Keeping The Flame Alive: How to Use Your Chimney Damper Correctly

Fireplaces don’t just keep you warm; they’re a timeless tradition that hearkens back to a simpler time. However, to truly enjoy your fireplace, it’s essential to understand how to use it — and its damper — correctly to get the best results. In this post, we’ll walk you through what a damper is and how to use it properly to keep your fire roaring and your home safe.

What is a Fireplace Damper

The damper is a metal component in the chimney or flue that opens and closes to control airflow. Think of it as the regulator between the air inside and outside the home.

When the damper’s open, smoke, gases, and heat escape through the chimney. When it’s closed, it prevents drafts from entering and keeps heat from escaping.

Preparing the Fireplace

Get an Inspection

Before using the fireplace for the first time every season, it’s important to have it inspected by a certified professional. A chimney sweep will look for dangers, like:

Creosote Buildup: Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood and is highly flammable in its later stages.

Obstructions: Critters love a warm chimney during winter, and it’s not uncommon for squirrels, birds, and other animals or debris to get into the chimney, causing an obstruction. Obstructions prevent proper venting and allow harmful gases to flow back into the house.

Structural Issues: Chimneys are exposed to the weather day in and out. Moisture can seep into the porous masonry materials, freeze, and cause tiny cracks, which worsen over time, leading to deteriorating mortar joints and spalling bricks, which can compromise the chimney’s structure.

Test the Damper

Make sure the damper opens and closes smoothly and check it for corrosion or other damage.

Get Supplies

Stock up on well-seasoned firewood, kindling, and fire starters. Don’t use wet or “green” wood because it produces too much smoke. More smoke means faster creosote buildup.

Using the Fireplace Safely and Efficiently

Starting the Fire

Open the Damper: Open the damper fully before you start the fire. This allows smoke and gases to escape and is crucial to prevent your home from filling with smoke.

Prime the Chimney: On cold days, warm up the flue by burning a rolled-up newspaper near the damper. This establishes a strong draft, pulling smoke up and out.

Build Your Fire: Arrange the kindling in a triangle and light it. Once the fire catches, gradually add larger logs to avoid smothering the flames.

Maintaining the Fire

• Keep the damper open while the fire is burning.
• Add logs as needed to keep the flames lively, but don’t overload the fireplace.
• Use a fireplace screen to prevent embers from escaping.

Managing the Damper During and After Use

How you use the damper is crucial to the fire’s performance. Keep the damper open while the fire’s burning to ensure proper ventilation and to allow the smoke and toxic gases to escape.

Monitor the airflow; if smoke enters the home, ensure the damper is fully open and the draft is strong.

After the fire is out and the embers are cool to the touch, close the damper to keep the heat in and drafts out. Clean the firebox to remove ash and debris because ash buildup can restrict airflow.

Mistakes to Avoid

Maintaining a strong fire is pretty straightforward, but you can make mistakes if you’re not careful.

Lighting a Fire with the Damper Closed: This is one of the most common mistakes people make. A closed damper can quickly fill the room with smoke and harmful gases.

Leaving the Damper Open Overnight: It’s necessary to keep the damper open when the fire’s burning, but after it’s out, leaving it open allows warm air to escape, which can drive up heating costs.

Burning Improper Materials: Many people treat their fireplaces as trash disposal units. Don’t burn paper with colored ink, treated wood, trash, or anything other than seasoned firewood, as this can release toxic fumes and damage the chimney.

Call Chimney Sweeps Inc. to ensure your fireplace and chimney are safe and ready to keep you and your family warm this winter. If you want to keep your fireplace and chimney in good shape, servicing it is the best way to preserve it for years to come. If you are in the greater San Diego area, call us or fill out our quick online contact form.