The most typical motive for blocking up a fire is to tidy up an previous opening, left from the removing of an previous hearth and its encompass.
Whereas there are many lovely hearth concepts on the market to swimsuit all types of inside schemes, in some circumstances it makes extra sense to create a flush end as a substitute. In some circumstances, simply partially blocking up a fire opening will be required the place a brand new kind of fireplace is being put in.
No matter your causes for blocking up a fire is perhaps, our simple-to-follow information is right here to clarify all the pieces it is advisable know in an effort to get the job accomplished, for a flawless last end.
Is obstructing up a fire a good suggestion?
With so many lovely empty hearth concepts to select from, you would possibly properly be questioning why anybody would go to the difficulty of blocking up a fire. Nevertheless, there are a number of the reason why some householders select to sort out the duty, largely primarily based round fixing the difficulty of warmth loss attributable to chimneys.
“We’ve got dealt many fireplaces, from completely eradicating them to bricking them up,” picks up Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT) and director at AC Design Answer, Zaeem Chaudhary. “The primary motive why individuals brick up the fireside and chimney is to get rid of warmth loss, in addition to to stop damp forming throughout the unused chimney. Another excuse is to offer extra usable wall area.”
Whereas there are advantages available from blocking up a redundant hearth, the job must be carried out correctly in an effort to keep away from inflicting points elsewhere throughout the dwelling.
Zaeem Chaudhary, MCIAT, is director of AC Design Answer, a multidisciplinary apply delivering structure, structural engineering, and social gathering wall providers throughout London and the UK.
block up a fire
Simply as when opening up a fire, this can be a job that many owners undertake on a DIY foundation. Nevertheless, to make sure that you’re not inflicting extra issues than you are fixing by blocking up the fireside, it is advisable perceive that the job is not only a case of bricking up the prevailing opening and strolling away.
There are a number of steps that go into making this kind of challenge a hit so be sure you observe them intently in an effort to make the job worthwhile.
1. Take away the again boiler if current
When renovating an previous home, you would possibly discover a again boiler inside your hearth.
“A again boiler is an old style heating system that makes use of warmth from the fireplace to heat water for each home use and for the central heating,” explains Neil Griffiths, director of Foxley Constructing Co. “Earlier than blocking up the fireside this must be eliminated, as soon as the plumbing has been remoted and disconnected.”
There isn’t any have to take away the fireback earlier than bricking up begins – this could merely be left in place.
Neil Griffiths is director of Foxley Constructing Co. and has been constructing, extending, changing and renovating all types of properties for over 30 years.
2. Remember about air flow
When blocking up a fire you will want to make sure you incorporate some type of air flow. With out this you possibly can run into all types of points with damp and, ultimately, mould inside your previous chimney.
“Insufficient air flow ultimately results in chimney rot,” warns Zaeem Chaudhary.
“With a view to keep away from moisture increase within the chimney area, the place it collects on soot deposits, air flow must be put into place,” explains Neil Griffiths. “That is easy simply by incorporating an airbrick as you go about bricking up the previous opening.”
3. Cap and sweep the chimney
You need to be certain that, after your hearth has been blocked up, particles, fowl droppings and even the birds themselves, cannot discover their approach down the chimney and into the brand new void that your hearth removing has left behind.
“Capping the chimney permits for air flow concurrently retaining rain, dust and so forth. out,” explains Neil Griffiths. “The only technique is to suit a chimney cowl with air flow to the highest of the pot.”
It’s pretty uncommon to take away the whole chimney, however the place chimney breast removing is being undertaken, specialist enter shall be required.
“Typically partial removing to the roof line is carried out,” says Zaeem Chaudhary. “Full removing wants planning permission and is main structural work.”
Lastly, it’s smart to present the chimney a last sweep earlier than blocking up commences. Depart the damper (if there’s one) in an open place for extra air flow.
De Vielle Chook guard cowl
This terracotta-coloured chimney cowl is designed to be straightforward to suit and to maintain all types of undesirable dust and particles out of your blocked up hearth.
4. Brick up the opening
With the previous opening clear, ventilated and clear, it’s time to start the duty of bricking the fireside up. Neil Griffiths takes us via the steps.
- Lay the primary row of bricks, leaving round 1cm between every. This could provide you with an concept of whether or not you will want to chop bricks earlier than you begin. Keep in mind that every brick on the next rows will should be centred over the mortar joint of the brick under.
- Barely dampen the brickwork surrounding the opening to make it simpler for the mortar to stick to.
- Lay the primary row of bricks on a mattress of mortar (made utilizing a combination of 4:1 sand and cement.) Keep in mind to use mortar to the ends of the bricks and the perimeters of the opening.
- Remember to suit the airbrick. Centrally within the third row is an efficient spot, or someplace it will not be obstructed by the brand new skirting. It ought to sit just a little happy with the remainder of the bricks, in step with the plasterwork of the encircling wall. Use a straight edge to assist.
- If you get to the highest row of bricks, should you discover that full top bricks will not match, you need to use damaged items of brick or roof tile, set inside mortar, to fill the hole.
- As soon as the mortar has dried, the brickwork will be plastered over (avoiding the airbrick) and new skirting fitted for a tidy end.
Round saws come in useful for all types of DIY jobs, together with reducing bricks to suit completely into a fire opening in want of blocking up. This one is especially straightforward to make use of due to it being cordless.
Magnusson Pointing trowel
With its delicate grip deal with and finger guard, this trowel will come in useful for all types of duties, from laying bricks into your hearth to repointing small areas of brickwork. It measures 152mm in size.
Blue Circle Mastercrete Gray Cement
The best measurement for smaller DIY jobs, this 12.5kg pack of cement is ideal for each inside and exterior jobs, giving a clean end and long-lasting outcomes. One other bonus is the waterproof packaging which retains it dry till wanted.
FAQs
Is obstructing up a fire with plasterboard a good suggestion?
Some individuals select to dam up a fire utilizing plasterboard moderately than bricks. On this case, you will want to assemble a timber body across the inside the opening, setting it again barely, the identical thickness because the board.
Screw the plasterboard to the battens (guaranteeing you could have learn up on drilling into plasterboard first) and match a ventilator board in the direction of the underside. It’s a good suggestion so as to add reinforcement with tape across the edges of the board, earlier than skimming over the entire thing.
Whereas this technique is easy, keep in mind that, for bigger openings, greater than 600mm in width, you will want to suit an extra, central batten, to strengthen the boarding up. A bricked up opening affords a extra strong answer.
Many householders finishing up this activity additionally look into tips on how to plaster a wall given the smaller nature of the duty after blocking up a fire.
