Book Your Fireplace Damper Repair With Stove Depot in Grand Junction

What Does the Fireplace Damper Do?

Where is the fireplace damper and what’s its role in your fireplace? A fireplace damper is a movable metal plate inside the chimney, located either just above the smoke chamber at the bottom of the flue or at the top of the flue, depending on the type of damper you have. 

What does it do?

• Opens and closes to regulate the flow of air and smoke through the chimney. 
• Shuts tight to block out cold temps and wind when the fireplace is not in use
• Keeps outside drafts, rain, snow, and debris from entering the fireplace and chimney.
• Helps prevent animals or birds from nesting inside your chimney or entering your home.
• Helps the fire burn more efficiently, ensuring it gets enough oxygen.
• Prevents smoke and harmful gases, like carbon monoxide, from entering your living space.

How Do You Open a Fireplace Damper?

If you have a traditional throat damper, most will open according to these steps:

• Locate the handle or level, usually found inside the fireplace, just above the firebox opening. (If no level is spotted, some dampers use a pull chain or a rotating knob attached to the damper plate.)
• Make sure there’s no debris, ashes, or objects blocking the damper.
• If it’s a lever or handle, gently pull or push it to open the damper. Usually, moving the handle towards the fireplace opening will open the damper plate.
• If it’s a rotating knob, turn the handle or knob until the damper is fully open (usually perpendicular to the chimney flue).
• For chain-operated dampers, pull the chain gently until you feel the damper plate open fully.
• Look or feel inside the chimney with a flashlight to ensure the metal plate is raised or rotated away, ensuring it’s then safe to light your fires.

Do you have a top-sealing damper? Follow these steps to open it:

Look inside your fireplace, usually just inside the firebox near the lintel (the upper front edge). You’ll see either a metal handle, chain, or cable attached to the damper.

• If it’s a spring-loaded cable or chain system, pull down and lock the control into the open position using the hook or bracket installed on the wall of the firebox.
• If it has a locking handle, rotate or slide it according to the manufacturer’s instructions to open the damper.
• Listen or feel for it opening. You may hear a faint metal sound or feel less resistance once the damper is open. In some cases, you might feel a draft as the flue opens. 

Remember to only open the damper before starting a fire to ensure proper ventilation, and always close it when the fireplace is not in use to prevent heat loss and block downdrafts, animals, or debris.

How Do I Know if My Chimney Damper Is Broken?

Your chimney damper is an essential part of your fireplace, controlling airflow and keeping your home safer and more energy efficient. …and if your damper isn’t working properly, it can cause problems, like smoke entering your home, heat loss when fires aren’t lit, or cold downdrafts. 

The sooner you can invest in damper repairs, the better, so stay vigilant. Here are common signs that your chimney damper might be broken or malfunctioning:

• Smoke is entering your home when fires are lit. If smoke backs up into your living space instead of going up the chimney, your damper may not be opening fully.
• You have a hard time opening and closing the damper.If the damper handle or lever feels stuck, stiff, or impossible to move, this could mean the damper is rusted, warped, or damaged.
• You experience downdrafts when the fireplace is not in use. If you feel cold air coming into your home through the fireplace, even when the damper is closed, it might be damaged or failing to seal tightly.
• You spot rust, damage, or corrosion. If you can manage it, try to inspect the damper plate for signs of rust or corrosion – damage can compromise its ability to open and close.
• The damper won’t stay in the right place.If the damper won’t stay fully open or closed, the mechanism may be broken or worn out.

What should you do if you have concerns about the state of your fireplace damper? Easy – call on us. DIY fixes can lead to further damage or, worse, a false sense of security when using your fireplace. Instead, schedule aprofessional chimney inspection and avoid using the fireplace until repairs can be administered.

Where Is the Fireplace Damper Located?

Well, it depends on the type of damper you have. If you’re wanting to check on the state of your fireplace damper, there are a couple places to look.

• Right above the smoke chamber.In traditional masonry fireplaces, the damper is usually found at the throat of the flue (i.e., the narrow space just above the firebox opening). 
• At the top of the chimney. Many nowadays use a top-sealing damper, which is located at the very top of the chimney flue, alongside the crown and chimney cap.

You’ll want to know exactly where your damper is located to ensure you know the right to open and operate it. In addition, you’ll know where to look if you suspect damage or malfunctions. 

What’s Better – a Throat Damper or a Top-Sealing Damper?

The two most common types of fireplace dampers are throat dampers and top-sealing dampers.

Throat damperswere always the norm for traditional masonry fireplaces. They’re located above the firebox, right where the flue begins, and they usually consist of a metal plate that pivots open and closed via a handle or lever inside the fireplace.

While throat dampers have done a great job for decades, they weren’t without some issues. For one, they aren’t known for having a tight seal, making them more prone to leak air and drafts into the home. In addition, throat dampers are prone to rust and corrode due to extra exposure to smoke and heat within the chimney.

Top-sealing dampersare installed at the top of the chimney. They’re made of metal and seal tightly at the top of the flue’s opening, operating by a level or cable by the fireplace opening. These create a much tighter seal than throat dampers, preventing drafts and heat loss. They can also work as a chimney cap, helping to keep rain, snow, animals, and debris out of the chimney.

Nowadays, most sweeps will recommend upgrading to a top-sealing damper if your throat damper isn’t doing its job. Since top-sealing options are rust-resistant (made from materials like stainless steel), and can improve energy efficiency in your home by offering a better seal, the long-term benefits and savings are undeniable.

Protect Your Fireplace: Work With Us

Keep your fireplace working smoother and your home as comfortable as possible with professional damper repair services from the team here at Stove Depot. Serving Grand Junction and the surrounding areas, our team is dedicated to delivering reliable, prompt service, every time.

Contact us now to schedule your fireplace damper repair or chimney inspection.