Sealing a flue

[cwhaley]

Hi all, I have an open fire in the front room which I’d like to use. Previously I’ve used burners as I have ample free supply of timber from local furniture factories.

I’ve had it swept and visually the stack looks in good condition. I lit a fire yesterday to act as a smoke test and small amounts of smoke were coming into the bedroom above via the fireplace in that room. I’m presuming the mid feathers have gone and the smoke is being pulled down the colder bedroom flue.

How best can I completely seal this bedroom flue? I’m aware of the importance of keeping it ventilated especially as it’s uncapped, so I’d want it ventilated when the fire is not in use. I’ve looked at the balloons and don’t believe they form a true seal. I need something I can fit in the opening, perhaps with a controllable vent.

My son and newborn share the bedroom so the fire is off until this is resolved.

I’ve attached some pictures. You can see foam stuffed into the flue currently, which must have been an attempt by former owners to seal it.

 

[Exedon]

First don't light the fire under any circumstances!
If you really want to use that flue it must be lined it's that simple nothing else will do.
You should really have had camera survey first.

 

[cwhaley]

First don't light the fire under any circumstances!
If you really want to use that flue it must be lined it's that simple nothing else will do.
You should really have had camera survey first.

Really? Used an open fire for years previously in conjunction with the burner. The mid feathers had gone there too but if the burner was lit (as it was almost constantly in the Winter), the open fire exhausted straight out of the top of the stack as there was no downward ‘pull’.

It’s only my guess that the mid feathers have gone. If they haven’t, then it’s already lined (as it was built) and it could just be smoke coming out of one pot and pulled down into the other.

 

[Exedon]

Really? Yes !
Some years ago during installation of a Stanley cooker we found almost identical problem to yours.
I asked customer if anyone suffered from headache or nausea., she replied yes my 8 year old son .
He was in bedroom with flue gas leaking into it from a poorly installed aga cooker.
Child was found to be suffering from long term problems caused by monoxide poisoning.

 

[cwhaley]

Really? Yes !
Some years ago during installation of a Stanley cooker we found almost identical problem to yours.
I asked customer if anyone suffered from headache or nausea., she replied yes my 8 year old son .
He was in bedroom with flue gas leaking into it from a poorly installed aga cooker.
Child was found to be suffering from long term problems caused by monoxide poisoning.

We have three CO alarms in the house including in two bedrooms, sounds like this customer didn’t think things through. I bet they never tested their smoke alarms either!

Think I’m just going to brick up the opening, job done then! I’ll keep the surround in the garage as it’s original to the house.