Is Your Damper Damaged or Stuck in Place? Let Us Take a Look
Your damper is one piece of chimney anatomy that won’t be ignored. If it’s not opened before you light a fire, you’ll have smoke in your home in a hurry. And if it’s not shut after the fire is out, cold downdrafts will come swooping down into your home.
But when your damper stops working and no longer effectively does its job, we can help. Sometimes problems are major, sometimes they’re minor. But whether you simply need a pin replaced or it’s time to consider a new damper, English Sweep, Inc. has your back.
Let’s talk dampers…
What & Where Is the Damper?
What’s interesting about dampers is that their role changes based on whether or not your system is in use.
When a fire isn’t lit, the damper stays sealed up tight, ensuring your home has an easier time maintaining a comfortable temperature, no matter the temp outside. This ensures your HVAC system isn’t working extra hard, and it keeps your monthly utility bills in an appropriate range, too.
When it’s time to light a fire, the damper is opened up. It should easily open, so that any fumes, smoke, and vapors produced by your fire can safely move up your chimney and out of your home.
English Sweep Chimney – Damper Repair
The damper opening can also be adjusted to help control the size of your fires. More oxygen means bigger, brighter fires, and if you shut the damper a bit, your fire will die down a little.
Throat Dampers vs. Top-End Dampers – Which is Better for Me?
Throat dampers are what people typically think of when they picture a damper. They’re located at the bottom of the chimney, and they can be opened or shut with an easily-accessible lever in the fireplace.
There’s no denying that throat dampers have done what they’re supposed to do over the decades, but because of their location, they’re prone to damage and deterioration from heat and byproducts.
One big problem with throat dampers is that the metal material they’re made of doesn’t provide a tight seal against the chimney flue. This gives air more opportunity to seep in or out, and if things get off-kilter, then you’ve really got a problem.
Throat dampers are also prone to rust, which can cause deterioration and keep the damper from smoothly opening or closing altogether. A damper that can’t be opened is pretty useless when building a fire, and if your damper won’t close, the temperature of your home will be affected.
In recent years, sweeps have been noting more flaws with throat dampers and wondering what can be done to address common damper problems – cue top-sealing dampers.
Top-end dampers tend to excel where throat dampers fall short.
They sit at the top of your flue and close tight with a rubber gasket, ensuring no gaps or openings are present to let air in or out. This means lower energy bills, no cold downdrafts, and no heat escaping your chimney when it’s not supposed to.
Additionally, top-sealing dampers can keep moisture and critters out of your flue, by providing a watertight seal.
Top-sealing dampers also avoid rust, which is why our solution-minded sweeps encourage anyone frustrated with their current throat damper to make the switch to top-sealing today. This is an investment that’ll be well worth every cent spent!
When it comes to energy savings, heightened efficiency, and better overall protection for your fireplace, there’s no doubt that top-end dampers outweigh throat dampers in every category. Consider making the switch, and start reaping the benefits today.
Reach Out to Our Trustworthy Crew for a Top-Sealing Damper Today
Whether you want your throat damper fixed, a top-sealing damper installed, or you’d just like to discuss your options a bit more, we’re here for you. Call 636-225-3340 or book your appointment today. We’re here to help.
If your chimney repair needs include repairing masonry joints (tuckpointing), you’re in good hands with our expert crew.