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In summary there are two main ways to help make your fireplace less drafty: Closing the damper between fires. Inserting a draft excluder or balloon into your chimney between fires.
How do I stop the cold air coming in my fireplace?
Keep cold air out Along with the common throat damper located just above the firebox, some homeowners add a top-sealing damper at the top of the chimney to double their protection. Another great way to block cold air is with a chimney balloon or plug.
How do I make my fireplace less drafty?
7 Other Ways to Fix a Drafty Fireplace Check the seals around your flue damper. Insulate your chimney. Install a heat-exchange system. Replace the damper. Consider a chimney cover or cap. Consider a fireplace insert. Have your chimney inspected by a certified chimney sweep.
How do I stop my fireplace Backdraft?
How to Prevent Chimney Downdraft Shut Off Exhaust Fans: When your fireplace is in use, turn off your exhaust fans, as they naturally increase negative pressure by pulling air out of the house. Adjust Your Damper: If your damper is warped, you might need to adjust it slightly to get the right airflow.
Why is my fireplace so drafty?
What Causes a Drafty Fireplace? When there isn’t a fire in the the fireplace, then the fireplace and chimney are just another opening to the out doors. Both indoor and cold outside air will flow in the direction of high-pressure moving to low-pressure.
How do you insulate around a fireplace insert?
Apply insulation (batt or spray foam) within the framing of the wall up to the ceiling or roof line. Install a thin structural sheathing material (e.g., drywall, rigid insulation, lightweight steel or aluminum sheeting). Bend the liner at the corners or seal seams with a bead of adhesive.
How do you seal a fireplace insert?
Adhesive Strips Available at many hardware and home improvement stores, small rolls of fiberglass-based stripping can be cut to size and applied in noticeable gaps between an insert and the masonry on the outside face of a fireplace, underneath the insert.
How do I close my fireplace damper?
To open or close the damper, lift the handle and push or pull to move the damper to the desired position. Replace the handle when the damper is in place.
How do I stop the wind from blowing smoke down my chimney?
Wind Noises A chimney balloon and a flue blocker are two fast and easy solutions. A chimney balloon is placed inside the chimney and is then inflated. It gets rid of the noise, keeps the cold air out and the warm air inside. A flue blocker works in the same way, except it’s easier to install than the chimney balloon.
How do you fix a chimney draft problem?
Solutions for a Draft Chimney Keep the damper open whenever a fire is burning. If your damper doesn’t work properly, get it replaced. Leave a few of the windows cracked to allow fresh air into the home and smoky air out. Limit your use of green wood or wet wood straight from the outdoors.
Why is my fireplace cold?
A damper is a metal flap in your chimney that blocks cold air from coming in and warm air from escaping. If you have the damper closed, but cold air still sweeps across the room, it’s very likely that your damper is worn, cracked, warped, or generally degraded.
Why does air come out of my fireplace?
When a fire is being burned in a fireplace or heating stove, the air or gas in the chimney flue is warmer than the outdoor air. Because of its buoyancy, the warm air or gas rises, creating the desired upward flow, ensuring the draft is properly venting the combustion byproducts out of the home.
How do you seal gaps around a fireplace?
Small gaps in mortar can be repaired with a special high-temperature caulk called refractory caulk. It contains silica for heat resistance and is specifically designed for fireplaces. This fix is a fairly quick, easy, and inexpensive process.
Can you use regular insulation around a fireplace?
Fiberglass insulation is naturally fire-resistant. This makes it an ideal insulation material for use in areas that experience high temperatures. As such, it can be used to insulate a chimney.
What kind of insulation is fireproof?
Fiberglass: Made of glass that is spun into fibers, then combined with plastic polymers, fiberglass insulation is naturally fire resistant.
Can you caulk around fireplace insert?
Just about anything will do there – if it is between face and drywall sounds like it might be pre-fab (metal) fireplace. Caulk should be non-combustiblewe have used silicone, etc. which is good to 500F +.
What can I seal my fireplace with?
Fireplace 101: 6 Ways To Seal Your Fireplace Option #1: Inflatable Chimney Balloon. Option #2: Fireplace Cover or Door. Option #3: Insulating foam board. Option #4: Specialized Fireplace Damper With Rubber Seals. Option #5: Drape of Plastic or Insulated Magnetic Fireplace Cover. Option #6: Thin Slab of Stone.
Should you insulate around a fireplace insert?
A fireplace insert is generally more energy efficient than a traditional fireplace, but still requires insulation. Insulation should be tucked around all sides of the firebox and the flue.
