Bricking-up a fire place

[ray bush]

I need to brick-up my old fireplace as i'm re-decorating do i need to add a small vent ? as this is now the only fireplace in the house ,the chimney has not been capped off ,not sure if that makes any difference.
Thanks

[kpinsiff]

Yes, you should leave a vent as you need an air flow through the chimney to prevent damp. Just leaving it open at the top doesn't create enough air flow. You would also be better off capping the top of the chimney with a special cap that prevents birds and rain coming down the chimney but has holes round the side to allow the air to flow. Birds do have a tendency to fall down chimneys and can't get back out so you'll hear them dying behind the wall. When we opened up a sealed up chimney there were quite a few mummified birds in amongst the soot and rubble. Also bear in mind that fireplaces are sought after features and can add money to the value of your home so make sure you doing the right thing by bricking it up. Period fireplaces are cheap and plentiful on a certain auction website.

[theonlyone]

Lots of people are using fireplaces
as it's cheaper than having the heating
on ...so food for thought ???

[heathfield]

I'd also think about having the chimney swept before bricking up the fireplace. Old soot deposits can eventually fall off in clumps, and there's always the chance that these could form a block in the chimney, preventing proper ventilation.

[Brooksy]

Even capped chimneys can suffer from damp, so a vent or two, one at the bottom & one higher up are essential.

[gucciman]

a pepperpot at the top and a small vent at the bottom will suffice to prevent damp.