Venting chimney breast with sealed fireplace

[catkins79]

Hi,


We have a house from the late 1890s, where all but one of the fires have decorative iron fireplaces that completely seal the flue.

We're having ventilated cowls added to the chimney pots on the roof but have been told we need to add grilles or something similar to ensure air can circulate in the chimney at the fireplace level for those with closed-off flues.

Are we able to do this ourselves? I don't know if it's possible or desirable to somehow add some ventilation holes to (really lovely) cast iron, or whether we need to add a vent to the chimney breast in someway.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Alastairreid]

If its an external wall you can put the low level vent on the outside.

 

[catkins79]

Thanks, it's on a party wall (we're in a semi)… alas.


C

 

[Blagard]

If you were just about to seal up the flues or it is a recent thing then ventilation is something that should be provided for. However, if the fireplaces have been sealed for some time and no problems have emerged then to be honest I don't think there is anything to be gained by fitting vents now.