Chimney damper replacement for homes in Kendall
Stuck shut, stuck open or dropping during a fire, a throat damper fault usually has a cause we can find.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Signs of a worn damper in Kendall fireplaces
- Plate stays open and will not close
- Grinding or squealing when the control moves
- Cooled air drifting up the flue
- No damper visible above the opening
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Damper service for fireplaces in Kendall
Rust that has eaten through the plate
Surface rust is common on a damper and is not a fault by itself. Rust that has thinned the plate to holes is different. A perforated plate cannot close off the flue, and its edges may break away when it is moved.
Water coming down the flue is the usual cause, so the damper is often a symptom of a problem higher up. We note the source when it is visible. The top of the chimney is a separate item on the estimate, because a new plate under an open flue would rust in the same way.
Poker controls and notched rods
A poker control is a rod or handle that hangs down at the front of the throat and hooks into notches. Pushing it moves the plate, and the notch holds the position. It is a simple design, but the notches and the hook wear with use.
If the rod slips out of its notch or will not hold a setting, tell us how it behaves. We check the rod, the notched bracket and the hook where it meets the plate. A replacement rod can often be fitted to the existing plate, which keeps the job inside the fireplace opening.
Checking the damper well before you light a fire
Many fireplaces sit idle for long stretches and then get used only now and then. The damper may not have moved since the last fire. The days before you plan a fire are the moment to find out whether it still works.
Try the control with the fireplace cold, well ahead of the evening you have in mind. The plate should move smoothly and hold its position. If it sticks, drops or makes a grinding sound, leave it and arrange a look. Finding the fault early leaves time for any part that has to be ordered.
What happens to the old damper parts
When we replace a plate, control or frame, the old parts are removed from the fireplace. You can see them before they go, if you want to understand what failed and why.
Old parts, rust scale and debris are bagged and hauled away when the job is finished. Nothing is left in the firebox or on the smoke shelf. If a part is reusable and you want to keep it, tell us before the work begins, and we set it aside instead of disposing of it.
What we check on the throat damper
- Plate travel from open to closed
- Replacement control matched to the plate
- Old parts bagged and hauled away
- Mortar drying and curing instructions
Before you approve damper work
Will a new throat damper stop all air from escaping?
A throat damper is not airtight. A cast plate closes metal against metal and leaves small paths for air. A good repair closes the plate squarely, without wide gaps or rattle, which limits the loss.
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.
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.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Sweep and Chimney CleaningArrange careful chimney cleaning in Miami with a defined scope, protected work area and useful findings.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
- Gas Fireplace InstallationCreate a complete gas fireplace installation plan for the room, appliance and connected systems.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo