Drafty Fireplace?

[summerrluvv]

We have a fireplace in our playroom and it's FREEZING in there. The cold air comes right down the chimney, not sure what the deal is with it, but I think it's missing the damper? (I rent, landlord doesn't really care, done bugging him about it). Is there some kind of insultating screen or something I can buy to stop the draft? I'd rather not have to run a portable heater when the kids are in there. Thanks!!

 

[C.Ann]

You could buy glass doors, but it's not your responsibility.. I would call the landlord and insist that he/she either install a new damper or find a suitable, attractive way to close off the fireplace..

 

[momrek06]

Ohhh we had the same situation with our basement playroom. DH went to LOWES and bought the thickest piece of wood they sell. He gave them his measurements. He measured more than the opening of the fireplace...like the whole perimeter. Then brought it home, painted it jet black and put it in place and then put the fireplace screen in front of it. NO ONE COULD TELL that we had closed it up ourselves.

 

[golfgal]

You could get a piece of insulation and stick it up the flue-just remember to take it out if you light a fire. Sometimes you have to physically pull down the damper, can you see if there is a hook on that? Usually there is a knob to turn somewhere around the fireplace but sometimes not.

 

[summerrluvv]

See I don't want to close it off, I just wanted something removable since we do use the fireplace. Hmm, I might just have to make something with thermal drapes or something

 

[momrek06]

See I don't want to close it off, I just wanted something removable since we do use the fireplace. Hmm, I might just have to make something with thermal drapes or something

We no longer own this house...I just remembered, DH also attached handles, like cabinet handles to the front of the wood to easily move it. We did use that fireplace allot but when we didn't, we put the heavy duty wood in front of it.

 

[summerrluvv]

You could get a piece of insulation and stick it up the flue-just remember to take it out if you light a fire. Sometimes you have to physically pull down the damper, can you see if there is a hook on that? Usually there is a knob to turn somewhere around the fireplace but sometimes not.

There is nothing around the fireplace and I can't really fit in there to see up it. Hmm I wonder if there is a knob up there or something

 

[summerrluvv]

We no longer own this house...I just remembered, DH also attached handles, like cabinet handles to the front of the wood to easily move it. We did use that fireplace allot but when we didn't, we put the heavy duty wood in front of it.

Ohh that would work then with the handles. I think I'll take a trip to Lowes tomorrow, thanks everyone!!

 

[DawnCt1]

There is nothing around the fireplace and I can't really fit in there to see up it. Hmm I wonder if there is a knob up there or something

There should be a handle hanging down to close the damper. It would be unusual to have it removed...unless the landlord was afraid that a renter would have a fire in the fireplace and not open the damper.

 

[golfgal]

There is nothing around the fireplace and I can't really fit in there to see up it. Hmm I wonder if there is a knob up there or something

Even if you do find a way to close the damper you will probably still have a draft so either way the insulation will be a good idea. If the flue is totally open you will want to stick a board or something up there so close it off so you don't end up with birds and squirrels or worse in the house.

 

[summerrluvv]

There should be a handle hanging down to close the damper. It would be unusual to have it removed...unless the landlord was afraid that a renter would have a fire in the fireplace and not open the damper.

No one has rented this house before us, it was a flip they couldn't sell, so I doubt that they removed anything purposely.

 

[summerrluvv]

Even if you do find a way to close the damper you will probably still have a draft so either way the insulation will be a good idea. If the flue is totally open you will want to stick a board or something up there so close it off so you don't end up with birds and squirrels or worse in the house.

My concern last winter was the animals also, but I don't think it's totally open...there is a cap on the top of the chimney I can see on the roof with little holes on the sides.

 

[shortbun]

wish you lived around here, I'd send my husband over. He's been in the chimney business for 30 years. He did say that using a wood piece to close it might be dangerous if there were coals still live and you try to put the wood door/closure in. He also suggested a stove board which sits underneath a wood stove and lean it against the opening. His concern-a house fire if you do not have a totally extinguished fire. Perhaps you have a damper but it simply has come unseated/misaligned and would be easy to fix. He would charge about $50 but we're in Ohio. could be more expensive to reseat the damper where you are. Good luck.

Insulation is very flamable. Don't stick random insulation up there.

 

[momrek06]

He did say that using a wood piece to close it might be dangerous if there were coals still live and you try to put the wood door/closure in.

In case you are referring to my posts re: the heavy piece of wood in front of the opening...we owned the house for 15 years...we would never put the wood closure in front of the fireplace while the coals are still hot........ AND I am so sure, summer, would not do that either.

Also it is NOT a door...it is just a piece of wood leaning up against the opening of the fireplace...that is all. Measured larger than the opening so that the wood leans neatly against the walls of the opening. Attached some cabinet handles and remove it easily when using the fireplace.

 

[dawson5]

we had this problem when hubby and I first went to housekeeping. He bought a piece of plexiglass and taped it to the front of the fireplace. It sealed out all of the drafts. We did not use the fireplace, were a bit worried because of the shady things our landlord did. Our youngest DS's scout leader took window insulation kit and put that around his (the kind you use the hairdryer to seal). That might be fun to remove the sticky residue afterwards but their family room was not drafty.

 

[PADISFAM]

we did the plexiglass in front of ours too -- but it doesn't really do the best job -- I'm thinking I like the wood idea............