Fireplace Flue Damper Won T Close

The damper is a steel or cast iron door that opens and closes the throat of the firebox into the flue.

Fireplace flue damper won t close.

How to close the chimney flue. A cable running down the chimney to the firebox allows you to open and close the damper. 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. 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. 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. 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.

A throat damper which is the most common is located just above the firebox inside of the chimney flue. This duct within your chimney includes a damper that can be opened or closed by a lever or pull. Any damper that requires extra work to move is considered nonoperational and should be repaired. 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.

Top dampers fit more tightly than most throat dampers. The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time. A drafty room is a good indication that the damper isn t closing into the proper position. 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.

Traditionally there are two different types of fireplace dampers. After years of constant exposure to heat ashes and moisture many fireplace dampers will become stuck warped or inefficient. Often a damper becomes difficult to operate or sticks in one position. Finally if the damper is missing replace it with a top damper so called because it installs at the top of the chimney.