Damper replacement
A new damper goes in when the old one is beyond repair sized to the fireplace.
Chimney Parts
Chimney Damper Repair Clarendon Hills, IL
Damper problems in Clarendon Hills fireplaces, from a broken handle to a rusted plate, can usually be fixed or replaced or replace it with a top sealing damper that closes off the flue at the top. Dial (331) 301-3221 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. Many fireplaces have a throat damper mounted above the firebox, while others have a top sealing damper at the top of the chimney. Because it sits in heat, soot and moisture, it wears out over time.
A damper that is stuck closed is a safety issue, because smoke and carbon monoxide have nowhere to go but into the room. If it happens with a fire going, open windows, get people out of the smoky room and call 911 if anyone feels sick or smoke keeps building. Leave the damper open until the fire and embers are completely out.
A damper that will not close lets warm air out all winter and cooled air out all summer. Throat dampers also tend to seal poorly over time as the plate warps or rusts. A top sealing damper often solves both the seal and the rust problem.
Many chimney damper repair calls in Clarendon Hills also turn up a need for chimney cap installation or fireplace repair.
Need chimney damper repair in Clarendon Hills? Call (331) 301-3221 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The damper repair process
Here is how a sweep usually handles a damper problem.
Inspect the damper
The sweep looks at the plate, the frame, the handle and the linkage. Soot and debris around it are cleaned away first.
Clean the area
The damper frame and plate are cleaned so they can move freely. This alone fixes some stuck dampers.
Fix the linkage
Worn parts are swapped and the plate is adjusted to close properly. Parts for some older dampers are no longer made.
Replace if needed
When repair is not practical, a new damper goes in. The sweep explains the options before any replacement.
Test the operation
The damper is opened and closed several times to make sure it moves smoothly and seals. You will be shown how to use it properly.
What is included
What chimney damper repair covers
Cast iron damper repair
Throat dampers that stick or leak are repaired with worn parts replaced.
Top mount dampers
Top dampers close the chimney at the top, not the throat and often doubles as a cap.
Linkage repair
The connection between the control and the plate is repaired so the damper responds again.
Gas log damper clamps
A clamp or stop keeps the damper from fully closing where vented gas logs are used to prevent carbon monoxide from building up.
Related service
Chimney Damper Replacement Clarendon Hills, IL
Replacement makes sense when a damper can no longer open, close or seal properly. Throat dampers can be replaced with a new throat damper, but access is limited and fit can be tricky. Many homeowners choose a top sealing damper instead, since it mounts at the top and seals better.
If you are in Clarendon Hills, call (331) 301-3221 and describe what the damper does or does not do. 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 Clarendon Hills, IL
Top sealing dampers sit on the top of the flue and close with a tight rubber or silicone gasket. You work it with a handle in the firebox attached to a cable running up the chimney. Many include a built in cap and mesh.
The flue stays closed off from outside air when the fireplace is not in use. It also keeps rain from running down the flue. Check that it is fully open before every fire.
Local help
Chimney Damper Repair Near Me
In Clarendon Hills, an old throat damper that will not seal can let heated air escape all through the heating season. From Clarendon Hills out to neighboring towns like Westmont, Hinsdale, Willowbrook and Oak Brook, sweeps regularly find stuck dampers, broken handles and rusted plates, and a top sealing damper is a popular upgrade for older fireplaces.
Need chimney damper repair around Clarendon Hills? Call (331) 301-3221 for a Clarendon Hills chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Clarendon Hills
Winters here are cold and long, with lake effect snow in many towns and deep cold snaps that can last for days. Heating systems and wood stoves work nearly nonstop for months, so flues collect creosote fast and liners and crowns see a lot of heat and cold. Snow drifting against the back of a chimney melts slowly and works water under tired flashing. That is why Clarendon Hills chimney sweeps are busiest every September and October.
Why call
Why act early
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Clarendon Hills know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Damper Repair FAQ
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. Have it checked before using the fireplace again.
What is a top sealing damper?
It is a damper at the top of the chimney that seals the flue when closed. A cable connects it to a handle inside the fireplace. Many models also act as a cap.
Should the damper be open with gas logs?
Gas logs that are vented require an open damper, typically secured with a clamp. Closing the damper with gas logs running can fill the room with carbon monoxide. If you smell gas, leave the house without touching switches and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Why is my chimney damper stuck?
Rust, soot and creosote buildup are the most common reasons a damper sticks. Problems with the control mechanism are another common cause. A sweep can clean it, repair the parts or replace the damper.
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. Once the fireplace is cold, closing the damper keeps heated air from escaping.
More questions? Call (331) 301-3221
Often needed together
Chimney Cap Installation
Installing chimney caps with mesh sides to keep out rain, animals, leaves and stray sparks.
Learn moreFireplace Repair
Restoring masonry and factory-built fireplaces from the hearth and firebox to the damper and doors.
Learn moreSmoke Chamber Repair
Smoothing and sealing a rough or cracked smoke chamber in older masonry fireplaces that were never finished smooth.
Learn moreChimney Animal Removal
Getting wildlife and debris out of the flue, smoke shelf and damper, then capping the top so they cannot return.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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Call (331) 301-3221 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Clarendon Hills, IL.
(331) 301-3221
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