? Chimney Cracks – Should You Be Concerned? What are the benefits of a wood stove versus a traditional fireplace? Subscribing to my channel is greatly appreciated!! Unused chimneys not only waste a lot of heat, they also pose a potential damp problem as well as being a cause of smoking fireplaces and stoves. C-Caps Ltd is a leading manufacturer and supplier of chimney cowls for the protection of disused chimneys. 1155 McFarland 400 Drive, Alpharetta GA 30004, Chimney Solutions Main Office - 1155 McFarland 400 Drive, Alpharetta GA, 30004 / Tampa FL Web Design, “Rumfordizing” Fireplaces in Older & Newer Homes, 3 Compelling Reasons Annual Chimney Inspections are Worth the Cost, 3 Problems Common to even the Best Wood Stoves, 4 Common (and Uncommon) Problems a Chimney Sweep Can Resolve, 4 Reasons Why Fireplace Inserts Make Sense, 4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Fireplace in Winter, 5 Steps to Preventing Chimney Leaks during Spring Rainy Season, 6 Ways to Keep a Safe and Clean Fireplace Between Professional Cleanings, 7 Essential Tips for Safe and Efficient Wood-Burning Stoves and Fireplaces, 7 Reasons to Get Your Chimney Cleaned in Spring or Summer, 7 Reasons to have a Chimney Cleaning & Inspection even after those Mild Winters, 7 Tips for Off-Season Fireplace & Chimney Maintenance, After Labor Day is the Perfect Time for an Inspection, Basic Chimney Chores Homeowners Shouldn’t Forget, Before Getting a Chimney Liner, Ask These 7 Questions, Benefits of Having a Clean Fireplace & Chimney, Block Cool Air from Entering Through Your Chimney This Fall & Winter. Is it Easy to Convert a Wood-burning Fireplace to Gas? Here’s How to Tell. C-Caps Chimney Cowls. When retiring a chimney, many chimney experts recommend using Roxul, a hydrophobic mineral wool insulation, which means that it will dry out if it ever gets wet. Watch and listen to Shell answer a question from one of his HouseSmart Club members who wants to know how to block off their unused chimney. I’ll just ask one more question: Why do you want to block the chimney- is it to prevent a draft or is it because it’s unused and you just want it closed? A: Unused flues should be capped at the top, to minimise rainwater ingress. How to Close Up an Unused Fireplace. How to Block Off a Fireplace. Copper chimney caps are the most decorative and most expensive. Capping off unused chimney. It makes a great deal of sense to install a chimney cap, when you look at the benefits.There are, however, some problems which can occur because of a chimney topper, particularly involving wire mesh. The most simple chimney cap is also known as a raincap. Learn how to close up an unused fireplace with our top tips below. Top Cap Says: This is now the only cowl we use for unused chimney pots. Do Your Walls have Ghosting aka Soot Stains? The other option is getting your chimney fitted with a ‘cap’, normally made from terracotta. However, this doesn’t apply all the time. We had full roof replaced when we moved in two years ago. Capping unused chimneys - flue ventilators UK. Call in a Corgi registered plumber to test the flue. FAQ: Why Do Some Builders Avoid Foam Insulation. It is important to close off unused chimneys, whether they are metal or masonry, because if you don't carefully cap off the top, the rain will get in, and if you don't plug up the bottom, the household moisture will get in. Capping the flue is one of the best ways to close up the top of the chimney as it will still allow air to get in and out, preventing condensation from building up. Even new cast-iron dampers allow air loss. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. Capping Cowl for Unused Chimneys. If your damper is near the firebox, you can use insulation to seal the chimney. The rain cannot get in, but it is not sealed air tight, which does allow any inside moisture to slowly get out. £19.95. Just wondering if I should cap it off completely at the roof or more of a vent style cap with mesh to let the condensation to evaporate that may form inside the flue. How to temporarily block a chimney. Then I removed it in the attic, two floor of living area, and basement. last updated ... ( 400 x 400) siliconed on, as a quick & very durable solution but in my case I'd need TWO for each chimney, and they are ~ 7 kg each : I am a little worried that ... as it doesn't dry out if it's unused..! In addition to keeping moisture out of a chimney, chimney caps with mesh prevent animals from getting in and sparks from getting out. The battle to keep moisture out of the chimney is the same whether it’s in use or not. This chimney cap is often the solution for draft problems when no other solution is effective. Why It’s Important to Close Your Damper in The Summer, Why the Lowest-Price Chimney Sweep May Be the Most Dangerous, Why You Should Inspect Your Chimney Flashing, Why You Shouldn’t Call a Roofer for Chimney Leaks, Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Chimney Maintenance, Why Your Chimney Is Leaning and What to Do About It. CHIMNEY SPINNER COWL Stainless Steel, Rotating Wind Spinning Cap Vent Top Cover . This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. #5: Customized Chimney Caps. It completely shuts down the chimney only allowing for the smallest of ventilation to clear any condensation and moisture build up. I would put a metal cap over the top, fasten it down squirrel tight. I have one which is capped, it has a chimney pot which is closed at the top, but surrounded by vents - so air can flow, but rain cannot get in. Exterior or interior? Yes, chimneys need to breathe, even if they won’t be used anymore. When water is able to pour directly into your chimney, it will be almost impossible to avoid major repairs from the resulting damage. £51.95. On top, it has an old, rusted rain cap (now closer to a funnel than a cap). What materials should I use besides cement/mortar? . This is the most expensive chimney cap option, with prices ranging from $900 to $2000+. ter portion of the flue.Note this illustration is not showing this correctly. It also reduces outside noise significantly whilst completely stopping animals and debris deposits. Install a Chimney Cap. Capping unused chimneys - flue ventilators UK. The rust can run down the chimney and roof, causing unsightly stains. Chimney lining companies are always removing these as people seem to think they can use them with gas and solid fuel fires whereas they can't. The flue ventilator stops rain entry to the chimney but still allows a small amount of air passage for … The Importance of Maintaining Masonry Chimneys, The Purpose and Function of a Chimney Cap, The Winter Holiday Season and Fireplace Safety, There is No Better Time than Spring to add a new Gas Fireplace, Gas Logs, Fireplace Insert, or Stove, Time for Your Annual Chimney Cleaning and Inspection, Tips for a Clean, Safe, & Well-Maintained Fireplace This Winter, Tips for Adding a Fireplace to a Small Space, Tips for Fireplace Safety – Wood, Gas, & Electric Fires, Today’s Wood Stove Designs are Fashionable and Trendy, Top 5 Reasons to Install Glass Doors on your Fireplace, Turn Your Firebox Repair into a Fireplace Renewal, Two Hidden Causes of House Fires: Pyrolysis and Batteries, Unlined Chimneys: A Problem Found in Many Older Homes, Upgrade The Wood Fireplace with To Gas Fireplace Insert, Use the Summertime to Remodel Your Fireplace Surround, Warning Sign It’s Time to Replace or Repair a Wood Stove, Water & the Misunderstood Masonry Chimney, Ways a Chimney Sweep Can Help You Reduce Your Energy Bill, What a Routine Inspection of Your Chimney Might Turn Up. One old and virtually free method of capping off, or sealing a chimney that is generally no longer used is to make a lead cap. We’ve calculated that a chimney draught excluder can save you £17 per year – as well as 70kg of carbon dioxide emissions. An air-tight, adjustable cover helps improve fireplace efficiency while saving you money that would otherwise go up in smoke! The flue ventilator stops rain entry to the chimney but still allows a small amount of … Capping an unused chimney is a wise decision to maintain and protect the value of a residential property. I have a 90 year old external brick chimney that has three separate flue passages. How to Clean and Maintain Your Log Burner, How to Deal with Multiple Estimates for Chimney Services, How to Increase the Life of Your Fire Pit, How to Keep Away Chimney Enemy #1: Moisture, How to Know if Your Chimney Chase Cover Needs Replacing, How to Prevent these 5 Common Chimney Dangers, How to Use a Fireplace for the First Time, Increase Chimney and Fireplace Efficiency This Winter. For details of recommended fitters, along with chimney cap installation cost and chimney cap replacement cost, please read on. Free postage. Colt Econolid Chimney Pot Cap Capping Cowl - Rain Strap Fix unused chimney/vents. However, before doing anything to the chimney and fireplace, every bit of information for this kind of task must be available. Check the Chimney Stack is not Capped. If you need your chimney capped, or you would like the capping removed we can convert your chimney to … It’s important to remember that chimney leaks can still cause damage to your roof structure and home interior, even if the chimney is never used. Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8-14: Plan TWO Ways Out! In some cases, it may involve capping a chimney off. Take The Chimney Down This option is best for standalone small chimneys, it can be very easy to dismantle a small chimney to just below a the roof and then install a few metres of felt, timber baton and some roof tiles. It makes a great deal of sense to install a chimney cap, when you look at the benefits.There are, however, some problems which can occur because of a chimney topper, particularly involving wire mesh. A chimney cap is a covering for the top of your chimney, and it usually includes wire mesh. This way you (or the next owner) have the option to have it open or closed at will. One of our viewers has removed a stove and has an unused chimney going up the outside of the house. How should I close off the 4" diameter opening into the chimney, into which my old eater's galvanized vent was installed? Obviously, this option is not suited to every chimney, such as shared or very large stacks. That’s actually a very good query but it’s not the only thing to consider. Unused, though, they can waste a lot of heat up the chimney. Five Lessons for Heating Your Home with Wood, Flue & Chimney Liners: Important for Household Safety, Get a Chimney Inspection Before Selling your House, Get a Chimney Sweep and Chimney Inspection Before Colder Weather Arrives, Get A Fireplace To Enhance The Interior Of Your home, Getting Fireplace Ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Guide for Building a Fire in your Fireplace or Wood Stove. The problems… Left uncapped, disused chimneys are exposed to the elements, air-borne debris and nesting birds and can be a major waste of … However, this doesn’t apply all the time. Chimney Pot Cap Capping Vent Cowl Colt Econolid disused Chimney. But it is more expensive, costing more like £150. Besides guarding against rainwater and pesky wildlife entering your home through the chimney opening, adding a spring-loaded or lock-top chimney cap eliminates blustering downdrafts. Unlined masonry chimney - replace with metal? ... Hancock & Brown Chimney Capping Cowl Powder Coated for Unused Chimneys Also Vents. But it is important to maintain a flow of air through a redundant flue to prevent dampness problems in the chimney … How to Make Your Fireplace More Efficient, Keep Your Fireplace a Centerpiece All Year Long With These Tips, Less Money Goes Up in Smoke With These Fireplaces, Lower Your Home Heating Costs with a Fireplace Blower, Modern Fireplace Ideas for a Home Remodeling Project, National Fire Prevention Week 2014 – Smoke Alarms, National Fire Prevention Week 2016 Focuses on Smoke Alarm Safety, Nine Things You Should Never Burn in Your Fireplace, Older Homes Can Come with Potential Chimney Issues, Prevent Costly Chimney Repairs with Preventative Maintenance, Pro Tips for a Well-Maintained Chimney and Fireplace, Questions for Greater Fireplace Efficiency This Winter, Repair Your Chimney for Winter Warmth and Safety, Room Makeover with a Fireplace Mantel & Surround, Save Money – Practice Preventative Chimney Maintenance, Scheduling Your Chimney Inspection: Be Proactive Not Reactive, Spotting the Most Common Chimney Problems, Spring Cleaning: How to Clean Your Fireplace, Spring into Action with Your Annual Chimney Inspection, Spring into Action with Your Annual Chimney Inspection, Stay Cozy This Winter with the Right Fireplace, Switching Fuel Types in Your Fireplace can Lead to Spalling of the Flue. Galvanized Steel Fixed Chimney Cap in Black The GAF Master Flow Chimney caps provide The GAF Master Flow Chimney caps provide protection against dangerous sparks while reducing downdrafts, clogging, soot, and creosote build-up. It seems to me that without sealing the chimney off and insulating at the attic level, my unused chimney is virtually like having a 5 inch diameter hole in my home's outside wall. Water From My Chimney Is Leaking into My Home, Hire a Professional for a Fireplace/Stove Install. Disadvantages. After an old fire surround and hearth has been removed, the hole in the chimney breast can be bricked in to tidy up the wall. Then measure across your flues to find the widest point. at this time the roofer asked if we wanted to knock off the chimney stack, but we kept it. It also needs to be done by a professional. Best chimney cap – Which is the best chimney capping method for you and product links provided. What is a Direct Vent Fireplace & How Does it Work? We are re-doing our basement and I don’t want any issues with water leaking from the old clean out door. 7 Benefits of Heating with a Fireplace or Wood Stove, Ten Benefits of a Zero Clearance Fireplace, Why and How to Reduce Creosote in your Chimney Lining, Reasons Annual Chimney Inspections Should be a Priority, Fabulous Fireplaces- Celebrities, Movies, & the Titanic, Build a Fire that Has Your Favorite Characteristics, Child Chimney Sweeps: Dark Chapter in Sweep History, Understanding CSIA Certification & NCSG Membership, Why it’s Important to Choose Local Firewood, U.S. Household Fires Provide Lessons In Safety, How To Have a More Eco-Friendly FirePlace, National Fire Prevention Week is Oct 6 – 12, Don’t Cut Out Chimney Maintenance to Save Money, 8 Clues that Your Chimney May Need Repairs, 5 Benefits of Switching to a Fireplace Insert, Differences Between Masonry & Factory-Built Fireplaces, Burning Wood Is an Eco-Friendly Way to Heat your Home, Spring Cleaning Should Include the Chimney & Fireplace, 10 Things to Know Before Hiring a Chimney Sweep. This provides better insulation and protection, from moisture and birds as well as draughts. Have Winter Conditions Affected Your Chimney? Blocking up an unused fireplace . This video on chimney flues runs through the process of chimney flue and pot identification so you know which chimney is which, as well as smoke testing and how to measure a chimney … Why Is Firebox Cleaning an Important Part of Chimney Service? The old one was atmospherically vented into the chimney. It is at this stage you will need to check the builders have not capped off the chimney. Take measurements for the length, width, and height of the chimney’s flues. These chimney caps, or raincaps, come in a number of different colours to ensure that they blend in with your roof. You can choose from several materials for a chimney cap. A few things I’ve read suggest that capping it off can trap moisture and cause problems. There are a few products you can purchase to block the chimney just above the damper. It completely shuts down the chimney only allowing for the smallest of ventilation to clear any condensation and moisture build up. Hello all, I have an unused chimney in my century home. Looking to seal an unused chimney? Please do not assume that because it looks clear it is suitable for a fire that has any kind … If your chimney is open at the top but is not in use, rainwater can travel all the way down to the bottom of the chimney … Is Your Chimney Adding to Your Heating Costs? Unused chimneys not only waste a lot of heat, they also pose a potential damp problem as well as being a cause of smoking fireplaces and stoves. When Your Fire Isn’t Burning as Bright as It Used To, Why a Level 2 Inspection is Crucial To Buying A Home, Why Fireplace Repair is Only for Knowledgeable Experts, Why Gas Fireplaces Need Annual Inspections. If your damper is near the firebox, you can use insulation to seal the chimney. Movement in bricks as ice expands and contracts causes spalling, which means the brick begins to break up. In certain situations, there are no plans for future use of the chimney or fireplace. Discussion in 'Building' started by overlandrover, 14 Apr 2007. overlandrover. Don’t Trust Your Home to Just Any Chimney Sweep, Enjoy the Vibe of a Fire All Year with an Electric Fireplace, Essential Areas Examined in Level 1 Chimney Inspections, Facts About Chimney Cracks & How To Repair Them, Fall is the Time of Year to Make Sure Your Chimney is Clean & Safe, Fire Prep To-Do List Before the Season’s First Fire.