What You Need to Know About Chimney Dampers
If you’re on Long Island and your chimney isn’t currently venting properly, it could be time for some chimney dampers. There are two basic types of dampeners, top mounted and bottom mounted, and you’re about to take a crash course in all of them! Throat Chimney Dampers Contrary to the top mounted damper, which is by far located at the very top of the chimney,the throat dampener is usually located more near the bottom of the chimney– more or less parallel to the ground. This allows some steam to escape in the form of water vapor when the air is heated, thus causing an oily residue to collect in the crevices of the flue at the bottom and along the walls of the chimney. These steamy residues can increase in size and get really smelly!
The proper functioning of chimney flue dampers depend on both the presence and absence of these steamy dampers. If there are none, then the damper will effectively act as a vacuum by drawing in smoke, soot, fumes, smoke, and other residue so that it can be exhausted outside of the house. However, if there are numerous dampers and a number of ways for these vapors to escape from the flue into the atmosphere, you may have a problem. In this case, your best bet is to install a chimney damper and waterproof the chimney flue itself. Of course, you don’t want to simply put a damper in the bottom; you also want to seal and insulate it properly. Read on for more information about these steps and how to choose the right damper and chimney damper for your home or business.
There are several types of chimney dampers on the market today. A few examples include copper square tubing, metal flue damper boxes, copper or steel throat chimney dampers and fiberglass square flue damper boxes. Each of these products has advantages and disadvantages. For example, copper square tube chimney dampers are very efficient and inexpensive. However, they are not very attractive and can even look ugly in some circumstances. Meanwhile, fiberglass or steel throat chimney dampers look better, are usually less expensive and more durable, but can rust and corrode over time.
Before you purchase any venting product, it’s a good idea to consult an expert. In fact, since every chimney flue and damper system is different, you need to hire a professional chimney sweep or engineer to evaluate your system before you make any purchases. They will be able to tell you if you need a new chimney damper or if your current damper needs to be replaced. Additionally, they will be able to give you important information about which product best suits your needs. Ultimately, you want to choose a chimney dampers system that seals the chimney to the floor and ensures that air and moisture are kept separate from each other. In order to do this, there are several products that you need to consider.
The first category is clay tile chimney dampers. These products are made out of clay – a highly heat resistant substance. When used for smoking or burning, this material helps to create a layer of insulation between the smoke and the air inside the flue. This makes it easier for smoke to stay where it belongs, rather than being forced up into the house. However, chimney caps made out of clay tile do not guarantee this type of insulation.
Another chimney dampers option is a metal chimney flue damper. These products can also provide a layer of insulation between the flue and the interior of your home, but they are typically not as effective as clay tile. The advantage to a metal chimney dampers system is that they can easily shield and protect your home from fires that start as ash from your wood stove. The downside to metal chimney dampers is that they can be a little more expensive and may require that you purchase a chimney cap for each fireplace you have.
The final type of chimney caps we will discuss are those that are made of fiberglass. These products help to keep rainwater away from your chimney at the source, and they prevent smoke from escaping as well. Like clay tile, fiberglass chimney caps are typically only good at keeping rainwater from your chimney at the bottom of the flue. If you have a well constructed chimney and your smoke stack is not sealed, you will still have rainwater coming into your house through the chimney top.
When shopping for a chimney damper to fit your fireplace, it is important that you buy one that is the right size for your flue and one that is made of a material that will keep your smoke and heat loss to the lowest possible level. Also make sure that you get a damper that is completely open so that all air can get out of your house. If you take these things into consideration, you should end up with an effective damper that will effectively keep the heat or cold air in your house where it belongs.
