Chimney Damper Repairs

If you have a fireplace, you need a damper—and you need a damper in great working order to maximize the value and energy efficiency that a damper provides. If your fireplace doesn’t have a damper, you might as well throw wads of cash out of your chimney, as a chimney without a damper can eat up at least 25% of your home’s energy costs. Whether your chimney has a throat damper or a top-sealing damper, the damper’s job is to prevent heat and air conditioning—and your hard-earned money—from escaping when you’re not using your fireplace.

But energy savings aren’t the only reason you’ll want to keep your damper in good shape. Broken or damaged dampers can also make your fireplace and chimney unsafe. If, after years of soot build-up and water damage, a damper doesn’t open all the way, the flow of air into the chimney gets impeded. This allows creosote to flourish. Creosote is a highly-flammable residue that sticks to the walls of your chimney. It is no good for business. Well, it is actually good for our business … because we are experts at removing it from dampers and all other chimney parts.

What Is A Chimney Damper?

We’ve already told you that a damper will save you money because it closes your chimney flue when you’re not using it, keeping warm or cool air inside your house where it belongs, but you may still be wondering what a chimney damper is and where it’s located. The two most common types of dampers are throat dampers and top-sealing dampers. Found at the very top of the chimney, the top-sealing damper is a metal spring door designed to make your chimney as airtight as possible. Dampers also seal out down drafts, animals, and rain. The top-sealing damper is opened and closed with an extended metal chain that you can access from your fireplace. Meanwhile, throat dampers are situated in the “throat” of the chimney, right above your fireplace. The best damper models will provide you with major energy savings, while cheap or damaged chimney dampers won’t do much to move the needle on your electricity bill.

Why Your Drafty Chimney Needs A Damper

• You’ll begin saving on energy costs right away
• It will keep rain and snow out of your chimney
• It will keep pests like opossums, birds, and wasps out of your chimney
• It will prevent costly chimney and home repairs down the road
• It’s easy to use and comes with a lifetime warranty

It’s recommended that you have your chimney, damper included, inspected annually to keep your heating appliance running safely and efficiently. Ace Chimney Sweeps proudly offer lifetime warranties on our top-sealing damper installations. We are happy to install or repair your chimney’s damper. Schedule your appointment online, today!

Contact us today to learn more about chimney restoration services and masonry repair.