You can also listen for the rush of air to see if the damper is open or closed. In the summer, an open fireplace damper is like an open door. Even if your fireplace isn’t on fire, it’s still designed to keep the cold from coming down the chimney. This can warp and damage the fireplace damper, thus needing replacement. Because gas-log fires produce copious amounts of carbon monoxide, they have to vent outside in a fail-safe manner. The Unica-2 series of Bellfires has an open combustion system. Thankfully, the damper is stuck in the open position so I can still enjoy a good fire. My suggestion is to always ask for pictures both before and after the job. Our Mission at Stine is to help customers, associates, and families build their dreams. The damper seems to match the traditional lever-operated type. Shop now for the best selection or call now 800.919.1904! Also contact a couple of chimney Sweeps in your area. Then go online and start gathering your information. Any ashes in the firebox should be removed and thrown away. A chain with a handle at the end runs down the flue and is accessible from inside your home. The method of opening and closing the flue depends on the type of fireplace and how it was constructed and installed in the room. I would be surprised if you don’t find what you need there. Also be sure and go online and read their customer reviews from Google, BBB and AngiesList. There is a spring that keeps the top-mount damper open, and the controlling cable or handle is usually attached to the fireplace wall. This is primarily because they don’t incorporate a “back wall ” that is designed, to function to direct and to curl the smoke up the chimney, while at the same time reflect the heat from the fire back into your living space. I feel that for a see through fireplace to function consistently, it needs to incorporate a gas log starter. If you can see up into the flue, the damper is open. Starting with the top of your chimney, I wouldn’t hesitant to put another form of pipe up there if its for testing purposes only then a more permeant fix can be addressed later. The firebox has another source of air to continue combustion. A wood-burning stove (or wood burner or log burner in the UK) is a heating appliance capable of burning wood fuel and wood-derived biomass fuel, such as sawdust bricks. Anne, personally I would have to discover why that damper is stuck. You know the flue is open if you can see the sky or have a throat dumper. We have repaired the leak and the masonry, but the throat damper was not fit for use and removed. When using in a fireplace, please start the fire with only two logs, and you can add one additional log (one log at a time) when the fire dies down to stoke or extend the fire. The damper worked fine prior to this issue. Our new house in Lexington, KY was built in the 1930’s with two fireplaces, one in the basement and the other directly above it on the main floor. Inefficient Fireplace Increases Your Summer Cooling Costs. Another benefit of using a top sealing damper as it actually has a payback (ROI), as it will save you energy dollars. How does the hand-held transmitter operate the functions of the fireplace? My condo building (over 30 years old) is brick, the fireplace both inside and outside is also brick and when I had someone clean it they said it was a masonry fireplace, So, does this change your answer? Installing a top sealing damper actually allows for the preheating of the entire chimney flue stem with warm house air, often making it much easier to start a (wood) burning fire, while at the same time sealing the cold air out, while not in use. However, during the winter, my heat just rolls right up the chimney. Close the flue - they can climb back up. My damper is damaged because it sticks badly. Don’t ever be afraid to look up Google, BBB, and other reviews. If the flue is open, the smoke will go out of the chimney without any problem. The open and close rod on my damper has snapped. Learn how to fix your crown yourself. Learn how your comment data is processed. As it is, the flue temperature effectively provides a measurement of ambient temperature in our garage during this (hot) period. Puy your zip code in it and a number of sweeps will appear. Our DIY eBook solution is here. When you are using the fireplace, you can operate the damper using a lever to open or close it. It appears that where the damper fell off, it exposes part of the internal pre-fab lining. Below is a link for a sweeps finder as well videos of replacing a prefab factory-built fireplace which is not a minor task. Do not close a fireplace damper until the fire is completely out. All solid fuel heaters require their own chimney flue. All of these manufacturers’ have been very popular over the years and may still be available at your local brickyard. We recommend putting the ashes into a metal can. Then I would be checking to see if there is a replacement damper blade available from the manufacturer. There are two basic ways to open and close a throat damper. Is Your House Too Hot How About Closing The Chimney . You can’t do this, what is the worst thing that can happen, that you have to call a local Chimney Sweep to come bail you out, but what a brag tag that “you repaired you own fireplace damper”! And then I would have to I get a piece of sheet metal to cover the front of it prevent from downdrafts and any possible animal entry, speaking of that I recommend keeping a cap installed at the top. Can I shut the pilot off in the summer? Please allow me to re-edit my reply. Check out this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO21VpOZ26Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HARJ7d5Uc_k&t=52s, Your email address will not be published. Keep combustible materials like carpets, drapes and furniture away from the fireplace when a fire is burning. Clay * To find a reputable Chimney Sweep in your area, use this link to the National Chimney Sweep Guild locator:http://www.ncsg.org/ Also be sure to go online and read all of their customer reviews from Google, BBB and AngiesListClay Lamb author of: http://www.AsktheChimneySweep.com – Youtube Educational Videos http://www.FireplaceandChimneySupply.com – Professional grade Chimney products http://www.HomeContractorsHQ.com – Contractor Coaching Podcast http://www.AmChimney.com – GM @ American Chimney Sweep Cincinnati, OH.