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We can't find the handle for the fireplace damper at our old rental It was built in 1926. Do all fireplaces have dampers?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
No- very early or primitive fireplaces did not. Yours SHOULD have one- it may have been removed if there was a wood stove exhausted through the fireplace at some point. Time to get dirty- if you have not already done so, get a pair of safety goggles (you WILL get stuff in your face) a strong flashlight, clean out the fireplace, and lay back in the firebox so you can look up. The damper should sit in a steel frame, normally hinged to swing UP the chimney. If missing, contact a contractor the specializes in chimney service- one can be fitted for you, or a replacement damper provided.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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What is a fireplace flue damper, and how do you open one?
There are many kinds of dampers, depending upon how old the house is and the choice by the masons. Many dampers have a hinge on the rear and a handle that can be pushed or lifted to lift the front and latch it open. Others have a lever designed to move with a knob or chain connected to the damper. Some chimneys have counter-balanced dampers on the top of the chimney that are opened by pulling and latching a chain. A "tilt and slide" damper not only opens with a handle, but also has a movable grating that can be "slid" open and shut using a knob cast into it. If you have a gas log fireplace and can not close your damper by the handle it is very possible that the damper has been disabled or welded open according to the 1991 building code that states that dampers in new gas log fireplaces must be disabled. The only type of damper that is allowable to use in a gas log fireplace is an inflatable damper. If you do not have a gas log fireplace and you cannot open or close your damper it is likely that it has corroded to the point of non-function. The chimney is a very acidy and corrosive environment any metal in it will rust and degrade rapidly over time. Lubricate the damper with a penetrating oil and try to loosen it by hand or call a chimney sweep to come and work on it.
How do you open a damper?
For a fireplace, you should have a flashlight, and a pair of safety glasses (you WILL get soot in your face the first time). Kneel, lean over, shine the light up the chimney. You should see a rectangular metal plate- that is the damper. Usually has a handle that has notches on one side. Move the handle so that the notches are clear of the frame, and push up on the handle- damper should swing open. Hook the notches on the frame so that the damper STAYS open. Now use the flashlight to check for any foreign material (leaves, dead birds, animal nests) that may have been sitting there- they need to be removed before using the fireplace. A metal chimney cap will keep that stuff out. Now go wash your hands. And probably, your face.
What could cause a constant draft coming in your fireplace and how can you stop it?
Answer light a fire CHECK AND SEE IF AN ANIMAL OR BIRD HAS BUILT NEST WHICH IS KEEPING YOUR CHIMNEY'S FLUE OPEN. Answer You need to close the damper. look inside the flute 4 handle,and push or pull. Answer It could either be your Flue is stuck open slightly or you have a crack in the chimney...either way, If it were me, I would have someone come out and check it out after trying the Flue first. Answer Make sure the chimney a least 2 foot over the peak of the roof. If not you'll have to have a bricklayer raise it up. Answer I had a metal damper in my fireplace that bent and warped after being heated-cooled-and reheated time and again. My sweep suggested a new firebox and new damper (cost $600 installed). I didn't want to spend that much on a fireplace i use occasionally. I bought a Chimney Balloon, from a website out of Wisconsin, and put it in my fireplace just above the damper and it worked to stop that draft that was seeping in. Answer Our fireplace was really pretty, but the draft never stopped coming in. We bought glass doors, which kept it looking nice. We paid $300, but there are decent ones out there for less.
What is a damper in ac terminology?
A damper is usually a piece of metal that is installed in a duct to allow the airflow to be restricted. This lets the user open or close the restriction to adjust the amount of air getting through. There is often a metal tab handle outside the duct to rotate the damper inside the duct. The handle is parallel to the restriction plate, so the least resistance is when the handle is parallel to the duct itself. To restrict the airflow, turn the handle so that it is up to 90 degrees off from the direction of the duct.
How do you open a screw type damper?
To open the handle must pull it towards you. The handle has pivot points allowing the door to open in steps.
Does rotating a gas valve on an indoor fireplace counterclockwise open or close the gas line?
All gas fireplaces have to have a shut-off valve within 10' and that will turn so the key or the handle is parallel to leave gas on and perpendicular to turn gas off. The valve inside the fireplace turns but not indiscriminately. The inner valve will turn to the pilot setting and depress to light the pilot. Once the pilot os stable the knob will un-depress and turn to the On position. For a manual valve this will turn on the gas flow to the main burners. If using a switch or remote turning the valve to On leaves the fireplace valve in a Ready position so the switch or remote will turn on the gas.
Do you close an indoor fireplace flue by moving the handle lefft?
Probably, but you'll need to get a flashlight and look up the chimney to be positive.
How do you know which way is open and closed for a chimney flue?
if you are talking a stove flue [free standing] the handle on the flue will indicate open or closed. if handle is horizontal flue is closed. if vertical flue is open. if you mean fireplace flue usually pushing flue handle to rear or back of fireplace will open it and pulling it toward you will close it. you can check by moving handle slowly while looking with flashlight up in the chimney. be careful as soot can come down and out if you get too aggresive.
When you burn wood in your fireplace why does the smoke come in the house?
When you burn wood in your fireplace, smoke might enter your house due to several reasons: The damper isn’t open: The damper controls the flow of air and smoke through the chimney. If it’s closed, smoke can’t escape and will come back into the house. Burning the wrong type of wood: Some types of wood produce more smoke than others. Also, wet or unseasoned wood can cause excessive smoke. The fireplace has not been used in a while: If a fireplace hasn’t been used for a long time, there could be blockages in the chimney that prevent smoke from escaping. Fire is too big: A fire that’s too large can produce more smoke than the chimney can handle, causing some of it to spill back into the room. Flue blockage: Birds’ nests, leaves, or other debris can block the flue, preventing smoke from exiting. Cracked chimney or gaps in your chimney flue: These can allow smoke to leak into your home. Backdraft problem due to multiple flues: If you have multiple fireplaces and they share a chimney, using one fireplace could cause a backdraft in another, bringing smoke into the house. Your house is too airtight: Modern homes are often very well insulated and airtight, which can prevent the necessary airflow for the smoke to draw up the chimney. It’s important to identify and address these issues to ensure the smoke properly vents outside and doesn’t enter your living space. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult with a professional.
The damper on the duct works needs to be pointed which way?
Additional details: the damper on the duct next to furnace is marked summer winter. I read the handle should be parallel to the duct in the summer indicating it is open. this duct is not straight but slightly curves. the summer marking is pointed down to the right. is this correct. I have a picture if someone tells me how to post
What are some common fireplace accessories?
Beyond the obvious wood, if one would consider this an accessory, in order to handle the wood shovels, pokers, and brooms are often purchased. Fireplace screens protect from large embers, ash buckets and bins allow for quick clean up as well.
Your chimney allows cold air into the house. How do you close it off?
shine a light up the chimney and you should see a metal plate or door with a handle on one end that can be adjusted to be vertical (or open-allowing you to see completely up the chimney or adjusted so that it is completely flat and completely blocking the opening (closed) common sense here. It's simply a door,. opening or closing the flue which is always in the open position when having a fire in the fireplace and is always in the closedpositioned when the fire is completely out and never closed unless the fire is absolutely and positively out!!! For a fireplace to not have a damper (door) would be practically unheard of these days, but, if you check and there is none simply buy a cover or make one yourself and use it only when no fire is present
