Chimney Damper Archives - Atlas Chimney

Throat vs Top-Sealing Dampers

When it comes to heating your home, you want to be as cozy and comfortable as possible, but it seems like your utility bills get higher every year. One of the most common reasons why your heating costs have been increasing is that heated air escapes from your home through the chimney because your damper cannot close completely. If you have a traditional throat damper, Atlas Chimney damper Chimney can help you save money and energy by installing a new top-sealing damper. For over 25 years, we have been providing the Austin area with top quality professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services. We would like to tell you more about why top-sealing dampers are so much better than traditional throat dampers.

Why do I need to replace my traditional throat damper?

The problem with throat dampers that they are made of metal, and over the years, these traditional dampers can suffer from corrosion damage. When your damper is rusted, it can be difficult to open and close, and it could even become stuck in position. Another problem with this type of damper is that it cannot seal properly because of its metal-to-metal closure. Heated and cooled air can easily leak through traditional throat dampers, and this can lead to higher utility bills because you must adjust your thermostat to be comfortable inside your home.

Why are top-sealing dampers so much better than throat dampers?

Installed at the very top of your chimney, a top-sealing damper has a silicone rubber gasket that provides an air-tight seal whenever the damper is closed. After Atlas Chimney replaces your throat damper with one of these dampers, you will notice that your utility bills are lower than they have been in the past. Since this type of damper is located at the top of the chimney, it can also function as a chimney cap by keeping water, birds, and wild animals out of the flue. If you have had difficulties opening and closing your metal throat damper, you will appreciate how easy it is to adjust your new top-sealing damper into position. You simply pull a lever by the firebox to open and close the damper. We strongly recommend updating your chimney with a top-sealing damper.

If you would like to make your home more energy-efficient, contact us today at Atlas Chimney to learn more about top-sealing dampers. We are here for all of your professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation needs.

Fireplace Damper Issues

In order to work at its best, your chimney and its components need to be in good condition. What happens when something is wrong with one of its components? Well, it can cause minor to major problems with your chimney and fireplace. Some of these problems can even endanger your health and safety! One of the most essential components of your chimney is the fireplace damper. Do you have an older traditional throat damper? If so, it can suffer from rusting and other types of corrosion damage that can make it difficult to open and close. This can also lead to other issues. Atlas Chimney is here to help you troubleshoot chimney and fireplace problems that can be caused by a damaged damper. Now, we would like to tell you more about a couple of common fireplace damper issues.

Smoky Fireplace

Although other issues can cause smoke to blow back into your living space, not being able to fully open your fireplace damper is often behind this problem. If you have had any water leaking into your chimney, it does not just hurt the masonry materials. Water can cause the metal components of your chimney, including your fireplace damper, to become rusted. That corrosive damage makes it difficult to adjust the position of the damper to be completely opened. You may also experience problems with the handle that moves the damper. According to Do It Yourself, the handle can become disconnected from the damper. This makes it impossible to fully close or open it! When your damper cannot open completely, it can cause smoke to be forced back into your home through the fireplace.

Low Energy Efficiency

If your damper or its handle have become unable to move properly, there is also the possibility that it could become stuck in the completely opened position. This will not only negatively affect your energy efficiency during the winter when you are using your fireplace. There will still be an opening through your chimney and fireplace system that will allow cooled indoor air to escape and hot outside air to invade your home. Your utility bills could increase steadily all year round, if your damper is unable to close.

Atlas Chimney recommends updating your old throat damper with a new top-mounted damper. Why? Not only will it cause you fewer problems, but it will also save you money on your utility bills. To schedule an appointment for a professional installation of a top-mounted damper from our CSIA-certified chimney technicians, contact us today!

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