Top sealing dampers chosen and fitted in West Park
Approve the damper work within 72 hours of your free inspection and it is 10% off.
- 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 West Park
- Rain reaching the firebox floor
- Lid that no longer closes tight
- Daylight visible up a closed flue
- Rust flakes dropping from the throat
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The details behind a sealing top damper
How the rubber gasket seals the lid
The seal at the top comes from a gasket between the lid and the frame, often silicone rubber on current models. When the lid is pulled shut, the gasket compresses and closes the gap. A frame without a sound gasket closes but does not seal.
Gaskets age with heat and weather. A flattened, cracked or torn gasket lets air and water past a closed lid. On an existing top damper, we look at the gasket first. Some makers sell replacement parts, which can be cheaper than a new damper when the rest of the unit is sound.
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.
The crown around the damper
The damper sits on the flue, but the crown around it still sheds water off the chimney. A cracked or crumbling crown can let water into the masonry even with a sealed damper above the flue.
We look at the crown during the damper inspection and tell you what we see. Crown repair is quoted as its own item, so you can decide on it separately. A damper does not waterproof the crown, and we would rather tell you now than have you discover it with the first heavy rain.
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.
Top damper scope, step by step
- Fireplace type and fuel confirmed
- Flue tile top condition
- Handle bracket position in the firebox
- Seal checked from the roof
Top damper questions for homes in West Park
Does the chimney need cleaning before installation?
The frame bonds to the top of the flue tile, so the tile has to be clean and sound. If the flue holds deposits or debris, cleaning comes first as a separate item. We explain what we saw before you decide.
Can a top damper keep animals out of the flue?
When it is shut, the lid and gasket close the opening that animals use. It must not be fitted over an animal already inside, so we check the flue first. If something is living there, removal comes before the damper.
Does a top damper need any upkeep?
Occasional checks help. The gasket, the hinge, the spring and the cable all wear with use. On a maintenance visit, we check that the lid opens fully, closes tight and that the handle and bracket are secure.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
- Chimney Cap Installation and ReplacementProtect the chimney opening with a cap chosen for its fit, attachment and compatible system.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Chimney Flue RepairAssess repairs to damaged existing flue linings and distinguish them from a new liner installation.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo