Top sealing dampers chosen and fitted in Lauderdale Harbours
We fit the handle where you can reach it and anchor the bracket without cracking the firebrick.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
When a chimney top damper makes sense in Lauderdale Harbours
- Rain reaching the firebox floor
- Top damper cable slack or snapped
- Worn or torn gasket at the top
- Unclear open and closed positions
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Top damper decisions for homes in Lauderdale Harbours
Dampers made to sit under a cap
One style of top damper fixes to the top of the flue and is designed to sit beneath a separate chimney cap. The cap keeps rain off and holds the screen, while the damper below it does the sealing.
If your chimney already has a sound cap, this style can sometimes keep it in service. The cap has to leave enough room for the lid to open fully, and it may need to come off during installation. We check the height and clearance under your cap before recommending this route.
Factory-built chimneys need their maker's approval
Factory-built chimneys are tested as complete systems, and the Florida Building Code requires them to be terminated as the maker's instructions say. Adding a damper at the top is a change to that termination.
Some damper makers offer products and adapters for certain factory-built chimneys. That is not the same as the chimney maker approving them. We check the chimney's own documents before suggesting a top damper. If the chimney maker does not allow it, we explain the other ways to deal with the concern.
Measuring the flue for a top damper
Top dampers come in sizes and shapes to suit common flues. The measurement that matters is the flue opening and the tile around it, including the tile's shape and how far it stands above the crown. A damper sized by eye from the ground rarely fits.
We measure during the free inspection and record the figures on the estimate. Where the flue falls between standard sizes, we explain which adapter, if any, the maker offers for it. The damper you approve is then the one that fits your flue.
Setting the lug for a firm seal
On many cable dampers, a lug clamped to the cable sets how far the lid is pulled down when the handle is locked. Set too low, the lid can close loosely and leak. Set too high, the handle can be hard to lock and the cable overstressed.
The instructions describe adjusting the lug until the lid seals firmly, then trimming the spare cable. We set it that way and check the result from the roof. If the seal is not tight, we adjust again before we leave. You should not need to change the setting yourself.
Line items on a top damper estimate
- Adapter for a round or lined flue
- Seal checked from the roof
- Old hardware and debris hauled away
- Workmanship warranty on the installation
Top damper questions, answered for Lauderdale Harbours
When is it safe to close the damper after a fire?
Only once the fire is fully out and the embers are cold. Closing it earlier can push smoke into the room. The maker's instructions say the same, and we go through them with you at handover.
Will a top damper lower my cooling or heating bills?
One maker's instructions say a closed damper keeps conditioned air from escaping up the flue. We do not promise a savings figure, because that depends on the house and how the fireplace is used. We recommend a damper for fit and function.
Will the open lid slow the smoke leaving the chimney?
A properly sized damper should open wide enough not to choke the flue, and some designs are made to sit clear of the smoke path when open. We check the lid opening against the flue and tell you what we found.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Spalling Brick Repair and Chimney Brick ReplacementReplace deteriorated chimney bricks while retaining suitable surrounding masonry.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo