Best non-permanent way to stop drafts from an unused chimney?

Question

We have two now only decorative coal fires in the house (I mean that they might be functional but we have no intention of using them & would need to the chimneys inspected & cleaned). I've closed the flue hatch (I can't remember the right name; the metal flap you can reach up to by hand) over each one, but there are still drafts, especially when it's very windy.

What's the best way to plug them up & block drafts, but without making it too difficult for any future owners to unblock them if they want to use them? A big wad of rock-wool?

(So don't tell me to fill them up with expanding foam!)

Thanks, Adam

Phil · Accepted Answer

Chimney balloon.

fred · Answer

In article , Adam Funk   writes Scrunched up newspaper works fine, use a couple of plain sheets as an  outer to help form it into a ball.

Chris French · Answer

In message , Adam Funk   writes What have you got lying about. I used a plastic bag and stuffed it with some spare loft insulation,  then stuffed that up the chimmney. News paper?

Brian Gaff · Answer

Whatever happened to chimney balloons?  Brian

thescullster · Answer

Are'nt you supposed to keep some sort of air flow to prevent damp? Not that I have a chimney or know the first thing about them, just  heard/read this somewhere. Phil

Andrew Gabriel · Answer

Yes - must keep a flue vented top and bottom. Just how much depends a bit on the construction of the house, and how much of the chimney is exposed to the outside.

If it's on an outside wall, you can completely block it off from the room at the top of the fireplace, and take a brick out above that to vent the flue to the outside, which prevents the flue ventilation from sapping heat from the room.

Davey · Answer

Perfect.

Allan · Answer

Along similar lines to chimney ballons, try  Allan (no connection with said organisation other than as a customer)

Best non-permanent way to stop drafts from an unused chimney?

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