Chimney Damper Repair & Replacement Services: Count On Us
Chances are, your fireplace was built with a damper plate just above the firebox, which must be opened before you light a fire in your fireplace. The purpose of the damper is to prevent the heat and conditioned air in your home from exiting through the chimney when the fireplace is not in use. It’s also designed to keep all that cold or hot outside air (depending on the season) from coming in and making your home uncomfortable.
If you’re concerned your damper needs some repairs or a replacement, count on our crew. We’re here and happy to help! Call 610-626-2439 or book online with us now.
Chimney Damper Repair & Replacement Services: Count On Us
Chances are, your fireplace was built with a damper plate just above the firebox, which must be opened before you light a fire in your fireplace. The purpose of the damper is to prevent the heat and conditioned air in your home from exiting through the chimney when the fireplace is not in use. It’s also designed to keep all that cold or hot outside air (depending on the season) from coming in and making your home uncomfortable.
If you’re concerned your damper needs some repairs or a replacement, co
What Does a Chimney Damper Do?
There are lots of ways chimney dampers help keep your chimney and fireplace in good condition and better regulated. In fact, chimney dampers have a purpose both when your fireplace is in use and when it isn’t…
When using your fireplace:
- Chimney dampers open to let out the flow of smoke and hazardous fumes.
- Chimney dampers can be adjusted to control the intensity of your fire.
When not using your fireplace:
- Chimney dampers keep air-conditioned/heated air in your home.
- Chimney dampers stop downdrafts from swooping into your living space.
- Chimney dampers can aid in keeping out debris and moisture.
- Chimney dampers can prevent animal invasion.
So, if you’re wondering… Is a chimney damper totally necessary? The easy answer is yes! These components are one of many that play a vital role in keeping your chimney safer and better protected, so that you can properly use it for many more years to come.
Want To Get Rid Of Drafts & Sky-Rocketing Energy Bills?
It might be time to replace your chimney damper.
Unfortunately, due to the location of the damper — quite literally in the line of fire — the plate and frame tend to warp from the heat over time or deteriorate as a result of creosote buildup.
Another common problem with these throat dampers is that they can rust as a result of rain coming down through the chimney, a chimney leak, or condensation and moisture from the fire. When this happens:
- You may find it difficult or even impossible to open or close your damper
- You may notice that the damper no longer keeps outside air out
- You may see a rise in energy bills because the damper is allowing heat and conditioned air to escape up through the chimney
Unfortunately, these dampers have always had a disadvantage because they provide a metal-on-metal seal, which is far from perfect. Even when a throat damper is in perfect condition, it still leaks heat and conditioned air up the flue. But if your damper is nonfunctional, damaged, or you’re simply tired of wasting heat and feeling cold or hot outside air coming in through your fireplace, even when the damper is closed, we’ve got the perfect solution: a chimney top-damper.
What Are Top-Mounted Dampers?
Chimney top dampers or top-mounted dampers are dampers that fit on top of the chimney flue, instead of down above the firebox. These dampers look similar to a chimney cap, but they have a cable that runs down through the flue and attaches to a handle, making it easy for you to open and close the damper as needed — in fact, these are typically easier to operate than most throat dampers!
They also have a built-in gasket, so when they do close, they keep 100% of your heat and conditioned air within your home, and keep 100% of that outside air out of your home. That means, with a top-mounted damper, you’re not paying to heat and cool your home, just to lose that conditioned air through your chimney.
Another major benefit to installing a top-mounted damper is that, because these dampers sit at the top of the chimney, when closed, they’ll work like a chimney cap to keep water, animals, and debris out of your chimney. Added energy savings, added flue protection, all in one product.
Signs Your Chimney Damper Needs To Be Replaced
Because the damper has such an important role, it’s clear that you need to replace it as soon as signs of trouble are noted. This is a big reason why booking those annual chimney inspections with our crew is such a must! Yet, in addition to that, we encourage our customers to keep an eye for the following issues – then alert us as soon as possible.
- You’re having trouble opening and closing the damper.
- Your experience more downdrafts in your home than usual.
- You’re noticing smoky odors in your home, even when not using your fireplace.
- You hear noises from your chimney – like clanking or banging – when winds are especially high.
- You find it challenging to keep your home temperature regulated.
- Water has been leaking into your fireplace.
- You have trouble starting fires in your fireplace.
Can I Install a Chimney Damper Myself?
We’ll never recommend installing any chimney components yourself – or completing any do-it-yourself chimney repairs, for that matter. This a home feature that hosts flames – in your living room – and even a small issue can turn into a big, dangerous, and expensive-to-address problem over time. That’s why the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) exists – to ensure homeowners are getting care from properly-trained technicians every step of the way.
To sum up… When it comes to your fireplace and chimney, working with the pros is always the better route. Ensure you get the highest level of care you deserve by hiring our experienced and knowledgeable sweeps from the very start. Call us now or book online with us today.
Our Stainless Steel Top-Mounted Dampers Provide a Lifetime of Protection — Guaranteed
While many top-mounted dampers are made of inferior aluminum and lack screening, here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service, we sell and install quality stainless steel dampers that have screening, which prevents animal, bird, and debris entry when the damper is in the “open” position. And just like our chimney caps, our dampers are backed by a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty, so you and your chimney can enjoy a lifetime of protection — guaranteed.
Give Us a Call
If your damper is damaged, non-functioning, or you’d simply like to upgrade your current damper to a top-mounted damper and start enjoying energy savings, give us a call at 610-626-2439 or fill out our contact form here on our website. We’re here to help!
Our chimney and fireplace repairs include firebox repairs and rebuilds. Contact us today to find out more about these options.