how to open a fireplace flue with chain

Others have a lever designed to move with a knob or chain connected to the damper. The most common way to prime a chimney flue is to roll up newspaper to create a torch, light it, and then hold it up toward the damper. 4.3 out of 5 stars 28. If your fireplace has pull chains, pull the longer chain to disengage the damper and then pull the shorter chain to close the flue. They are most often found at the front top part of the fireplace. TOM: No, not slightly open; all the way open. Third, the rush of air over the fire makes the wood burn more quickly. At the Chimney Safety Institute of America, we receive a lot of questions from homeowners who want to prevent heat from escaping through a chimney. It's important to keep the flue open when a fire is burning, or smoke will have no where to go but back inside the house. The damper can be opened and closed through a few different mechanisms, including a latch, a pull chain, or a handle. If the damper is closed, then the smoke will come out of the chimney and fill out the room. A damper is intended to shut off- either fully or partially- the chimney flue. Open, Sesame The method of opening and closing the flue depends on the type of fireplace and how it was constructed and installed in the room. It gets very hot and can cause severe burning. How to Operate a Flue in a Wood Burning Fireplace Step 1. In this case, the chain is in the lower position when the flue is closed and in the upper position when the flue is open. Visually inspect the flue damper during the daytime to see if it is in the open or closed position. If the damper is open, smoke will exit out of the chimney. Because a properly functioning open chimney has an updraft — the negative pressure that pulls smoke up and out … If you have a top-mounted damper that’s located at the top of the chimney, you’re likely to have a chain that hangs down into the fireplace which can be used to open and close the damper. This duct within your chimney includes a damper that can be opened or closed by a lever or pull chains, in most instances. When you let the mouse move over the float window, the popup menu which contains all the open windows will pop up to you immediately. There is a spring that keeps the top-mount damper open, and the controlling cable or handle is usually attached to the fireplace wall. A handle beside or just inside the fireplace operates the damper. 4.8 out of 5 stars 226. Locate the flue lever before starting a fire. This duct within your chimney includes a damper that can be opened or closed by a lever or pull chains, in most instances. It often has a damper mechanism, commonly a piece of metal that fits in or just below it, which can be opened or closed. Jim Similar Threads: Prefab Fireplace Clearances; Gas Fireplace Chimney Clearance; Staining on damper; Wood Burning Fireplace ; Fireplace Had It's Own Air Handler Unit; 01 … Open the flue damper for a fire. She wrote the "The Work-At-Home Success Bible" and is a career/business and writing instructor at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Some fireplaces have a lever while others will have pulley system consisting of two chains with rings on the end. Often you can see them just by looking directly at the fire place. Close the flue damper when there is no fire. If the damper is at the top of the flue and is opened and closed by a chain, does it require a clip? It will help you save energy too. Try it both chain up and down. If can see the sky, the flue damper is open. You’ve got to make sure that vents … The flue is topped by a damper that opens and closes with a lever system’s movement found on/near the fireplace. I can’t open my damper! If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you have a damper that controls how much air goes out the chimney during a fire. First, the heated air is siphoned directly from the house through the chimney flue. These dampers also provide an energy-tight seal and make your chimney much more efficient in … Determine the position of the flue damper. Parts Of A Fireplace Diagram. When you're fire is out or during seasons that you don't have fires, keep the flue damper shut to prevent heat or cooling loss. If you're not sure which position is the open or shut, repeat Step 2 to determine the position of the damper. Once you've determined the status of the flue damper, remember the position of the lever or chains so you'll always know if the flue is open or shut without having to check the flue directly. A lever that’s pushed to the left will close the damper whereas a lever pushed to the right will open it. Opening a damper when a fire is burning should allow smoke to travel up the … It's important to keep the flue open when a fire is burning, or smoke will have no where to go but back inside the house. If the fireplace smokes a little or occasionally, make sure the damper is in the fully open position. Some dampers open by pulling a chain, while others have a knob to turn. Once the fire is out, it's important to close the flue so the warmth that … No matter what type of home or chimney you have, understanding chimney repair and following a maintenance plan can keep your fireplace or stove in top condition. This type of damper is spring-loaded and has a default position of open. The damper will have pins on each end that drop into grooves in the sides of the fireplace, forming hinges. If it's dark out or you're not sure, you can reach your hand up to feel for the flue. Others have a lever designed to move with a knob or chain connected to the damper. The damper must be open before a fire is started or smoke will come into the house rather than up the chimney. Last, there is little heat reflecting … You turn the handle to a vertical position to open the flue damper and back to a horizontal position to close it. Step 2. The Number 1 tip of warming a flue is ensuring the damper, the access point to the flue, is open. Light up a fire. If your fireplace has pull chains, pull the longer chain to disengage the damper and then pull the shorter chain to close the flue. When it's open, you'll feel a rush of cool air in the fireplace and see an open vent. One of the easiest ways to tell whether or not your damper is open is by starting a fire. By controlling how open or closed a fireplace damper is you can inhibit the flow of any air, gas and particles through that damper. Other designs include the look-through type with two opposite faces and three-face types. Modern fireplaces often have a handle installed above or inside the opening. At the Chimney Safety Institute of America, we receive a lot of questions from homeowners who want to prevent heat from escaping through a chimney. They are mounted on top of the chimney and open and close via a cable that threads down the chimney flue and to a handle. Also apeice of tissue will suck up and out the chimney when it is open… Light a match or candle and hold it at the fire place. Finally, your fireplace damper may be controlled by a chain, a typical control for top-mounted dampers. To open you just pull down hard and release. It may be jammed in a semi-open position or … if you are talking a stove flue [free standing] the handle on the flue will indicate open or closed. Once the fire is out, it's important to close the flue so the warmth that was created doesn't escape out the … Chimney type; Flue diameter; Fireplace opening size; Stove heat output; Room ventilation; Hearth size and thickness; Read on to find out more about how to fit a wood burner in your fireplace! If your fireplace has pull chains, pull the longer chain to disengage the damper and then pull the shorter chain to close the flue. Make sure the damper on the flue is fully open when lighting a fire. If your fireplace has pull chains, pull the longer chain to disengage the damper and then pull the shorter chain to close the flue. Use a flashlight to look up into the chimney opening to see what can be verified. For chimney cap dampers, look for a chain inside your fireplace. Don't manipulate the flue damper when a fire is burning or a fire has just been extinguished. To start a fire, you must have the damper in the full-open position. You should turn the knob clockwise, as far as it can go, or push the rod all the way up to open the damper. However, it can be a safety risk and an energy waster if not used properly. Of course, the blocking material must be removed before a fire is started. It is easy enough to figure out. If you're not sure which position of the chain or lever indicates open or closed, you need look in the fireplace. How do you close a fireplace flue? $16.99 ... Midwest Hearth Fireplace Damper Clamp | Flue Stop Clamp for Gas Logs. TOM: No, not slightly open; all the way open. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. When a fire is lit, an open damper lets the smoke, soot and gases escape out the chimney. The cast iron or iron and steel box should fit securely in the masonry fireplace, and the entire chimney … Push the lever up slightly to disengage it from its support tab and then pull it away from the tab horizontally as the damper lowers into a closed position. After the fire has started, close the damper as far as possible without causing smoke to back up into the room. If you start a fire before opening the throat damper, smoke will flow out of the fireplace instead of going up the chimney. Though designs vary, many common patterns have emerged through experience with successful fireplaces. And, any structural alterations, such as … Like the fireplace itself, the damper is an exceptionally simple concept. However, because of the potential risks from fire and toxic fumes, even if you’re only installing a stove in an existing fireplace or lining a flue, the work will need to comply with Building Regulations (Part J deals with combustion appliances). When someone refers to “opening the flue” of the fireplace, what they really mean is opening the damper. If the flue is open, you'll be able to reach your hand up the chimney. Light a match or candle and hold it at the fire place. We can fix this problem for you so that you can safely enjoy fires in your fireplace this winter. Put your head in and look up. $7.95 $ 7. Sweeping logs are popular because of their ease of use for creosote removal. BUILDING CODES SET MINIMUM FLUE SIZE Once the size of the fireplace opening is set, you can determine the appropriate flue size. The best efficiency solution for a fireplace is a full insert. To avoid a wet flue, have a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) install a chimney cap (e.g., Shelter Galvanized Steel Chimney Cap, $39.90 on Amazon). Dampers are sometimes miss-called flues or flutes, but they are something entirely different than the flue. LESLIE: (overlapping voices) Open. Fireplace with an insert. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. To close a top-mount damper, you have to pull the attached chain and secure it on a hook on the side of the firebox. For chimney cap dampers, look for a chain inside your fireplace. Once the flue is open, place your logs, kindling and paper into the fireplace and set the fire. Step 2. Check if you can feel a draft. The "chain-pull" usually opens a counter-balanced damper and the chain needs to be "latched" on to some type of cleat that holds the chain. The type of fireplace will determine the size of flue liner for example an open fire fireplace will require a flue liner that ranges in diameter from 8 to 10 inches. In this case, the chain is in the lower position when the flue is closed and in the upper position when the flue is open. If your damper is located at the top of your fireplace, you have a traditional throat damper. Browse here our current online stock of 50+ antique and vintage fireplace grates 6.Open the window and turn off the kitchen exhaust hood. Because you’re burning – you know, you’re burning natural gas; that’s going to convert to carbon monoxide. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed. Start a small but smoky fire in your fireplace, say using papers or tinder alone. fireplace opening and flue size, in-creasing the chimney height in-creases the amount of draft. Before lighting up that firewood, ensure the fireplace flue is open or else the smoke and gases will fill up your room. Determine the position of the flue damper. Fireplace dampers are typically made of metal or ceramic so they can tolerate the heat of the fire without suffering damage. Start a fire. There are a few causes to fireplace inefficiency. If the damper is not resting in these grooves, it will not open and close properly. Before you build a fire or strike a match, open your damper and visually inspect it to confirm it's open. Fill any remaining gaps with silicone. Some dampers open by pulling a chain, while others … Sometimes it’s necessary to do this a couple of times or more, to warm up the flue well enough that you have a good draft for a fire. I would light some incense and determine if [pulled -chain position] the smoke escapes or is "drawn " up the chimney. If the opening of your fireplace is more than ten times the circumference of your flue, the dynamics are … If your damper is located at the top of your chimney, you have a top-mount damper. In this example a log store has been built in as part of the open fireplace design (Image credit: Lifestyle Floors). A fire on a cold night keeps the family home warm and cozy. Creosote deposited over a long period becomes highly flammable and it’s often the cause of chimney fires. This is a sleeve of pipe, usually metal, that connects the piping coming out of the fireplace to the flue opening. If you start a fire before opening the throat damper, smoke will flow out of the fireplace instead of going up the chimney. Open fires with larger fireplace openings (usually freestanding grates) will need larger flue sizes calculated alongside the height of the chimney and required ventilation. Worse yet, if you have a gas fireplace, burned gas can escape the fireplace and create the conditions for carbon monoxide poisoning. However, because of the potential risks from fire and toxic fumes, even if you’re only installing a stove in an existing fireplace or lining a flue, the work will need to comply with Building Regulations (Part J deals with combustion appliances). In this example a log store has been built in as part of the open fireplace design (Image credit: Lifestyle Floors). Also apeice of tissue will suck up and out the chimney when it is open, If you dont want to use the match trick. Push the lever up slightly to disengage it from its support tab and then pull it away from the tab horizontally as the damper lowers into a closed position. These dampers are opened and closed by a ratcheting push or lift rod, or a screw-type rotary control. Reach up into the smoke box shelf from the bottom of the flue if there is no chain to pull. MULTIOPENING FIREPLACES Some fireplaces have more than one open face. Adjusting the damper helps you burn a fire safely and efficiently. How to Operate the Chimney Flue A flue directs smoke outside of a home when a fireplace is in use. Sealing a fireplace flue in this manner can also reduce or eliminate soot odors that are prone to travel into the house during windy or stormy days. When there is no fire burning in the fireplace, the damper should be closed to keep heated or cooled air from escaping out of the chimney. A chimney flue is essential in conveying smoke and harmful gases from your fireplace to the outdoors. The open position is the default, and you will have to pull on a chain or cable and work against the spring to close the damper. Try it both chain up and down. The flow of air down into a fireplace or stove from a chimney or flue. Since knowing how to use the damper correctly affects your safety, we would like to tell you more about operating this component of your fireplace. Locate the flue lever before starting a fire. TOM: All the way open. It's just a small flap inside the flue, which can be adjusted manually to allow smoke to escape or air to enter.Fireplace dampers are What can we do for you? Leslie Truex has been telecommuting and freelancing since 1994. This is essentially installing a wood stove inside the masonry fireplace. If the flue is open, the smoke will go out of the chimney without any problem. If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. Below is a diagram of a typical fireplace and chimney: The diagram shows the layout of a fireplace and chimney commonly found in a home, but as all houses are built differently the layout and design of … If your fireplace is located in the basement, you may even be able to feel air coming down the chimney. According to eHow, there are a few simple tests to try to see if your damper is opening as it should: If you are unable to easily open and close your damper, contact us at Ace Chimney Sweeps. Without knowledge of how to operate the damper on the flue, however, you could end up with a house full of smoke. Open fires with larger fireplace openings (usually freestanding grates) will need larger flue sizes calculated alongside the height of the chimney and required ventilation. And I was under the impression that when I operate the gas logs, that I need to have the chimney flue slightly open. There are three main types of fireplace damper: Fireplace throat dampers; Chimney cap dampers; Flue dampers; I explain below where you can find each of these … In general, chimney cap dampers are closed if the chain is hooked to the wall surround of your fireplace. Aside from the fireplace flue, this handle may be located on the fireplace opening as well. If it’s hanging freely, the damper is closed. In some instances, the chain, which is spring loaded, rebounds onto the shelf inside the smoke box. Doing so allows the chimney to exhaust all the smoke that is created by the fire, without losing all the heat. Flue dampers can typically rotate 360 degrees in either direction, and so you can put the damper in a completely closed position, completely open position, or anywhere in between. If it’s hanging freely, the damper is closed. Step 3. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, U.S. Fire Administration: Firepace Safety. Worse yet, if you have a gas fireplace, burned gas can escape the fireplace and create the conditions for carbon monoxide poisoning. Everything is so far is going well and it fits perfectly, but I am puzzled about the logistics of fitting the flue down the chimney and connecting to the top of the fireplace, as when the fireplace is in position I cant get my hands in behind the unit. Second, while the heated air rushes from the house, it creates negative pressure in the house and contributes to cold air leaking into the house through any other openings. Make sure that the damper is centered on the flue and the entire flue is covered by the damper. If you’re still having problems opening your damper, its possible there may be deeper issue that needs addressing. The most common case is 1⁄ 10 of the fireplace opening area, but with a minimum size specified. Most damper controls are of the pull chain variety. Dampers rust when rain comes down the chimney because there is no chimney cap or the chimney cap has deteriorated. When the damper is closed, it prevents cold air from entering through the chimney. Flue dampers can therefore typically be opened and closed by turning the damper controls either to the right or to the left. Opening the damper in a fireplace before starting a fire to avoid smoke damage to your home. In the guide below, they explain how to tell if your chimney flue is open or … Move the control lever to the open position. 6. Truex has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Willamette University and a Master of Social Work from California State University-Sacramento. Carry out a visual check. if vertical flue is open. In general, chimney cap dampers are closed if the chain is hooked to the wall surround of your fireplace. Corner or L-shaped units have two adjacent faces. Visually inspect the flue damper during the daytime to see if it is in the open or closed position. The match will go out when you have it it the open position and do nothing in the closed. A flue directs smoke outside of a home when a fireplace is in use. I have two open fireplaces in my home, one of which used to have a fireplace insert, and so I’ve also explained each part in further detail using my own fireplaces as examples. If your fireplace smokes heavily and the damper if fully open, the flue could be blocked at some higher point by soot, creosote debris, a trapped animal or even a bird nest. Firmly place the chimney damper on the top of the silicone filled top of the flue. JO: Always open, would you say? Gas fireplaces use the same metal flue system as wood-burning fireplaces. The chain or cable is routed down the flue and secured to a bracket inside the fireplace opening. They open with a weight or spring action and usually have a chain or cable to pull them shut. You can test the effect of this by raising the fireplace grate or the fire basket with stones. Most British open fires were and still are designed to burn coal at up to 25% efficiency. A top-sealing damper that is pull-chain activated and a throat damper that is lever or knob activated. When you want to build a fire, open the flue damper first by pulling the chain or shifting the lever. All you … Here are simple techniques on how to tell if a chimney flue is open or closed. The match will go out when you have it it the open position and do nothing in the closed. Push the lever up slightly to disengage it from its support tab and then pull it away from the tab horizontally as the damper lowers into a closed position. If the damper is closed, smoke will come out of the chimney and enter the room. The location varies by fireplace, but generally the lever or chain set is found toward the interior front of the fireplace. © 2020 Ace Chimney Sweeps | MHIC #132188 |, Why You Should Have Your Chimney Swept Every Year. The "chain-pull" usually opens a counter-balanced damper and the chain needs to be "latched" on to some type of cleat that holds the chain. Check up into the chimney from your … So you must re-seated it in the grooves. Step 2. She has been an Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certified fitness instructor since 2001. The flue runs the chimney’s length and allows smoke and other exhaust gases from the fire below to exit the home. The flue is simply the open middle of the chimney that the smoke goes up. A fireplace cleaning log helps to prevent chimney fires and they help remove debris deposited along the chimney walls. 95. Or if the damper of the flue is left open when there is no fire, you could be wasting energy and increasing your electric bill. Make sure that the cable does not kink and get tangled while being inserting down the flue. To open it, take the chain off the hook and let it go. If not, you'll need to poke your head into the fireplace and look up. if handle is horizontal flue is closed. LESLIE: Jo in North Carolina has some concerns about a gas fireplace. JO: Yeah, I moved into this house about 12 years ago and the gas logs were already here. However, a gas fireplace will require a much smaller flue liner – you are able to use a flue liner that is only 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Open wood burning and coal fires require a class 1 flue liner with a minimum diameter of 200mm. Creosote removal is vital to your safety. What to Know Before Installing a Wood Burning Stove in an Existing Fireplace… Whether you are opening a fireplace especially for a wood burner, or have an empty recess ready to go, consider these things when … And I was under the impression that when I operate the gas logs, that I need to have the chimney flue slightly open. Hi All Have begun installing a second hand slow combustion wood heater in the open fireplace of my 30 year old home. Move the control lever to the open position. An … 1-16 of 139 results for "fireplace damper chain" Skip to main search results Eligible for Free Shipping ... Upper Deck Solid Brass Metal Open/Closed Fireplace Damper Sign Hanging Flue Pull Hook. These sticky deposits are called creosote. A handle beside or just inside the fireplace operates the damper. Lower the wire cable into the chimney. Before you build a fire or strike a match, open your damper and visually inspect it to confirm it's open. Types Of Fireplace Dampers. To look good and function properly, a fireplace needs pleasing proportions and an appropriate relation of fireplace area, flue size, and chimney height. The chain can be found on the inside of your fireplace. If you are confused about how to use your damper effectively, you are not alone. Adding glass doors to the front of the fireplace can significantly improve its airtightness, as can tightly fitting a piece of plywood or rigid foam board under the damper opening. Push the lever up slightly to disengage it from its support tab and then pull it away from the tab horizontally as the damper lowers into a closed position. Aside from the fireplace flue, this handle may be located on the fireplace opening as well. Building codes typically require a minimum flue size, expressed in terms of cross-sectional area, in relation to the area of the fire-place opening. Check if you can feel a draft. A Fireplace Opening Too Large for the Flue. SIZING THE OPENING Determining the size for a fireplace opening is mainly an aesthetic decision that depends on the size … Absolutely. It sounds obvious, but people who forget to open the damper first will quickly experience a smoke-filled room and possibly weeks of airing out the odors. These mount at the top of the chimney and feature a silicone seal that makes them airtight when closed. I would light some incense and determine if [pulled -chain position] the smoke escapes or is "drawn " up the chimney. Use a flashlight to look up into the chimney opening to see what can be verified. The purpose of a damper is to prevent heat loss when a fireplace is not in use. Open Windows Manager can make you manage all the open windows more conviently. At Ace Chimney Sweeps, we are often asked by our customers about how to open and close the damper. A gas fireplace liner is much more compact than that of an open fire fireplace. Fortunately, operating the fireplace flue damper takes little skill. At first, Open Windows Manager collects all the open windows into a popup menu, and it also puts a small float and transparent window(32*32 pixels) on the top of the screen. By increasing the height of the fire grate, the fire is closer to the chimney channel, as a result of which, the chimney flue becomes warmer and the draft will improve immediately. Before you can learn how to open and close the damper, you need to know which type of damper you have. Charlie's Chimney Sweeps in New Richmond, OH, are experts in chimney inspection, maintenance, and repair and can help with any problem that arises with your system. It is easy enough to figure out. (Make sure there has not been a fire recently as the flue gets hot.) If smoke comes into the room, it's best to hire a professional chimney sweeping service. You simply pivot the handle back and forth along the notches, allowing the handle to prop the damper open and close as you pull and set the handle into position.

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