The Fireplace Damper – an Important Part of Any Fireplace

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Although owning a home with a fireplace does not necessarily mean you need to learn everything about the fireplace, but it is a good idea to be able to know when the key parts of your unit need to be replaced. There are some integral elements to a fireplace that contribute to the day-to-day functioning, and one such part is the fireplace damper. Learning more about the fireplace damper ensures that your fireplace will continue to function safely and effectively and that you will know when that particular part needs to be changed.

A damper really refers to a valve or plate that stops or controls the flow of air inside the chimney. In specific, a chimney damper is a metal spring door placed at the top of the chimney with a long metal chain that gives you the option to open and close the chimney from the fireplace. As you can see, the damper is a very important part of the functioning of the fireplace. In a chimney flue, the damper closes off the flue to keep cold weather as well as birds outside and warmer air inside. Therefore, this part is very important in ensuring that your house stays warm during the winter season.

In most cases, the damper can be accessed by reaching into the fireplace by hand or with a wood poker. In some cases, there is a lever or knob that sticks out of the fireplace to allow you to access the damper. If you have a wood burning stove or fireplace, the fireplace damper is usually controlled by a handle on the vent duct. So although the damper can be accessed in different ways depending on the type of unit you have, the importance of it to the functioning of the fireplace is obviously the same.

Now, there is something very important to note about the fireplace damper. If you forget to open the damper before starting a fire in the fireplace, you can end up causing serious smoke damage to the interior of the home. And, in worst cases you could end up with a house fire. Therefore, it is absolutely important that you understand the functioning of the fireplace damper as well as the other parts.

When fireplace dampers go bad, one will need to source a replacement for your specific model of fireplace. Generally, depending on the brand you have, a replacement fireplace damper can cost anywhere from $30 up. It is not a very expensive piece of equipment however it plays a very important role in the functioning of the fireplace.

Understanding the functioning and use of your fireplace damper is important to ensuring the proper functioning of your unit. Spend some time understanding the use of this part as well as others that help the fireplace to remain functional.