Are top sealing dampers good?
Top-sealing dampers also keep outside materials and moisture from finding their way into your chimney and fireplace. Chimney caps are effective in keeping rain, snow, and small animals from entering the chimney. Still, a top-sealing damper remains the most effective means with which to keep external air out.
What is a top sealing chimney damper?
Top Sealing Chimney Dampers are used to seal your chimney flue from the outside. The beauty of the Top Mount Chimney Damper is how much more efficient it is compared to the traditional style throat damper. Top Mount Dampers prevent heated air loss through the chimney or down drafts when the chimney is not in use.
How do you close a top sealing damper?
Close the damper after the fire is completely out. Pull the handle down until the lug is below bracket. Move cable into either notch in bracket and release handle. Energy-saving note: Closing the damper when fireplace is not in use will prevent heated or air-conditioned air from escaping out the chimney.
How do you seal a fireplace insert?
Adhesive Strips Available at many hardware and home improvement stores, small rolls of fiberglass-based stripping can be cut to size and applied in noticeable gaps between an insert and the masonry on the outside face of a fireplace, underneath the insert.
What is the difference between a flue and a damper?
The flue is simply the open middle of the chimney that the smoke goes up. A damper is intended to shut off- either fully or partially- the chimney flue. The reason you’d want to do that is to keep heat ($$$) from escaping up the chimney.
Is the damper open or closed?
The damper is a piece of metal that can be angled by using the knob or chain used to control it to the open or closed position. If it’s too dark to properly see, then use a flashlight. If you can see up through the damper and past to your chimney’s interior, then the damper is open.
How much does a top sealing damper cost?
How Much does it Cost to Replace the Fireplace Chimney Damper?
| Low Estimate $10 – $80 | High Estimate $135 – $450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Damper Type | Throat or Top | Top Damper |
| Throat Damper Size | 24″ – 30″ | 24″ – 60″ |
| Damper Cost | $30 – $50 | $30 – $200 |
| Repair or Replace? | Clean and Repair | Replace |
How does a top-sealing damper work?
With a top-sealing damper in place, air can’t easily escape through your chimney flue when your fireplace isn’t in use. A stainless steel cable attaches the damper to a lever within the firebox that is used to open and close the damper, similar to the operation of a traditional throat damper.