Top sealing dampers
A damper mounted at the top of the chimney seals the flue with a gasket for a much tighter seal.
Chimney Parts
Chimney Damper Repair Abington, PA
A chimney sweep in Abington can repair a damper that is stuck, rusted, warped or no longer seals by freeing the plate, fixing the linkage or installing a new damper. Dial (267) 715-3132 to talk with a local chimney pro about your damper.
The damper is the movable plate that opens the flue when a fire is burning and closes it when the fireplace is not in use. The most common type is a throat damper, a cast iron or steel plate that sits right above the firebox and opens with a handle or chain. Years of heat and moisture are hard on any damper.
A damper that is stuck closed is a safety issue, because smoke and carbon monoxide have nowhere to go but into the room. If you light a fire and smoke pours in, open windows, keep people away from the smoke and let the fire burn down, calling 911 if smoke is heavy or anyone feels unwell. Never close a damper on a fire or warm embers, since that pushes carbon monoxide into the home.
An open or leaky damper lets heated air escape and cold air come down the chimney. Even when they close, many old throat dampers leave gaps along the edges. A top sealing damper often solves both the seal and the rust problem.
Many chimney damper repair calls in Abington also turn up a need for chimney cap installation or fireplace repair.
Looking for Abington chimney damper repair? Call (267) 715-3132 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Abington.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a damper repair
Dampers fail for a few different reasons, so the fix depends on what is wrong.
Look at the plate
The sweep looks at the plate, the frame, the handle and the linkage. Rust and buildup are checked too.
Clean the area
Soot, creosote and rust are cleaned from the damper and frame. This alone fixes some stuck dampers.
Fix the linkage
The linkage between the handle and plate is fixed so it moves again. A warped plate may not be fixable.
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.
Final check
The sweep tests the damper and checks the draft. You will be shown how to use it properly.
What is included
What chimney damper repair covers
New dampers
Rusted out or warped dampers are swapped for new ones matched to the flue.
Cast iron damper repair
Throat dampers that stick or leak are repaired where the plate is still sound.
Damper stops
A clamp or stop keeps the damper from fully closing where vented gas logs are used so gases can always escape.
Handle repair
Loose or broken controls are replaced so you can open the flue easily.
Related service
Chimney Damper Replacement Abington, 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. A top sealing damper often makes more sense than a new throat damper.
When you call (267) 715-3132 from Abington, 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. The sweep will explain the options and what fits your fireplace.
Related service
Top Sealing Damper Abington, PA
Mounted on top of the flue, a top sealing damper seals the chimney at the crown instead of at the throat. It is opened and closed with a stainless cable that runs down the flue to a handle in the firebox. Many models also act as a chimney cap, keeping out rain and animals.
Because it closes at the top, it keeps cold air out of the whole flue, which can help the fireplace feel less drafty. It helps block rain and animals as well. Always make sure it is open before lighting a fire.
Local help
Chimney Damper Repair Near Me
In Abington, an old throat damper that will not seal can let heated air escape all through the heating season. Homes in Abington and nearby towns such as Roslyn, Willow Grove, Jenkintown and Glenside often have dampers that have rusted or warped after decades of use, and a top sealing damper is a popular upgrade for older fireplaces.
Searching for chimney damper repair near me from Abington or Roslyn, Willow Grove, Jenkintown and Glenside? Call (267) 715-3132 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Abington
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. That is why chimney cleaning in Abington is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why not wait
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Abington know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Damper Repair FAQ
When should I close the fireplace damper?
The damper should stay open until there are no embers left, often many hours after the fire dies down. Embers still give off carbon monoxide, so closing early is risky. When not in use, a closed damper keeps drafts out.
Can I close the damper when using 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.
Why is my chimney damper stuck?
Stuck dampers usually come from rust, heavy soot or a warped plate. Problems with the control mechanism are another common cause. The fix depends on what is causing the stick.
How does a top sealing damper work?
It is a damper at the top of the chimney that seals the flue when closed. You open and close it with a handle attached to a cable. 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. Get it repaired before the next fire.
More questions? Call (267) 715-3132
Related services
Chimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney sized to the flue tile or the whole crown.
Learn moreFireplace Repair
Fixing fireplaces that smoke, leak heat or show cracked masonry with the right materials for each part.
Learn moreSmoke Chamber Repair
Repairing the sloped masonry above the damper where smoke funnels into the flue before heat can escape toward nearby framing.
Learn moreChimney Animal Removal
Removing birds, raccoons, squirrels and nests from fireplace and stove chimneys, then capping the top so they cannot return.
Learn more
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