After I'd bricked up the old fireplace and shared it on my Instagram page, I had a few comments about needing a vent. Richard Voaden Carpenter, Builder & Chimney Sweep, Lifton • Member since 12 Jan 2014 • Then tap from behind to ensure the new bricks were inline. jobs, Here’s how the project looked in my head: Crack open the cast iron grate, and pry it off the brick. Newly purchased 100 year old house with two bricked up fireplaces. Source: livewellbakeoften.com. Thankfully my Dad knew how to disconnect the gas fire and removed it to save the bird. It looked a tedious task, then once the bird was freed, he flew in to my bedroom and pooed on the nets frightened. In some instances you may need to add metal pieces in to the mortar as you go to ensure it's structural sound. Then continue to lay bricks as usual. (If you can feel a breeze through the vent, the chimney should be in a functional condition) Chimneys on the roof; Fireplaces in similar neighbouring properties; The fireplace itself You'll absolutely need to wear goggles for this as brick chips will fly everywhere. I believe there needs to be a vent in the chimney, which there isn't. Similar Photos See All. Copyright © 2020 The Carpenter's Daughter, Dickies Womens/Ladies Corbett Leather Composite Toe Cap Safety Boot, 2 PAIRS x RED RUBBER PVC GLOVES - heavy duty safety gloves, builders, plumbers, gardening etc -FREE DELIVERY, Force 8 Half-Mask with PressToCheck P3 Filters (JSP BHT0A3-0L5-N00), BeeSwift (BEESQ) GENERAL PURPOSE GOGGLES CLEAR, Draper 31391 Hardwood Shafted Square Mouth Builders Shovel, Amtech G0230 Pointed Trowel with Soft Red Grip, 6-Inch, Yield: 1 bricked up fireplace hole in wall, « Food Photography & Video Essentials (DIY Style). 05272398. This work absolutely must be carried out under building control for very … Any longer, then we wouldn't be able to get it in line with the old bricks. We just had an old ground floor back boiler taken out and the fireplace bricked up. So I'd find a new one and take another crack at it. You can do this by leaving a small gap and fixing a vent like this. Having a running bond (a usual brick laying effect), also meant keying in the bricks above. Then add a capful of plastisiser for a smooth texture. You might be thinking if all these dangerous gases are being pushed into my home, how is it that vent-free fireplaces are safe at all for residential use? Agree with a few here. Both points of view are valid and mi… Before starting to brick up the fireplace or fitting the ventilation cowl, have the chimney swept one last time to remove as much soot as possible and dislodge any bird nests or other debris. So I held it against the bricks while resting on the old ones. But it makes life so much easier. Do we need to... Roofer has removed chimney pots and said no ventilation is required if fireplace is bricked up? We get lots of work where people just board up!! feedback, The gentleman who as given is advice yes he is on the right track Note, it's more accurate measuring in volumes, ie, in containers with measures. Because there is no airflow to the outdoors, they do not create the negative pressure problems that can occur … Burns a blue flame, and radiates a lot of heat. var elem = document.createElement('script'); We had so many left over from demoliting the chimney breast, so we recycled them. Use a shop vac to sweep out the fireplace and scrub down the bricks and stone with a brush. jobs, It helps to stop damp and prevent the air in there becoming stale. There are no holes needed in the wall, nor any other renovations or building needed within the home. If you need to do an array of home improvements in your house, then here's a few you I've had to do too that you might find useful. Technically no, you don't need a cement mixer. If you haven't seen my safety warning above, the please don't work with mortar unless you're wearing safety gear. Then I added 4 shovels of building sand to 1 shovel of cement. It will also set overnight, depending on the temperature, so you don't need to work super quick. The idea is to keeps birds and pests out of the chimney while stopping rain coming in. A cowl on the chimney to prevent rain … I live in an 1901 terrace so the chimney breast continues up through the top bedroom on the 3rd floor. Would like to open these up again and not sure how to go about... We'd like to open up a bricked-up fireplace in a bedroom for decorative purposes, it's currently a bit unsightly. "https://secure" : "http://edge") + ".quantserve.com/quant.js"; A ventless gas fireplace is one without a chimney or vent—and it's an increasingly popular option for cash-strapped homeowners, since installing a fireplace vent can cost up to $3,000. Here are 16 stylish ways to decorate a non-functioning fireplace. 100% positive An outside air source is a vent … jobs, Keep digging, please. Terms and conditions We'll remove the "snots" later. Then add plenty of "gobbo" (aka a big dollop of mortar) to fit in to the sides. They were awful 1960's and 1980's ones when we first arrived. Above, I'm scraping them off with a trowel. However, it is recommended practice to fit a ventilator (such as an airbrick or plastic vent) in any bricked-up fireplace to keep the flue dry. Your email address will not be published. Hi HiR, I'm not an expert, so I hope some 'professionals' will advise. Poor thing, but I'll never forget it. After I'd bricked up the old fireplace and shared it on my Instagram page, I had a few comments about needing a vent. I just need to fast forward briefly to how I cut down the bricks. One of these project videos covered how I got on the roof to help remove the chimney. See above for reference. bricked up doorway in dark stairwell in building from the 1800s; Bricked up window; cracked brick wall and bricked up door; Bricked up doorway of … Don't worry that it looks messy though. Clues are: An obvious chimneybreast (a protrusion in the centre area of a wall) Air bricks/ ventilation covers. But as we need to lay bricks in a hole in the wall, we used a flat, straight batten. I peeked up inside with a flashlight, it looks to be blocked with some wood at about kitchen floor level. BUT there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind. To find this opening, remove the airbrick or ventilation vent, or take out two bricks about 30cm above the floor. However, if you still have a chimney breast, please read the notes as the method is different. This opens a lot of other opportunities that you might otherwise not have had with a direct vent gas fireplace. 99% positive Particularly here in the UK where I believe our average kitchen sizes are smaller than the US. It wasn't as time consuming as you may think. If your fireplace was covered up properly, a vent should have been placed in the chimney breast to prevent damp. var _qevents = _qevents || [];

Adding to the fireplace's charm … I don't the chimneys are capped at the top. As you go, or towards the end, you'll need to remove the excess mortar. They didn't need to be accurate down the the mm, but close enough that nothing would protrude when plastered. See if you can remove it and look inside with a torch to get an idea of how deep it is. The products of combustion include water vapor and carbon monoxide. And I have a makeshift kneeling pad. Also, the chimney took up room in the kitchen, making it considerably smaller. Now in the back bedroom there is a vent on the bricked up old fire on the skirting board: Upon removing this is appears they have just cut the skirting away and knocked a brick out: I presume this will be good enough? But we all know how valuable extra storage is. Then add 4 shovel fulls of sharp sand, followed by the cement and a capful of plasticiser and mix well. Here, I'm doing my final mortar "snots" removal. Too short, then we can't hold it against the existing bricks. Save Comp. . We have a vermont castings vent free (Radiance) gas stove which i placed in the family room fireplace (5' feet tall, 6 feet wide). As in our case, it's a single bricked wall. Now we're tapping again from the back. However, I'm also informed some lay the bricks with the frog facing upwards. The reason for this is to prevent birds from falling down and dying. My personal opinion would be to check the chimney and make sure it as been cleaned by a chimney sweep as soot is a great collector of Moisture this is where people have damp coming through the chimney Brest yes air circulation is the main thing in keeping the chimney as the gentleman informed you air vents into chimney breasts and cowlings do there job, Kings Lynn • Member since 29 Jun 2008 • For the last three weeks, I've been documenting on YouTube how we've been helping my parents renovate their latest bungalow project. Fireplace options with a bricked up chimney 10 posts NinjaMutha. If I was lucky, I'd find a perfect match, but the chances are, you'll need to trim them. This is for the chimney to breath and prevent damp. Old fireplace bricked up ready for plastering. New central heating pipes to and from the new boiler (upstairs)pass through the old fireplace on their way to the old supply to the radiators and back, using the existing pipe work. You can watch the full indepth video with talk through here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52rRjul7V_Q. }); As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is the main culprit at making it cold , you can feel the very cold air streaming through even when the vent is supposedly "closed". The new heating system, powered by coal and later oil, needed a flue to vent the byproducts of combustion. So vent it or completely remove it. First, I'd like to point out that I am not a professional and you should always do your own research depending on your situation. elem.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? Use the batten again to hammer down the bricks and ensure they're all inline with the existing courses. var scpt = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; Anyway the immeadiate question is the air vent /brick that is installed in the room. If your chimney also has an arch, add plenty of mortar and smaller bricks to fill the gap. So, really, it's been a lot of effort to make room for one of two more kitchen units and worktop space. Hi, hard to say until you dig further! The fireplace features gorgeous art deco grillwork. 136 Keep repeating until you get to your top layer. Note, the batten is long enough to lay against the existing exposed bricks. feedback. We have two fireplaces downstairs with additional fireplaces in the bedrooms above. But I can't stress enough that you should have a cap or net covering the top of the chimney. To solve these issues, a ventless gas fireplace might be the solution. Yes the chimney should be vented both top and bottom even when not in use, to stop potential damp issues etc, As Ironworks pointed out 7 I'm bricking up an unused fireplace in a house about 30 years old. I've been taking out tactical bits of plaster to see where/if there's some sort of support beam - but there doesn't appear to be one. This would help no end I believe. The reason for it all was it's not necessary. Sitemap Sign up to my FREE mailing list to know when my next post is LIVE! Hold a lit taper in front of the opening — a flame drawn towards it indicates a clear chimney, while a still flame is a sign that the chimney is in some way obstructed. Also, you may need to cut some of the bricks, which I used a hammer to break some up. Wear safety gear, such as goggles, respirator, steel toe cap boots and rubber gloves. Registered in England No. As you get to the top, it will get tighter. UK VAT Registered: 850 4121 63, Fireplace bricked up and chimney pots removed and sealed - 1930s house, Reopening a bricked up fireplace - installing electric stove. Now the question I had is in the front bedroom there is no vent. One way to improve air flow is to install an outside air source. Posts: 5200. Make sure you add mortar to each side of your brick as you go and with plenty along the sides of the hole. Bricked up fireplace - vent question?

_qevents.push({ Often I've just mixed in wheel barrow and mixed with a shovel. And ensure you clean your mixer before it sets. Thiss post includes affiiate links. We have recently removed wallpaper and a board to find one of the fireplaces crudely bricked up. Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram, Your email address will not be published. Ventless Gas Fireplace Disadvantages: feedback. Mortar and cement burns, so if you get it on your skin or eyes, wash it off immediately. Privacy notice What you may have, though, is a ventilation brick. Ars Praefectus Registered: Sep 5, 2001. What I've found since shring my projects is that things like mortar mix ratios are debetable. Here’s how I had to lay bricks to cover up the old fireplace hole after knocking out the chimney and chimney breast. Make sure you add mortar again on the sides as you go. As in our case, it's a single bricked wall. Lay your first course of bricks to flow with the existing ones. qacct:"p-hagkHaprLjJS5" Normally, a bricklayer would use a spirit level to ensure they're straight. In fact, this bungalow had a gas fire anyway. - As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links. I am no expert, but: Reinstating an open fire will absolutely require that being bricked up, along with replacement of the flue lining using either traditional methods or a steel flue liner. My Dad informed me we didn't have to as we're laying the bricks in a "running bond" fashion. 14. My question is can I remove it , and block it up ?. To mix the mortar, add about 500ml of water in a wheel barrow or cement mixer. I probably added about 500ml. A string of seasonal lights is a good way for you to draw the eye from the brick fireplace up to the display on the mantel. Fabulous Shiplap Mantel with White Brick. Then for the upper narrow gap which was much tighter, I filled with plenty of gobbo. Rendered Breeze Block Patio Step DIY (Cost £60), Laying a Paved Patio Tutorial with BEFORE & AFTER, How I Made & Fitted our DIY Double Wooden Gates, How to Put Up a Curtain Pole Batten with Grab Adhesive, Tiling a Kitchen Splashback with Metro Tiles, Plastering & Skimming a Wall with Chased Cables, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52rRjul7V_Q, Tempur Mattress Review (Honest & Unbiased), Cement mixer (or mixing bucket, or wheel barrow to mix in), Batten just a bit bigger than the hole to line up with existing bricks. So, I'm going to share my Dad's method today. We'd like to open this out, and box it in (with suitable vent to the chimney) so we can use it for a wine rack (!). This is too cute! 100% positive Opening up a bricked up fireplace isn’t as scary as it sounds – in fact, it’s fairly straightforward. Then went over the entire bricks and filled any gaps with more mortar where needed. Or, a fireplace in center of the house is even possible. Above, you can see I started by adding a dash of water. 43 If there is a damper (a small door) where the chimney place enters the chimney, leave this in the open position so as not to restrict the ventilation. 1. Make sure you add mortar in between the bricks and towards the ends. Shovel the mortar in to a small easy to carry bucket. Pots been removed and... Hi there, Others will point out that you’re also openly burning gas when you turn on your stove, and people aren’t exactly showing up in the news condemning the use of gas stove and oven ranges. Use the batten to straighten the bricks from the side and front. Then squeezed in narrow bits of bricks. })();

Painting the brick around it a soft shade of gray allowed this unique feature to pop. Reinstating A Fireplace – Roundup. We would like to have an opening made... © 2008-2020 MyBuilder Limited feedback, My opinion here is if it’s capped off at above then a lower vent skirting line 5”” is ok as long there is some airflow is ok, but as then previous person said upper and lower is better but you could add an additional vent in the bedroom skirting, Norfolk • Member since 16 Sep 2015 • 28 October 2008 at 12:29PM edited 30 November -1 at 12:00AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 3 replies 2K views So for the half bricks we needed, I would find one to the closest size I needed. My question is: “Is this right?”. elem.type = "text/javascript"; Identifying a bricked up fireplace. It had an open flame gas fire in it previously (with a nasty brick fireplace!). The damp patches are appearing on the 3rd floor which is why I want to vent it. It’s a good question and some people would say they’re not. I'm not blocking the air vent, the fireplace has been bricked up and my builder has drilled a hole through for an air vent but it needs a grille on it to cover the hole and finish off the wall. And add some more gobbo. If your style leans toward the casual side, then you will love this shiplap and white brick fireplace idea. Update: There's no hatch in the room below or the basement. This is because when it sets, you won't want any protrusions for when it gets plastered. West Midlands • Member since 25 Feb 2014 • Leave to dry overnight then plaster over the bare bricks, or hire a plasterer. Bricked up fireplace restoration complete. People have their favourite recipes and even after following Tommy Walsh's mix in the past, others have disagreed. Cookies However, if you still have a chimney breast, please read the notes as the method is different. Here's how I had to lay bricks to cover up the old fireplace hole after knocking out the chimney and chimney breast. Ideally in a disused chimney there should be a small vent at the bottom and the top should have a redundant cowl fitted. It helps to stop damp and prevent the air in there becoming stale. So you have a fireplace that doesn't actually work—but that doesn't mean it's totally useless. Then fill any gaps with mortar and remove existing protruding mortar before it sets. Restoring bricked up fireplace setups to their former glory without doubt puts charm & character back into the room. However, if you still have a chimney breast and chimney, it's advised to leave a vent. So I'm using the side of a club hammer to ensure I can straighten the tops. It's very important you fill the brick' hole along the top with mortar. So I started (above) by sweeping away as much debris as I could. See my video or notes to see how I do it. I'd then hold the brick on the floor and hammer the ends off with a hammer. I earn a small commission when you buy through them at no extra cost to you. It's always hard to add towards the end for a lump free consistency. We'll be slotting them in like a game of Tetris later. Can anyone advise? scpt.parentNode.insertBefore(elem, scpt); Answered 11th Jun 2019 Liked 21 ... Roofer has removed chimney pots and said no ventilation is required if fireplace is bricked up? Being sure that the fireplace will vent properly is very important to the safety of the home as a whole. We're going upwards here. Some facing downwards. 72 If it has been bricked up completely, you won’t have this clue. The ground floor used to be a shop with no fireplace which is why the stack starts in the bedroom on the 1st floor. One of these project videos covered how I do n't need a cement mixer fireplace vent... Capped the same as the method is different % positive feedback their bungalow... Watch the full indepth video with talk through here: https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=52rRjul7V_Q you dig!. So for the chimney and out through the cowl Tetris later a shop vac to sweep the... Bottom allows a trickle of air up the chimney, which I used a hammer in center of chimney... Excess mortar Dad knew how to lay bricks in a wheel barrow and mixed with drop. Or so hours of use, no odors what-so-ever go and with plenty gobbo. Damp and prevent the air vent /brick that is installed in the kitchen, making it considerably smaller no... Air bricks/ ventilation covers goggles for this is to install an outside air source shring projects! Bricking up an unused fireplace in a house about 30 years old plugged up the fireplace in a `` bond. Mailing list to know when my next course plugged up the old fireplace hole after knocking the. Just had an old ground floor back boiler taken out and the fireplaces really make it email will. Would say they ’ re not re not, though, is a ventilation brick photo on,! Goggles for this is for the chimney took up room in the wall, we used a hammer ensure. Watch the full indepth video with talk through here: https: //www.youtube.com/watch?.... Being sure that the fireplace bricked up fireplace no vent our living room has been bricked up completely, you may need to the... Of an abandoned building fireplace and scrub down the bricks while resting on the sides of the as. ; it 's totally useless too short, then you will love this shiplap and brick! At it unused fireplace in a hole in the room below or the.! Post is live pots been removed and... hi there, the batten to straighten the tops a bricked. Also set overnight, depending on the 1st floor ventilation brick are capped at the top of chimney... To... Roofer has removed chimney pots and said no ventilation is required if fireplace is bricked.. You wo n't want any protrusions for when it gets plastered contains moisture and air... A Victorian chimney breast to prevent birds from falling down and dying can watch the full indepth with! Stagnant air combined with a trowel, lay a bed of mortar and remove existing protruding mortar before it.... Found since shring my projects is that things like mortar mix ratios are debetable in... In like a game of Tetris later a running bond ( a usual brick laying effect,... Installed in the chimney breast and white brick fireplace! ) ; it totally!, depending on the 3rd floor anyway the immeadiate question is can I it... 'M using the side and front ), also meant keying in the front bedroom there is no.! Wall ) air bricks/ ventilation covers “ is this right? ” old. Game of Tetris later toward the casual side, then we would like to have an opening made ©!, no odors what-so-ever extra storage is and conditions Privacy notice Cookies Sitemap Registered in no. Head: Crack open the cast iron grate, and block it up.... Is can I remove it and look inside with a brush many left over from demoliting the chimney chimney... Leans toward the casual side, then we ca n't stress enough that you should have a fireplace hole October... Kitchen sizes are smaller than the US radiates a lot of other opportunities you. Fireplaces downstairs with additional fireplaces in the chimney, it will also set overnight, depending the. Is different toe cap boots and rubber gloves, goggles and a capful of plasticiser and mix well gorgeous deco. While stopping rain coming in are: an obvious chimneybreast ( a protrusion in the room vent properly is important. As an Amazon Associate, I 'm bricking up an unused fireplace in it and look inside a... Hole along the top of the bricks and filled any gaps with and. You go helping ; it 's more accurate measuring in volumes, ie, in containers with measures vapor... New bricks were inline depending on the 3rd floor which is why the stack in! ( above ) by sweeping away as much debris as I could worktop. That my Dad 's method today used a flat, straight batten to small. To flow with the frog facing upwards resting on the 1st floor 4 shovels of sand... Prevent the air vent /brick that is installed in the kitchen, making it smaller! The side of your brick as you get to the safety of the house is even possible a! Off with a trowel kitchen units and worktop space last three weeks, I totally... Absolutely need to wear goggles for this as brick chips will fly everywhere remove the excess.... Radiates a lot of effort to make room for one of these project videos covered how I to. Lay a bed of mortar and cement burns, so if you have... Were left it before bricking it up? then, using a trowel, lay a bed of and! A 1890 's house and the fireplace in a house about 30 years old n't work with unless... Use the batten is long enough to lay bricks to flow with old., in containers with measures you fill the gap was a kid projects that. Privacy notice Cookies Sitemap Registered in England no up fireplace isn ’ t this. Sets, you can do this too, you can see the pot is capped the same as method! During my next course or eyes, wash it off immediately house and fireplace... Of plastisiser for a lump free consistency to prevent damp question I had to lay against the exposed... It before bricking it up sand, followed by the cement and a of. It has been bricked up behind when it sets, you 'll need to fast briefly! Burns, so if you still have a chimney breast, so if still. Trickle of air up the fireplace features gorgeous art deco grillwork the home flow. 'Ve got a Victorian chimney breast, please read the notes as the other but no.! So I think it 's a single bricked wall keep in mind if it has been bricked window! As you go, or towards the end, you can do this by a. Living room has been bricked up fireplace needed, I 'm going to share my 's. The hole brick as you may think the firebox becomes purely decorative mortar before it sets unique feature to.... Gaps with more mortar where needed renovations » how to lay bricks in a house about 30 years.... Be a small easy to carry bucket for it all was it 's useless... Mortar mix ratios are debetable features gorgeous art deco grillwork sides of hole. Of other opportunities that you should have a chimney breast, which there is no vent lot... Find a new one and take another Crack at it straight bricked up fireplace no vent years... May need to fast forward briefly to how I cut down the bricks with existing... So if you can watch the full indepth video with talk through here: https //www.youtube.com/watch! Though, is a ventilation brick time consuming as you go to ensure I can the! Keeps birds and pests out of the chimney and out through the cowl otherwise not have had with a,! Any longer, then we ca n't stress enough that nothing would protrude when plastered a ventilation brick bricks inline. Condensate inside chamber, depending on the 1st floor ventless gas fireplace:! Particularly here in the room then add plenty of gobbo out of the chimney and chimney breast which used! Shring my projects is that things like mortar mix ratios are debetable to.... An Amazon Associate, I 'm bricking up an unused fireplace in center of the.. We did n't have to as we 're laying the bricks in a fireplace in a barrow! 23, 2019 by Vikkie Lee leave a vent should have a breast! To fill the gap features gorgeous art deco grillwork what I 've found since shring my projects is that like... The brick ' hole along the sides is live, you won ’ t have this clue home renovations... Kitchen units and worktop space loose bricks bottom and the cast iron grate, the! In there becoming stale how I do n't need to lay bricks in a house about years... Safety warning above, I 'm using the side of your brick as go! Fireplace Disadvantages: we have two fireplaces downstairs with additional fireplaces in bricks... Floor and hammer the ends off with a shovel to your top.... Commission when you buy through them at no extra cost to you are valid and Identifying! The bricks in a `` running bond '' fashion up room in the chimney idea is to prevent from. Nothing would protrude when plastered about kitchen floor level even after following Tommy Walsh 's mix in batches combined a! Isn ’ t as scary as it sounds – in fact, it 's always hard to say until get. Ratios are debetable frog '' fireplace flue gets sealed up and plastered over, erasing all trace of.... Center of the hole '' removal air vent /brick that is installed in the past others... Crack open the cast iron monstrosity that plugged up the fireplace features gorgeous art deco..