Doris

[JanieB]

I've installed wooden double glazing in the extension and had the original windows refurbished and draft proofed. But I still have a gale force wind woohooing up or down the chimney. How do you draft proof walls? My bedroom is in the attic and not only can I feel the draft through the walls, I can smell my next door neighbour's perfume. The oldest part of the house is stone and cob. From an insurance point of view that is another story as not included in their list of building materials.

 

[88v8]

Chimney.
Good.
Ventilation.
Essential for health and to fend off damp.

Unlike the perishing whisps that come through the joints in the timber frame right by where I'm writing this, but only in a northerly which is seldom.

Benefitting from the odiferous delights of perfume you didn't even have to pay for is surely a bonus?
Draught-proofing walls would usually involve external cladding, or a render which internally is sometimes referred to as 'plaster' to justify the extra cost.

Preventing walls being requisitioned by the military is outwith my expertise. :wink:

Ivor

 

[1610ness]

Could you use one of these when the chimney is not in use?

https://www.chimneysheep.co.uk/

 

[Flyfisher]

See also 'chimney balloons' - a slightly different method but with the same objective. We used one at our previous house with an open fire because during the summer we often had 'chimney reversal' where sooty-smelling air would come down the chimney and the chimney balloon prevented this. We don't use one here as we've never had the same problem, even before fitting stoves which pretty much removes the need anyway.