Knowledge Builders

how do you open a flue damper

by Dr. Sandy Howell V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Locate the flue lever before starting a fire. Some fireplaces have a lever while others will have pulley system consisting of two chains with rings on the end.
  • Determine the position of the flue damper.
  • Open the flue damper for a fire.
  • Close the flue damper when there is no fire.

You should turn the knob clockwise, as far as it can go, or push the rod all the way up to open the damper. If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed.

Full Answer

How to tell if a damper is open or closed?

How do you open the flue on a wood stove? Orient yourself with the damper handle on the outside of your flue pipe or the exterior of your stove. Some handles push in and pull out, others turn clockwise or counter-clockwise, and some slide from side to side. Determine which position is open and which closes the damper for your particular stove.

How to open a fireplace flue?

How do you open and close a flue? If there’s a lever, move it side to side or up and down to release it before sliding it horizontally. This motion will cause the damper to slowly lower in to the closed position, so the lever will remain loose. For pull chains, pull the longer one to extricate the damper and the shorter to close the flue.

How to close a flue?

Oct 25, 2021 · Reach out of the chimney using this pole and pull down the damper doors lever to open the chimney flue. There are also flue dampers made of stainless steel and cast iron, which you open by touching a specific button on the control system. Again, bear in mind that the flue partially closes in some dampers once the first wood volatiles burns off.

Which way opens the flue?

May 23, 2016 · Fluesbrothers Owner Jeremy Biswell shows you the step by step process to opening and closing your chimney's damper.

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How do you open a flue?

Use Controls

Some open the flue by rotating a knob in the anticlockwise or clockwise direction, while others require you to pull or push to open the flue. You can quickly tell whether you have an open or closed flue depending on the position of these controls.
Jan 13, 2021

How do I know if my flue damper is open?

Lean in under your chimney just outside of your wood burning stove. You should find a metal device just within the chimney or flue opening. The damper is open if you can see through the damper up to your chimney. If you only see a metal plate, the damper is in a closed position.Aug 5, 2020

How do you open a fireplace flue chain?

Part of a video titled Top damper chain control - YouTube
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0:31
And that right there with the chain up opens. The damper. So you can have a fire without without theMoreAnd that right there with the chain up opens. The damper. So you can have a fire without without the smoke coming back in because the damper is closed to close it we just pull it straight down.

How do you loosen a stuck damper?

Part of a video titled Fireplace Damper Repair Fix Rusted Stuck Frozen Mechanism Explained
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1:02
And it freezes with rust and then you can't move it. So often the only way to get it open is toMoreAnd it freezes with rust and then you can't move it. So often the only way to get it open is to drill the rivets. Out from the back end here. And then it might open up.

Is my damper open or closed?

A visual check is one of the surest ways of checking whether the damper is open or not. Simply stick your head in the fireplace and look up. If you have a throat damper, the closed damper immediately above your head will block your vision. You should be able to reach up and touch the closed damper.May 29, 2020

Should the damper be open all the way?

The damper should be kept open until all embers are finished burning to prevent smoke from escaping into the home. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper should always be closed. An open damper is like an open window, allowing large amounts of heat from the home to escape.

Should damper be open or closed in summer?

closed
Even if you have a chimney cap, it is a good idea to keep the damper closed in the summer. Chimney caps can become damaged creating a pathway for rainwater or pests to get into your chimney. Closing the damper will ensure that they can't get into your home through the fireplace.

Is it OK to leave the flue open?

The smoke from burning wood contains carbon monoxide, so in order to prevent this toxic byproduct from entering your home, it is important to leave the flue open overnight. This enables a draft to carry the compound out into the atmosphere, instead of sinking down the chimney and saturating the room.

Is a damper the same as a flue?

A fireplace flue and a fireplace damper are not the same thing. The flue is the opening or passageway that the smoke or other combustible gas from the fire exits the house. The damper is a mechanism that opens or closes access to the flue.Oct 8, 2020

How do you fix a broken fireplace damper?

How to Repair a Chimney Damper
  1. Remove Debris. Start by cleaning debris and creosote from the damper before removing it. ...
  2. Remove the Damper Plate. While looking upward from your firebox, you'll see a rod affixed to the chimney/frame by a nut. ...
  3. Clean Everything. ...
  4. Replace the Damper Plate.
Oct 14, 2020

How do you clean a fireplace damper?

Hold the damper over the newspapers and scrape it with a wire brush to remove the large chunks of soot. Fill a gallon bucket with 6 tbsp. of TSP cleaner, 1 cup of bleach and 1 gallon of warm water. Dip the scrub brush in the mixture and gently scrub the front and back of the damper to remove all the soot.Sep 26, 2017

What is a damper in a fireplace?

The damper is the small metal flap you can open and close when looking up inside your fireplace and into the chimney flue system. Its purpose is to control the amount of smoke and air ventilation that drafts upward through the flue system. You must open the damper every time you start a fire. Use the directions below to help with opening your ...

What is double pivot?

A double pivot is a lot like a poker damper, except instead of setting the handle on a separate ratchet on the frame, a ratchet with notches is already mounted to the handle AND the frame. You simply pivot the handle back and forth along the notches, allowing the handle to prop the damper open and close as you pull and set the handle into position.

Who is Clay Lamb?

Clay Lamb is a Cincinnati Chimney Sweep contractor and the executive producer of the YouTube channel, podcast, and blog Ask the Chimney Sweep. He is also an award-winning educator and public speaker in the chimney and fireplace industry.

How to tell if a damper is open?

Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don’t feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.

What happens if you open a damper on a fireplace?

After you’ve opened the damper, you should feel air coming down the chimney. If you don’t feel any air coming down the chimney or if you’ve opened the damper but your fireplace is still smoking, you should contact a chimney specialist. The damper could be warped or broken.

What is a damper in a fireplace?

We’ve got a few tips to help you find out if your damper needs to be opened and how to do it. The damper is a vent that controls airflow in and out of the chimney. When you aren’t using your fireplace, it should be closed to prevent heated and cooled air in your home from escaping.

What is a flue damper?

A fireplace flue damper enables you to control how much air flows up your home's chimney when the fireplace is in use. Adjusting the damper allows you to burn a fire efficiently and safely. It also prevents heat from escaping up the chimney when the fireplace is not in use.

Why do you close the damper on a fireplace?

Close Damper to Save Heat. The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. Close it when it's not it use. Operating the fireplace with the damper partially closed will not generate more heat. Instead, blocking the passage through the flue will result in smoke entering the home.

When should a fireplace damper be closed?

The damper should be kept open until all embers are finished burning to prevent smoke from escaping into the home. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper should always be closed. An open damper is like an open window, allowing large amounts of heat from the home to escape. Keeping a fireplace damper closed when it's not in use will result in ...

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1.Videos of How Do You Open a Flue Damper

Url:/videos/search?q=how+do+you+open+a+flue+damper&qpvt=how+do+you+open+a+flue+damper&FORM=VDRE

9 hours ago How do you open the flue on a wood stove? Orient yourself with the damper handle on the outside of your flue pipe or the exterior of your stove. Some handles push in and pull out, others turn clockwise or counter-clockwise, and some slide from side to side. Determine which position is open and which closes the damper for your particular stove.

2.How To Open and Close Your Damper - YouTube

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC7seAZT5is

24 hours ago How do you open and close a flue? If there’s a lever, move it side to side or up and down to release it before sliding it horizontally. This motion will cause the damper to slowly lower in to the closed position, so the lever will remain loose. For pull chains, pull the longer one to extricate the damper and the shorter to close the flue.

3.How to Open Your Fireplace Damper – (Poker, Rotary, …

Url:https://askthechimneysweep.com/2018/02/how-to-open-damper/

21 hours ago Oct 25, 2021 · Reach out of the chimney using this pole and pull down the damper doors lever to open the chimney flue. There are also flue dampers made of stainless steel and cast iron, which you open by touching a specific button on the control system. Again, bear in mind that the flue partially closes in some dampers once the first wood volatiles burns off.

4.How Do You Open a Fireplace Damper? - YouTube

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_3ZXKAktQ0

7 hours ago May 23, 2016 · Fluesbrothers Owner Jeremy Biswell shows you the step by step process to opening and closing your chimney's damper.

5.How To Open A Chimney Damper - Traditional Fireplace

Url:https://www.chimneyspecialistsinc.com/blog/open-chimney-damper/

12 hours ago Jan 27, 2012 · Opening a fireplace damper depends on the model of the fireplace, but generally there is a lever that slides back and forth to open and close it. Make sure the damper opens and closes completely...

6.Should a Fireplace Flue Damper Always Be Completely …

Url:https://homeguides.sfgate.com/should-fireplace-flue-damper-always-completely-open-93405.html

9 hours ago You should turn the knob clockwise, as far as it can go, or push the rod all the way up to open the damper. If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed. To open it, take the chain off the hook and let it go.

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