Chimney damper replacement for homes in Bayside
A damper should open fully, close squarely and move from the room. We work toward all three.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Damper symptoms you can check from the room
- Rattling above the fireplace on windy days
- Daylight visible past the closed plate
- Control rod slipping out of its notch
- Sooty smell drifting into the room
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What goes into careful damper work
Close the damper only after the fire is out
The damper should stay open until the fire is fully out and the firebox has cooled. Embers that still glow give off smoke and gases that need the open flue. Closing too early can leave them nowhere to go but the room.
A damper that is hard to close tempts people to shut it early, while the handle is still easy to reach. If your control only moves with effort, that is a reason to have it checked. After repair we show you where the fully open and closed positions are, so the handle tells you the truth.
Daylight past a closed plate
With the damper closed and a flashlight pointed up, you should see the plate lying against its frame. If you can see daylight past a closed plate, the gap is wider than it should be. The plate may have warped or dropped on its pivots.
Gaps let conditioned air out and outside air in. We check how the plate seats and whether the pivots or the plate are at fault. The estimate says whether adjusting, re-hanging or replacing the plate will close the gap.
Soot staining on the face above the opening
Dark staining on the face just above the opening is a record of smoke that did not go up the flue. A damper that was only partly open, or drifted closed during a fire, is a common reason.
Mention how old the marks are and whether they grew after a particular fire. We check the damper's travel along with the other causes of spill. Cleaning the face is a separate matter from fixing the cause. If the stains came from the damper, the repair should stop new ones from forming.
Check the damper with the fire out
The damper should be tried and checked with the fireplace cold. A hot damper can burn hands, and a fire under a damper that suddenly moves can spill smoke into the room.
That is how we inspect it, and it is how we suggest you check it too. Open and close it slowly, watch the plate with a flashlight and listen for grinding. If anything seems wrong, leave the damper alone and describe what you saw when you call. A clear description saves time on the visit.
Items on a damper repair estimate
- Throat measurement for a replacement damper
- Written record of the damper work
- Separate prices for any added items
- Nesting material cleared from the plate
Asked before damper work begins
Do you need to remove firebrick to replace a damper frame?
Sometimes. Setting a new frame can mean removing and resetting some masonry around the throat. If that is needed, it appears on the estimate before you approve, together with how the brick will be reset.
Why does the damper rattle when the wind picks up?
A loose plate, worn pivots or a slack control rod can let the plate move in air currents. We find which part is loose and tighten, adjust or replace it. Tell us whether it rattles with the plate open or closed.
Will you show me the damper part that failed?
Yes, if you would like to see it. We point out the worn pivot, broken lug or bent rod before replacing it. Old parts are then bagged and hauled away with the rest of the debris.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Gas Fireplace Repair and ServiceGet a model-specific gas fireplace service plan for the fault you are seeing or the maintenance your unit needs.
- Chimney Cap Installation and ReplacementProtect the chimney opening with a cap chosen for its fit, attachment and compatible system.
- Gas Fireplace VentingAssess and repair the gas fireplace vent arrangement using components suited to the identified system.
We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo