A chimney top damper fitted properly in Las Olas Isles
Your free inspection covers the fireplace, the flue top and the damper you have now.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues your fireplace needs a better damper
- Rain reaching the firebox floor
- Birds or insects coming down the flue
- Stiff pull on the damper chain
- A cap that no longer keeps rain out
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Top sealing damper choices explained
Built for wood-burning fireplaces
Top sealing dampers are made for fireplaces that burn wood. One maker's instructions state plainly that its damper is not for use on any kind of gas-burning fireplace or appliance. Product pages mark several other models the same way.
That is why the first question we ask is what burns in your fireplace. If it burns wood only, a top damper may be an option. If anything else burns there, or is planned, the answer changes, and we read the product limits and the appliance instructions before going any further.
The tile top has to be sound
Many top dampers are fixed to the top edge of the flue tile with a high-temperature adhesive supplied by the maker. The bond is only as good as the tile under it. A cracked, crumbling or loose tile top cannot hold the frame securely.
We look closely at the tile edge during the inspection. Small chips may be fine. A split tile or a loose section needs repair before any damper goes on. That repair appears as a separate line, and the damper is only fitted once the tile top is ready for it.
What to mention when you call about a damper
Start with what burns in the fireplace, even if it is rarely used. Then describe the damper you have now: whether it opens, closes, leaks or has gone missing. Mention anything else that vents through the chimney.
It also helps to know whether there is a cap on the chimney and whether any work has been done up there recently. If you have heard animals in the flue, say so. Those details shape the visit, the parts we bring and whether a top damper is even the right conversation.
When we advise against a top damper
Some fireplaces are poor candidates for a top damper, and we tell you so. The usual reasons are a gas appliance in the firebox or a flue that also vents another appliance. A factory-built chimney whose maker does not allow it, or a flue top that cannot hold a frame, are others.
In those cases, we explain what else can be done, such as a throat damper repair, a cap or leaving the arrangement as it is. You receive that advice in writing. We would rather lose a sale than fit a damper that works against the fireplace.
Line items on a top damper estimate
- Crown condition around the flue
- Gasket type and seal check
- Lid opening and closing tested
- Set time before the next fire
Questions to settle before a top damper
Can I add a top damper if gas burns in the firebox?
Usually not with the common products. A vented decorative gas appliance needs the damper held fully open while it burns, and several top damper products are marked not for that use. We read both sets of instructions before giving you an answer.
How soon can I use the fireplace after installation?
The adhesive under the frame needs time to set before the fireplace is used. We tell you the maker's set time at handover and write it on the record, so the next fire waits until the seal is ready.
Should I repair the throat damper instead of adding one on top?
Sometimes that is the simpler route. A throat damper that only needs freeing or a new handle may be worth repairing. One that is warped, rusted through or missing parts may point to a top damper instead, and we price both.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney Flue RepairAssess repairs to damaged existing flue linings and distinguish them from a new liner installation.
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
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Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo