Blocking disused chimney / cavities - advice sought

[andyclegg]

I have been doing some reading about this but can't find a clear answer.

1. We have a disused brick chimney flue (on an external wall, all fireplaces now blocked off, 1930s semi). The top of the chimney flue opens in the loft (no chimney stack through the roof), so there is just the hole which is at the same level as the top of the external walls in the loft.

I am wondering about boarding and insulating over this opening (to lower heat loss), but worried that if it is covered we may get longer term problems due to removing ventilation.

2. The cavity walls are not filled (we had a survey but it said they couldn't be done - probably good given our location in west Scotland). Is it worth putting cavity socks in the cavity opening in the loft - again to lower heat loss ? Or again is it a bad idea for ventilation reasons ? Or is the view that it won't help with heat loss ?

Thanks in advance

Andy Clegg

 

[spada01]

I have been doing some reading about this but can't find a clear answer.

1. We have a disused brick chimney flue (on an external wall, all fireplaces now blocked off, 1930s semi). The top of the chimney flue opens in the loft (no chimney stack through the roof), so there is just the hole which is at the same level as the top of the external walls in the loft.

I am wondering about boarding and insulating over this opening (to lower heat loss), but worried that if it is covered we may get longer term problems due to removing ventilation.

2. The cavity walls are not filled (we had a survey but it said they couldn't be done - probably good given our location in west Scotland). Is it worth putting cavity socks in the cavity opening in the loft - again to lower heat loss ? Or again is it a bad idea for ventilation reasons ? Or is the view that it won't help with heat loss ?

Thanks in advance

Andy Clegg

Sure - cover the chimney up but then put in a £2 Screwfix openable vent and you're sorted

 

[andyclegg]

Hi. Thanks. We have an openable vent in one of the boarded up fire places. Would that give enough ventilation - or would you recommend another at the top of the flue (in the loft) ?