Need Your Damper Repaired or Replaced? Schedule an Appointment With Mason’s Chimney Service
Your chimney damper is another seemingly small part of the system that’s doing important work. Its primary function is to seal off the flue when the chimney isn’t in use. In doing so, it helps keep rain and snow out. It also keeps the conditioned air inside of your home from escaping and costing you more money.
The most common problem we see with a chimney damper is it getting stuck in place, either open or closed. Neither is a good situation. Dampers can also come loose or off their bracket, or parts can become brittle or break off due to rust and corrosion after water exposure.
Sometimes damaged dampers can be repaired or reseated, but corroded or brittle dampers need to be replaced. A Mason’s Chimney Service technician can assess your damper and recommend the best course of action for a safe and efficient chimney. Call us today at 800-559-6276 or reach out to us online!
What Are the Different Types of Chimney Dampers?
There are two main types of chimney dampers – the throat damper and the top-mounted damper. Each performs the same function but is installed at different points in the chimney system.
Throat Dampers
Older fireplaces will likely have a throat damper, which would have been installed at the top of the firebox and controlled with a handle or knob inside the firebox or above the fireplace.
In properly maintained chimneys, throat dampers can last a long while. But they can also corrode, come off of their track, and get stuck. If your throat damper is damaged to a point where repair just isn’t safe or reasonable, your Mason’s Chimney Service technician will recommend a replacement damper. We suggest top-mounted dampers to replace these.
Top-Mounted Dampers
Unlike a throat damper, a top-mounted damper isn’t installed by your firebox but at the top of the flue. It is connected by a cable to an adjustable bracket that’s secured to the fireplace wall.
Top-mounted dampers – also known as top-end dampers – are better choices for a variety of reasons. They have a gasket that creates a tight seal to better keep out the elements when the damper is closed. Even when it’s open, the damper has a cap built in that will help keep out debris, rain, snow, and animals. These dampers also bring increased energy efficiency since that tight seal helps keep your temperate air in, and stops you from expending energy to heat up or cool down the air in your chimney.
Many homeowners choose to replace even fully functioning throat dampers with top-mounted dampers to take advantage of those benefits.
How Do I Maintain and Clean a Chimney Damper?
First and foremost, be sure to keep up with your regular chimney maintenance to keep the damper and the whole chimney system in peak condition. However, there are some things you can do during the burning season when you’re in between chimney inspections and sweepings.
When your chimney cools down completely, take a look at the damper. If it’s clogged with soot or dusty debris, use a wire brush to wipe away a light layer. For anything more heavy-duty, call Mason’s Chimney Service to schedule an appointment for a chimney sweep. Once it’s you’ve cleared away the light layer of soot, open and close the damper a few times. If it sticks, try a high-temperature lubricant to help the parts move smoothly. If that doesn’t work, there may be an issue with the damper that needs to be looked at by one of our expert chimney technicians, so you should call us to schedule an inspection.
How Often Should I Have My Chimney Damper Inspected?
There isn’t a specific inspection that only focuses on the damper, but it is assessed as part of your chimney inspection. To make sure your chimney is safe to use, you should schedule a chimney inspection once every year as recommended by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
During a chimney inspection, one of our chimney technicians will assess the damper’s functionality and check for signs of damage, wear, or leaks that could impact its ability to open and close properly.
Call Us To Install or Upgrade Your Damper Today!
Is your chimney damper in need of repair or replacement? Are you interested in making the switch from a throat damper to a top-mounted damper? We can help you with all of your damper needs. Reach out to Mason’s Chimney Service to have one of our certified technicians take a look! You can click here to schedule an appointment or give us a call now at 800-559-6276.
Your factory-built system requires a chase cover on its “chimney,” which is called a chase. At Mason’s Chimney Service, we perform this type of chimney and fireplace installation on a regular basis, so you’re in good hands.