Do outdoor fireplaces need dampers?
Damper – a valve or plate that regulates smoke and air flow up the chimney. Indoors a damper allows you to close off the chimney when not in use and eliminate draft. Dampers are optional in outdoor fireplaces.
Is a flue and a damper 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. Your damper should have a chain or handle that you can access in order to open and close it.
Why does smoke come out the front of my outdoor fireplace?
Every fireplace will tend to smoke out the front while the flue is warming up or cooling down. That is a principle of thermodynamics. Heat rises, but smoke has some weight that is influenced by gravity and air pressure, rising heat creates an advantage at the top of the chimney to draw more smoke up the flue.
What if my fireplace doesn’t have 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. It’s a gateway for frigid air to enter and for heated air to escape in the winter.
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.
Do I need a flue damper?
Flue dampers are required on double door stoves when burned with doors open and screen in place. The damper then becomes your only control to slow the fire. It’s good to have one on any stove in case while loading you get a log stuck and can’t shut the door right away while you fight it.
How do I control the smoke from my outdoor fireplace?
5 Ways to Reduce Fire Pit Smoke
- Use Well Seasoned or Kiln-Dried Firewood.
- Focus on Using Firewood Types That Naturally Smoke Less.
- Take the Time to Build a Fire That Starts Quickly and Burns Long.
- Keep Your Fire Pit Clean After Every Use to Reduce Fire Pit Smoke.
How do I stop my fireplace from smelling like smoke?
How To Extinguish Fireplace Odors
- Clean and Repair the Chimney. Prevent odors from forming altogether by keeping your fireplace and chimney clean.
- Use Fireplace Deodorant.
- Deodorize with Vinegar.
- Absorb the Smell with Charcoal.
- Run an Air Purifier.
- Have Your Fireplace Inspected.
- Call Molly Maid for Help.
Is a damper necessary?
Newer models of wood stove don’t typically require a damper. A damper was traditionally used on older, less efficient, models of stove to help reduce the flow of air leaving the firebox. Certified modern stoves meet stringent regulations and typically won’t need a damper to perform well.
How do I know if my fireplace has a damper?
A visual check is one of the surest ways of checking whether the damper is open or not. Simply stick your head in the fireplace and look up. If you have a throat damper, the closed damper immediately above your head will block your vision. You should be able to reach up and touch the closed damper.
How do you open an indoor fireplace flue damper?
– Examine the chimney breast. If the chimney has been blocked up correctly, there will be a vent in the wall just above the skirting board. – Removing the skirting board. – Uncover the hearth. – Tap the wall. – Cut the bricks. – Revealing the Fireplace. – Check the draught. – Chimney sweep.
Should a fireplace flue damper always be completely open?
Your flue should always be open when the fireplace is operating. Operating the fireplace with the damper partially closed will not. The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. You can close the damper when. The damper should always be open when a fire is burning in the fireplace.
What is the difference between flue and damper?
– Protects the house from heat transfer to combustibles – Protects chimney masonry from corrosive combustion by-products – Ensures the flue is of the correct size for efficiency reasons
How expensive is it to repair a fireplace damper?
Fireplace Repair Cost. Fixing a fireplace averages$526 but can range anywhere from$90 to$2,200.