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How to Close the Chimney Flue Turn off the gas to the fireplace or wait for wood to burn out. Put on work gloves to keep your hands free of soot. 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.
How do I know if my fireplace flue is open or closed?
Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don’t feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.
When should I close my fireplace flue?
The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. Close it when it’s not it use. Operating the fireplace with the damper partially closed will not generate more heat. Instead, blocking the passage through the flue will result in smoke entering the home.
Is a damper and flue the same thing?
A damper is located in the flue of your chimney. The flue is where the smoke escapes when the fire is going. Dampers are placed inside of the flue to help control ventilation.
Should the damper be open all the way?
When should the damper be kept open or closed? The fireplace damper should always be in the open position whenever you have a fire in the fireplace. Close the damper when the fire is extinguished. This will prevent the heated air from escaping through the chimney and will keep water and other debris out of the flue.
Is it OK to leave the flue open overnight?
The smoke from burning wood contains carbon monoxide, so in order to prevent this toxic byproduct from entering your home, it is important to leave the flue open overnight. This enables a draft to carry the compound out into the atmosphere, instead of sinking down the chimney and saturating the room.
Should I close my chimney flue in the summer?
The chimney damper is the last line of defense to keep water and critters out of your home. Even if you have a chimney cap, it is a good idea to keep the damper closed in the summer. The hot, humid air that the damper lets into the chimney won’t air out chimney odors. It may actually cause your chimney to smell.
Should damper be open or closed in winter?
HVAC Damper Open Or Closed In Summer/Winter In most homes, dampers going to the upstairs are open in the summer and closed in the winter. By closing the dampers to the upstairs in the winter, it allows for the heat to rise naturally after first being introduced into the lower levels of the home.
Can you use a fireplace without a damper?
Whether your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if it was built with a pre-fabricated insert, then it almost certainly has a damper. And while older wood-burning fireplaces can function safely without a damper (gas fireplaces cannot), a chimney without a damper is just a gaping hole in the roof of your house.
How do I close my fireplace damper?
To open or close the damper, lift the handle and push or pull to move the damper to the desired position. Replace the handle when the damper is in place.
What is the lever on the side of a fireplace for?
in your home are turned off when burning your fire. Also, some wood burning fireplaces have a lever to open or close the outside air vent to the fireplace. If your fireplace has this lever (usually located on the left inside panel) make sure the outside air vent is in the open (or up) position.
How do you close a wood burning fireplace?
Close Off Fireplaces with a Throat Damper The first, and perhaps easiest, way to close off a fireplace is with the damper. “If you have a bottom/standard masonry damper you can close it and seal it closed with silicone to stop the airflow,” says Blaken.
Is it OK to close flue with embers?
Yes, you will lose some heat up the flue, but you will save the occupants of the home from poisoning by colorless, odorless carbon monoxide. In the morning, stir the embers and check them for any hot spots. Only when they are completely cold to the touch is it safe to shut the fireplace damper.
Can you go to bed with embers in the fireplace?
You should never leave a fireplace burning overnight, regardless of the source. Before you go to sleep, be sure to put out the fire and let the materials cool down. Unattended fire is a hazard, and even the slightest gust of wind can reignite it or blow embers to a nearby flammable material.
How do you keep a fire going all night in a fireplace?
11 Ways To Keep A Fire Going In An Open Fireplace Ensure That The Damper Is Fully Open. Warm The Chimney. Maintain The Air Supply. Build The Fire Correctly. Only Burn Wood That Is Dry Enough. Burn Room Temperature Wood. Burn Hardwood Logs. Add A Couple of Logs At A Time.
How do I block my chimney in the summer?
Install a Top-Sealing Damper Closing your damper snuggly should help keep the heat from the chimney from coming into the house. Another option is to install top-sealing damper. A top-sealing damper is a damper that caps the chimney instead of a traditional damper installed at the throat of the flue.
How do I seal my fireplace in the summer?
If you want to seal your fireplace off for good, the easiest way to do so in a hurry is to cut out a foam insulation plug, place it at the bottom of your chimney, and caulk or weatherstrip it in place.7 days ago.
