Damper repair for fireplaces in Durrs
You see the failed part, the proposed repair and the price before any tool goes into the throat.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What a failing throat damper looks like
- Rattling above the fireplace on windy days
- Sooty smell drifting into the room
- Damp debris resting on the smoke shelf
- Plate hanging crooked in its frame
Jump to
Damper work, from handle to plate
Pivot points and hinge wear
The plate turns on pins, lugs or a hinge at its edge. Those pivots carry the plate's weight each time it moves. Soot and moisture collect there, and rust builds up where two metal surfaces meet.
Worn pivots make a plate sag, rub or refuse to close squarely. Where the pins are sound, cleaning them and removing scale can restore free movement. Where a lug has broken off the plate, the plate or the whole assembly may need replacing. We show you which case applies by pointing to the pivot itself.
Re-hanging a plate that has dropped
A plate can come off its pivots and drop onto the smoke shelf or hang crooked in the frame. The fireplace then has no working closure, even though every part may still be present.
Where the plate and its pivot points are intact, re-hanging it in the frame may be all that is needed. We check that it sits true, opens fully and reconnects to the control. If a pivot lug has broken, re-hanging will not hold, and we explain the repair or replacement that will. We refit what can be refitted before suggesting new parts.
Planning the length of a damper job
A damper that only needs freeing or a new control is often a short visit. Replacing a frame set in masonry takes longer, and the mortar around it needs time before the fireplace is used again.
We give you a realistic plan with the estimate. If a part has to be ordered, we tell you when to expect it and arrange the visit around it. If the job has to run past one day, an open throat or flue is covered at the close of each work day. That keeps debris and rain out overnight.
If you plan a wood insert later
If you are thinking about a wood fireplace insert, tell us before approving damper work. An insert changes how the fireplace is used and vented, and its installation manual decides how the existing damper is handled.
In that case a full damper replacement may not be the best use of your money. We explain the choice so you can decide in order. If you want the open fireplace working now and an insert later, we plan the damper work with that in mind. Fireplace insert installation is a separate service with its own estimate.
Inside a damper replacement quote
- Pivot cleaning and freeing
- Plate re-hung on its pivots
- Written record of the damper work
- Workmanship warranty on completed damper work
Fireplace damper questions and answers
Is it normal for a fireplace damper to show some rust?
Yes. A damper sits where heat and moisture meet, so light surface rust is common. Deep scale, pitting or holes are not normal. They usually point to water reaching the plate from above.
Can I spray a lubricant on a damper that will not move?
We suggest leaving it alone. Many sprays are flammable and not made for the heat above a fire, and forcing the plate after spraying can crack the casting. Describe the fault to us and let us free it.
Should I close the damper while embers are still glowing?
No. Leave the damper open until the fire is out and the firebox has cooled. Glowing embers still give off smoke and gases, and those need the open flue to leave the house.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
- Chimney Flashing RepairRepair the chimney-to-roof connection with a scope that accounts for the adjoining roofing and masonry.
Proudly American
Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
Call Now (645) 465-4171We 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