Fire place boarded up but still have a chimney?

[@johntheman2006]

We’ve got a ‘30s semi, and over the last few years have needed to use the dehumidifier more and more, even with ventilation and adequate heating. I’d been thinking of doing this in the main bedroom, (the others have wall vents) and this video has decided for me. Thanks Al!

[@dereton33]

No problem and there is nothing to loose

[@johntheman2006]

@@dereton33 chopped a hole to the bricked up flue Monday, and the difference is marked. Less condensation on the window y’day morning, non today. New bare plaster around the window was wet each day near the sill, now it’s dry!

[@CallumAtwal]

Every video you put out always applies to my house! We had our chimney boarded up and many other exterior holes covered because of mice. But in turn, this has made mould and ventilation a problem!

[@dereton33]

There is a play off between damp and ventilation verses colder air coming in.

[@johnsmith-ik8il]

Thanks for your videos Al, always very informative.

[@dereton33]

No problem John.

[@Wal48]

Interesting point about fireplaces. We still have an open chimney with a coal effect gas fire that we never use! It’s a bit out of fashion now (who cares) but glad to know it’s useful!

[@dereton33]

They have there uses Spike.

[@whisthpo]

A very timely, and informative video, including all the comments! My fireplace has an electric fire, which had been totally redundant until last February, when the HW/CH demand flow sensor failed on my boiler failed and that meant I had Hot water on demand but no Central heating! I couldn't get anyone to come out for 3 days so spent 3 nights in the living room with my Staffy and the electric fire on! No big deal, was toasty down here, with my 4 legged Hot water bottle! Now, with this 'engineered' energy crisis, the log burner I have had in the garage for 5 yrs and never used, seems to be a 'no brainer' at this time! Q, what do you think of drawing fresh air from outside via the suspended floor into the living room and then up through a log burner? It is bone dry down there the last time I looked!

[@dereton33]

Yes drawing air in that way will be fine.

[@DottyGran247]

Before we had the wood burner we had a gas flame effect fire, wasn’t very good for heat, we didn’t use it much as it used to guzzle the gas but it did look nice so I don’t think our chimney was classed as “sealed” but I can honestly say that since we changed there has been a noticeable difference and reduction of damp spots in the rest of the house, I don’t know if it’s totally due to the chimney - could be the cavity wall insulation has started to break down and is allowing my house to “breathe” again or could be just the fire itself cures the damp - I’m sure it’s one or the other, we only get a little spot of mould in a corner of the bathroom these days so it’s easy to cope with, feel sorry for folks that had problems to start with before all these price increases but at least so far winter has been quite mild x

[@dereton33]

Thanks all your info great to heat how others are getting along.

[@marthacunningham2028]

Great video but disappointed Mo didn't make an appearance😂

[@dereton33]

She chickened out. Ha ha.

[@bikerchrisukk]

I did this a good while back, only because I thought the lack of air movement in a boarded over fireplace might get stale and cause problems. Problem is, no knowing if it actually helped, as there were no signs of damp before!

[@dereton33]

It certainly wont hurt.

[@michaelcorrigan4625]

Excellent advice. Those boarded up fireplaces, when opened, can really benefit the house ventilation.

[@dereton33]

Thanks Michael.

[@jameshealy8402]

I don't know why people get rid of gas fires, it's a useful backup if it's just chill and just to turn on instead of Central heating, that's what I do , I put on low for a bit . If there's a power cut for electricity I've got my fire , it's battery to ignite

[@dereton33]

Thanks James.

[@janice-ann7157]

Hi Al, I have an open fireplace that never gets used. On very cold, stormy days you can feel wind coming down the chimney. I've just bought a chimney balloon to put in the flue. Is this a bad idea? Is it likely to cause damp in the bedroom? Thanks!

[@6581punk]

The balloon leaves enough of a gap to allow some airflow to prevent damp. You can stick a cap on the top of smaller ones with a pot on the top. That also allows some air through.

[@haroldland5834]

If you put some heat like a portable heater by the opening as the chimney heats up the flue will reverse within a few minutes normally .

[@dereton33]

Thanks guys for all your excellent advice.

[@janice-ann7157]

@@6581punk thanks for the information!!