DIY plasterboard over old fireplace

Mike UK · 14 Oct 2009 at 09:26

Hiya,
Just had the plasterers in covering an old fireplace

They done a good job but there's no vent there's vents in the other 2 fireplaces that were removed

Will this cause damp or cause any problems?

Cheers

mjd · 14 Oct 2009 at 09:43

Mike UK said:
Hiya,
Just had the plasterers in covering an old fireplace

They done a good job but there's no vent there's vents in the other 2 fireplaces that were removed

Will this cause damp or cause any problems?

Cheers

We have 4 fireplaces in our house and when we bought the place the surveyor confirmed that they all need to have a vent added to prevent damp.
So yes, it should I would think you do need it vented.

Mike UK · 14 Oct 2009 at 09:52

Ah cheers

I'll get them to add one when they come back

djohn · 14 Oct 2009 at 10:35

mjd is correct. If no vent is installed then your likely to get damp patches at some point on the chimney breast, if not downstairs then upstairs. Also you may get 'Tar bleeds' from when there used to be an open fire in the fireplace many years back, these are black stains on wall and are very difficult to cover up even with special paints for the job. Best place is a small plastic slide vent in the lower section of the plaster-board close to floor.