Cold air from Fireplace/Mantle

[mjohare]

Our fireplace and mantle area seem to be the most drafty part of our older (1942) home. Not only does cold air come in directly through the fireplace, but it also is coming in through the seems between the mantle and the wall. The tiles in front of the fireplace are quite cold to touch, as is the hardwood within a foot or so of the tiles. I've lived in houses of a similar era and the fireplaces never seemed so drafty. Why might our fireplace area be so cold? And what can be done to fix this? I DEFINATELY want to keep a wood burning fireplace and have no interest at this time to switch to a gas unit.

[Bullseye]

I have a newer home with a gas fireplace, and have the same problem. I even tried turning off the gas and sealing the direct vent for awhile, but cold air still got in somehow. I'm about ready to rip the whole thing out.

[chris647]

I had the same problem with my wood burning fireplace. I didn't plan on using it this winter so I sealed it up with one of those Window Kits with the shrink wrapped plastic. Works like a charm, now my basement is warm!

Comfort Plus Window Kit

[astroboi]

I used foam backer rod and caulking to seal the gap around our brick fire place. We had a blower door test done and you could feel a swift breeze from the edges of the fireplace.

[gr8dlr]

Build a box of sorts big enough to cover the fireplace opening...made of that pink foam insulation sheets to cover the opening (open on the back and bottom). I built a box out of wood and insulated it - helps a lot.

[Neb]

I have the same problem. I have extra pink foam sheets. R7.5 left over, so i cut a piece that just slides to cover the chimney opening. Can't even see it when look at the fireplace. helps a bit, still some cold air coming in through the insulation and the brick. But better than before.

[BuddyGuy]

I used foam backer rod and caulking to seal the gap around our brick fire place. We had a blower door test done and you could feel a swift breeze from the edges of the fireplace.

Did you find it helped (the test)? How much was it, and who performed the test?

[kalkama]

I have a fireplace with sort of a metal vent which I push up when using the fireplace. The problem is when the vent is closed some air seem to seep in. I am wondering if there is something I can put around the vent to make it air tight, also that would have to be heat proof since I do use the fireplace ocassionally.

[b233314]

I had the same problem with my wood burning fireplace. I didn't plan on using it this winter so I sealed it up with one of those Window Kits with the shrink wrapped plastic. Works like a charm, now my basement is warm!

Comfort Plus Window Kit

I used this same method as we do not use our wood burning fireplace as it smokes up the house. So until we fix that problem, I've sealed it with the window kit. Works great.

[mlc2000]

I have a newer home with a gas fireplace, and have the same problem. I even tried turning off the gas and sealing the direct vent for awhile, but cold air still got in somehow. I'm about ready to rip the whole thing out.

Don't shut off the pilot...gas spiders will creep into the guts and u'll need a gas fitter to fix it. MY buddy is a gas fitter, he does lots of these 'repairs'.

[Bullseye]

Don't shut off the pilot...gas spiders will creep into the guts and u'll need a gas fitter to fix it. MY buddy is a gas fitter, he does lots of these 'repairs'.

Gas spiders?

I've got it on now, anyways, the pilot light gives off just enough heat to somewhat offset all the cold air coming in. So it's a costly stop-gap fix for now.

[jed]

Having just installed a new fireplace, I'd bet that the gap is where the pipe goes through the wall or roof, allowing cold area to leak in. We had this issue too, but got it good and sealed up before installing the stone. Perhaps a heat resistant silicone for the warm places, and foam backer rod for others?