Fireplace Flue Damper Won T Close

Top dampers fit more tightly than most throat dampers.

Fireplace flue damper won t close.

After years of constant exposure to heat ashes and moisture many fireplace dampers will become stuck warped or inefficient. A functional damper opens and closes easily just by using the handle or lever. Cevans chuck evans cmi trec 7657 september 6 2017 1 59pm. A flue directs smoke outside of a home when a fireplace is in use.

A throat damper which is the most common is located just above the firebox inside of the chimney flue. Often a damper becomes difficult to operate or sticks in one position. Traditionally there are two different types of fireplace dampers. One of the most pervasive causes of a stuck damper is rust often caused when rainwater enters the chimney through a faulty or nonexistent chimney cap.

The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time. Finally if the damper is missing replace it with a top damper so called because it installs at the top of the chimney. Fireplace damper won t open or close. The damper won t close tightly an open damper is the equivalent of an open window in the house allowing all the cold inside and the heat to escape outside.

At the chimney safety institute of america we receive a lot of questions from homeowners who want to prevent heat from escaping through a chimney. A cable running down the chimney to the firebox allows you to open and close the damper. A drafty room is a good indication that the damper isn t closing into the proper position. Fireplace damper clamps chimney chat damper clamps must be installed to lock a fireplace damper in a fully open position when artificial gas logs are installed in a fireplace.

They also come into contact and help stop any moisture or rainwater than makes its way down into the chimney or flue. To be up to code all fireplaces must have a damper. How to close the chimney flue. Fireplace dampers can be subject to intense heat from fires and also have to deal with any smoke soot and ash that pass through them.