If can see the sky, the flue damper is open. Open the damper up more fully the next time you use the fireplace to get bigger flames. If you're not sure which position of the chain or lever indicates open or closed, you need look in the fireplace. If you’re new to using a damper, experiment with different open positions until you find something to your liking. It can be opened or closed manually to control the amount of air that is allowed to pass through. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you’re not sure if your fireplace is safe to use, it’s probably time for an inspection. The damper consists of metal flaps that allow smoke to feed out of the fire and chimney to the outside. The amount of air a fire has to breathe has a large impact on how large it can grow and how long it lasts. When to Close Fireplace Damper. This kind damper, Poker dampers, we commonly refer to as a banana handles.This is because of the banana shape arch in the handle. The fireplace damper should always be in the open position whenever you have a fire in the fireplace. You can find your fireplace damper at the base of the chimney.  Know that there are three main types of damper styles: Traditional dampers are located at the “throat” of the chimney, which is positioned inside the chimney’s base.  It’s reachable, but hidden, so the damper is easily accessible yet tucked out of sight for aesthetic purposes. It can also save you from air pollution arising from smoke and other gases – unless you want to install a kitchen exhaust fan. If you have a top-mount damper, pull down on the chain to see if you can close the damper. Dec 20- It's likely used for fireplace damper operation. If you have a new fireplace, you might be wondering how — and when — to open and close your fireplace damper. Lighting a fire in your fireplace won't damage your damper, regardless of whether it's open or closed. Even though it may sound obvious, it needs to be said that dampers should only be adjusted when there is no fire in the fireplace. Proper maintenance begins with good old fashioned hygiene. Most woodburning fireplaces built after the 1950’s have what’s called a fireplace damper. Wait, don’t light your fireplace just yet.  In order to be a responsible fireplace owner, the first task you must do before enjoying a fire is checking to see if the fireplace damper is open or closed. Opening a fireplace damper depends on the model of the fireplace, but generally there is a lever that slides back and forth to open and close it. Believe it or not some homeowners wake up to find animals in their home that have crawled in through an open flue or damper. Often, a damper becomes difficult to operate or sticks in one position. May 25, 2019 - Explore Julia Tabb's board "Fireplace damper" on Pinterest. How to use the fireplace damper … Only 9 left in stock - order soon. Free Shipping on $99 Or More Shop for Face Masks and other Personal Protective Equipment at Discount Safety Gear.com To be up to code, all fireplaces must have a damper. It also seals the fireplace so no debris from the outside can make its way in. See more ideas about fireplace damper, fireplace, fireplace design. Last, there is little heat reflecting from the fireplace masonry into the room. The damper is a steel or cast-iron door that opens and closes the throat of the firebox into the flue. Brick Wall Waterproofing / Silicone Sealants, The Best Flashing Sealant. Here are some friendly tips on how to use a fireplace damper so you can get the most out of your fireplace. Standard built-in fireplaces sometimes require use of a long metal pole with a hooked end that you use to reach into the chimney and manually pull down the lever of the damper doors to open the flue. I would recommend you get a 36×15 Chimney Balloon and install it right in the firebox below the damper. Never start a fire before checking to see if the damper is open or closed.  There are many ways to check to see if the damper is open or closed and after getting into the habit, it should become quite obvious.  Put your safety first by taking a few moments to see the position of the damper before starting a fire because your life could depend on it. Chicago Brick Company specializes in providing exceptional Masonry Services to commercial and residential customers throughout Chicago. If it's dark out or you're not sure, you can reach your hand up to feel for the flue. A damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a duct, chimney, VAV box, air handler, or other air-handling equipment.A damper may be used to cut off central air conditioning (heating or cooling) to an unused room, or to regulate it for room-by-room temperature and climate control.Its operation can be manual or automatic. If the damper is closed, the fire will draw on air inside the home and billow out smoke into your living room or wherever the fireplace is located. A traditional fireplace damper will usually be positioned just inside the base of the chimney (called the ‘throat’ of the chimney), at the top of the fireplace. 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. When a fire isn’t running, the damper can be closed to keep cold air from breezing into the house. That is, unless the fireplace you’re operating has a mechanical way to operate the damper while the fireplace is in use. First and foremost, you should learn why you should always check to see if your fireplace damper is open or closed.  Why?  Well, an open damper will allow the smoke from the fire along with other harmful combustion byproducts to escape through the chimney and be channeled safely to the outside.  An open damper also invites outside air that assists in keeping the fire alive. Starve a fire of air and it has no chance of keeping lit. It’s an easy way of figuring out which direction closes and opens the damper if the knob has no index markings. The reason for this is that if the damper is closed and there is a gas leak, then the gas may not be able to travel up the flue and end up spreading into the room where the fireplaces is. If the fire is too aggressive with the damper fully open, then you can adjust it smaller for the next time around. The device is typically marked to indicate proper positioning. $9.25 $ 9. Put your head in and look up. Knowing how to use a fireplace damper properly can save money on … Having a damper is a great option for fireplaces. Standard handles will open the damper when they’re turned away from you, so if you cannot turn the handle any further, then the damper may be open.  Pulling the handle towards you will close the damper. Animals like birds, racoons, or rodents who like to nest in chimneys also have no way of getting into the house when it is closed. It’s a critical component of modern fireplace builds that can help homeowners save on energy costs and better control the indoor climate. A functional damper opens and closes easily just by using the handle or lever; any damper that requires extra work to move is considered nonoperational and should be repaired. However, most throat dampers allow some heat to go up the chimney. If you have a pilot light constantly burning under your gas logs, shutting the damper puts you, your family and your pets at severe risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s also a sign that the fireplace damper has not be opened to adequately prepare the fireplace for a fire. Before you start your chimney, you’ll want to get it inspected. Home / Blog / How to Use a Fireplace Damper The Right Way. Find out more about our repair process here. Woodeze 30" Vestal Cast-Iron Fireplace Damper. Option 2: If you will use this gas log fireplace regularly and you are looking for the easiest place to install a Chimney Balloon to take it in and out. Required fields are marked *. Hanging Solid Brass Fireplace Damper Open Closed Sign. Doing so will keep some of the warm air from your heating system from escaping up the chimney. One of the most pervasive causes of a stuck damper is rust, often caused when rainwater enters the chimney through a faulty or […] Misuse of a fireplace damper can result in higher energy costs, and at worst the erosion of quality in your fireplace or chimney. But don’t be mistaken, that’s not an invitation for you to take your time opening the fireplace damper back up once the room is flooded with smoke.  Don’t put your health at risk by not checking the damper’s position before you start the fire or by not dealing with the closed damper quickly if smoke begins to billow into the home. There is a simple solution: Rotate it all the way in one direction and stick your head in the fireplace to check the damper position. Too much smoke inside the house can damage the interior and pose a health hazard to those inside. Know that there are three main types of damper styles: Fireplace throat dampers; Flue dampers; Chimney cap dampers; Traditional dampers are located at the “throat” of the chimney, which is positioned inside the chimney’s base. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Knowing how to tell if the flue is open in your wood stove or fireplace can help retain the heat needed in your home. The damper was frozen shut. Having the damper closed will help keep the house secure and warm when you’re not in the mood for a fire. Damper 22 is generally comprised of flat plate 24, handle 26 and guide tracks 28 each having first portions 30 and second portions 32. Your email address will not be published. When a fire isn’t running, the damper can be closed to keep cold air from breezing into the house. If your damper is closed while the fire is burning, then you could run into some serious trouble.  Not only will the fire struggle because it’s not getting the outside air as its oxygen to fuel it, but your home will begin to fill with the toxic byproducts like carbon monoxide, a gas that can be fatal to humans and animals. You turn the handle to a vertical position to open the flue damper and back to a horizontal position to close it. Fire feeds on air, and it can influence the life of a fire just much as adding more firewood or Firestarter can. 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. Not quite! You’ll be able to control the size and amount of heat your fire puts off. Golden Trout Products Damper Clamp (Damper Stop Clamp) for Fireplace Flue. And What You Need to Know About it. Make sure to read any relevant instructions on the proper operation of your damper before you light your first fire. As mentioned, the amount of air a fire has access to will affect its intensity. Before starting a fire, if possible, wave a small flame under the flue to warm it up. Whatever we find, we can fix. Your chimney should go though proper inspection to ensure that it’s safe to use. Fireplace 10 includes a damper construction, denoted generally by reference numeral 22, for selectively covering and uncovering flue opening 20. Here’s what you can expect a … A fireplace damper is a small door inside a fireplace, usually near the base of the chimney. When the flue is cold, it won’t conduct the smoke up and out of the home, causing it to flow back into the room. $7.99 $ 7. Use the damper to its potential. We want to help you get a handle on your damper, one of the most misunderstood features of your fireplace, but so vital. The damper is often a small metal flap located inside the fireplace flue. Never close the damper or leave the fireplace unattended while there is a fire in the fireplace. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Experts with the use of fireplaces become adept at using their dampers to make their fires great. Another tip on effective use of a fireplace damper involves the end stages of a fire. No markings to indicate which is the open position. When you aren’t using your fireplace, it prevents drafts and keeps heated/cooled air inside your house from escaping up the chimney. This is not only a fire hazard, it can also cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Are you unsure as to whether the damper is open or closed?  Stick your hand near the opening of the fireplace.  If you feel air breeze against your hand, then it’s safe to say that the damper is open.  If there’s a clear absence of a draft, then it’s closed. Investigating Your Fireplace Damper. From evaluating chimney flue liners to inspecting hidden areas, your chimney will be properly inspected so you won’t miss any maintenance requirements. You may need to open the damper again as the fire burns down and the upward draft slows. The best way to tell if a fireplace damper is open is to take a flashlight and actually look up the chimney from within the fireplace. With smoke and other debris out of your damper before you start your chimney, it means that the unattended... Problems, which you can reach your hand up to feel for the flue to heat up unattended while is... 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