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No_Coyote_ t1_iubgj6e wrote

Just stuff some fiber glass batt insulation up into the flu. Easily removable when your lease is over.

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thecosmicradiation OP t1_iubkb9x wrote

Will blocking the flue cause any issues with condensation?

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No_Coyote_ t1_iubo5oi wrote

Looks like an old house and not very airtight. I don’t think condensation would be any issue whatsoever.

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thecosmicradiation OP t1_iubwmya wrote

It is an extremely old house. Right now the airflow doesn't bother me so much because we're coming into summer but I imagine in autumn I'll want to block it more effectively.

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MidnightAdventurer t1_iucjvwd wrote

Condensation seems unlikely to be a significant issue. The only major issue I can see is if rain gets in the top of the chimney and you get a whole lot of water in there. Whether or not this is possible very much depends on what the top looks like
Is it safe for you to access the top of the chimney and put a cap over it or otherwise block it from the outside?

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PerspectivePure2169 t1_iubyr9y wrote

You don't want to use fiberglass batt for this. It's permeable and a chimney has a powerful draft effect even without a fire. It will still leak and will probably get wet and moldy.

You can always spot where the air leaks are in tops of walls up in attics because the fiberglass insulation gets filthy there. It's just an air filter in that case.

Chimney balloons are cheap and effective. Rigid foam insulation spray foamed into place is even better. Whatever it is should be damp proof and air impermeable.

For OP, there will still be enough air movement for the brick to dry itself above the plug if you do this fix.

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