Gas log damper clamps
Vented gas log fireplaces need a damper stop so gases can always escape.
Chimney Parts
Chimney Damper Repair Folsom, PA
Damper problems in Folsom fireplaces, from a broken handle to a rusted plate, can usually be fixed or replaced by freeing the plate, fixing the linkage or installing a new damper. Call (484) 470-7034 to reach a local chimney sweep.
Your damper is the plate or door that controls whether the flue is open or closed. Many fireplaces have a throat damper mounted above the firebox, while others have a top sealing damper at the top of the chimney. Years of heat and moisture are hard on any damper.
A stuck shut damper means smoke and gases spill into the room instead of rising up the flue. With a fire already burning and the damper stuck closed, ventilate the room, keep everyone clear and call 911 if smoke gets heavy or someone feels ill. A damper should stay open until the ashes are cold.
A damper that is stuck open or does not seal is less dangerous but costly in comfort. Even when they close, many old throat dampers leave gaps along the edges. That is why many homeowners replace a failed throat damper with a top sealing damper.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Folsom chimney sweep may also recommend chimney cap installation or fireplace repair.
Dealing with this in Folsom, PA right now? Call (484) 470-7034 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Folsom.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a damper repair
Here is how a sweep usually handles a damper problem.
Inspect the damper
The technician checks how the damper moves and how well it closes. The smoke shelf and smoke chamber get a look as well.
Clear the frame
The damper frame and plate are cleaned so they can move freely. This alone fixes some stuck dampers.
Fix the linkage
The linkage between the handle and plate is fixed so it moves again. Some repairs depend on parts being available.
Upgrade the damper
If the throat damper has failed, a top sealing damper is a common replacement. The choice depends on the fireplace and the chimney.
Check the seal
The damper is opened and closed several times to make sure it moves smoothly and seals. Ask how to work it if it is a new style.
What is included
Common damper repairs
Linkage repair
The connection between the control and the plate is repaired so you can open the flue easily.
Cast iron damper repair
The plate and frame above the firebox are freed and realigned so they open and close again.
Top sealing dampers
Top dampers close the chimney at the top, not the throat and often doubles as a cap.
New dampers
Rusted out or warped dampers are swapped for new ones with the right control for your fireplace.
Related service
Chimney Damper Replacement Folsom, PA
Replacement makes sense when a damper can no longer open, close or seal properly. Replacing a throat damper in place can be difficult, depending on how the fireplace was built. For many fireplaces, a top sealing damper is the easier and tighter fit.
When you call (484) 470-7034 from Folsom, mention whether the damper is stuck, rusted or just drafty. If the fireplace has gas logs, say so, since the damper must stay open with vented logs. Ask about the pros and cons of each type.
Related service
Top Sealing Damper Folsom, PA
Mounted on top of the flue, a top sealing damper seals the chimney at the crown instead of at the throat. A cable down the flue connects it to a handle mounted inside the fireplace. Some designs combine the damper with a cap and screen.
Sealing the top stops cold air from filling the chimney, which keeps the fireplace area warmer. It helps block rain and animals as well. In very cold weather, the gasket should be checked to make sure it has not frozen to the frame before a fire is lit.
Local help
Chimney Damper Repair Near Me
Around Folsom, many older fireplaces still have their original cast iron dampers. From Folsom out to neighboring towns like Ridley Park, Prospect Park, Swarthmore and Morton, sweeps regularly find stuck dampers, broken handles and rusted plates, which is why the damper is worth checking every time the chimney is swept.
Need chimney damper repair around Folsom? Call (484) 470-7034 for a Folsom chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Folsom
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. Most homeowners in Folsom, PA schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Local knowledge
Chimney sweeps in Folsom know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Damper Repair questions
Should the damper be open with gas logs?
Vented gas logs need the damper fixed open, usually with a damper clamp, because they produce combustion gases that must escape. Never close the damper while gas logs are burning. Keep CO alarms in the home and follow the manufacturer instructions for the logs.
How does a top sealing damper work?
A top sealing damper is mounted at the top of the chimney and closes the flue with a gasket. It is operated by a cable that runs down to a handle in the firebox. Many models also act as a cap.
Is it safe to light a fire with a broken damper?
That comes down to how it is broken: a damper stuck shut makes the fireplace unsafe, while one stuck open mainly wastes heat. One that is stuck open is mostly an energy and comfort problem. It is best to have it fixed first.
Why is my chimney damper stuck?
Stuck dampers usually come from rust, heavy soot or a warped plate. A broken handle, a slipped chain or a warped plate can also keep it from moving. Cleaning or repair often frees it.
When should I close the fireplace damper?
Close the damper only after the fire and embers are completely out and the ashes are cold. Embers still give off carbon monoxide, so closing early is risky. Closing it when the fireplace is not in use saves energy.
More questions? Call (484) 470-7034
Other services that may help
Chimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney to keep out rain, animals, leaves and stray sparks.
Learn moreFireplace Repair
Fixing fireplaces that smoke, leak heat or show cracked masonry so they burn cleanly and safely again.
Learn moreSmoke Chamber Repair
Smoothing and sealing a rough or cracked smoke chamber so smoke moves up cleanly and creosote has fewer places to collect.
Learn moreChimney Animal Removal
Removing birds, raccoons, squirrels and nests from chimneys and flues, with the timing and method matched to the animal.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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