There are so many parts to your chimney that need to be taken care of. Clearly, the structure of the chimney itself is of the utmost importance. It’s important to keep an eye on the mortar that surrounds the chimney for flaking or soft and crumbly mortar. This helps to ensure that the integrity of the chimney structure is okay and that you won’t be facing any major repair jobs. Keep an eye out for signs of water leaks, such as brown stains on the ceiling or wallpaper, or soft or peeling wallboards or ceiling tiles. Another piece of your chimney’s anatomy that needs to be in good working condition is the chimney damper.
What Does It Do?
Because the damper system isn’t something that you can see without looking up into your chimney, you may not be aware of what it is or what it does. The damper is a metal flap that sits on the inside of your chimney. The purpose of the damper is to open or close your chimney, depending on whether you’re using it or not. As you know, your fire needs air in order to burn properly. This is called a draft. When your damper is open, it allows the air in to create a strong fire. It also allows the byproduct of combustion, smoke, to leave through the chimney.
On the other hand, when you’re not using your fireplace, you don’t want the warm air inside your house to escape through the chimney. This would be a huge waste of money on high heating bills. You also don’t want cold air coming into the room through the open chimney. That’s why you need to keep the dampers shut when not burning a fire.
What Can Happen To Your Dampers
Your damper is made out of metal, which rusts easily. This is especially true if there is a chimney leak or if your chimney cap isn’t in great condition. When rain, snow, or other precipitation get into your chimney, rusting can occur, and that will make it harder for the damper to open or close completely. It’s also important to have a tight seal. If your dampers are bent or warped, this won’t happen either.
Which Company to Call
To be sure you are hiring the best chimney company possible, there are a few things to look for. You want a company that takes seriously the responsibility of staying on top of all the latest technologies in the chimney sweep industry. Certification in an industry respected organization is also important. At Ceaser Chimney Service, we take pride in our Chimney Safety Institute of America certification, and we’re also members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. We are proud to have received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. If you’re having problems with your damper system, give Ceaser Chimney Service a call!