How to Fix a Draft From the Fireplace
There's nothing like a burning fireplace to take the chill of cold weather out of a room. A fireplace adds a cozy ambiance to a room. When the fireplace isn't burning, though, you may feel a cold draft, even if the damper is shut. That draft leaks air into your home, and lowers the temperature. You then find yourself turning up the thermostat to stay warm. There goes any money you're saving by using a fireplace. To fix this problem, you need to seal the fireplace with a draft stopper when it isn't in use. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check the damper to make sure it's completely closed. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the draft stopper package in order to obtain the best results. Remove the draft stopper and the height tee from their package. The most common stopper is an inflatable air pillow.
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Locate and open the air valve on the fireplace draft stopper. Blow it up with your lips so it's full, but not rock hard. Close the air valve.
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Turn the fireplace draft stopper so the fire warning label is on the bottom side. Install the draft stopper up and into the top of the fireplace, below the damper. Open the valve and add a few more breaths of air to it. Look to make sure the entire opening is sealed shut.
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Adjust the height tee so it fits snugly underneath the fireplace draft stopper. Place the tee up and against the stopper in the middle of the fireplace. Slide the main pole over so it stands up straight. The fireplace is now sealed so no drafts can enter the room.
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Tips & Warnings
Using the height tee is optional. If you don't want the fireplace draft stopper to be seen, remove the tee. Using the tee -- along with its fire warning label -- will help remind you to remove the draft stopper before the fireplace is used again.
Make sure the fireplace is completely cooled down and is not smoking if you've recently built a fire in it.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
