Top Mount Chimney Dampers

If you own an older home with a fireplace, there is a good chance that its damper is located in the bottom of the chimney’s throat between the lintel and the smoke shelf. While these bottom mount dampers serve a purpose, they are inferior to a top mount damper.

Here are a number of reasons you should consider replacing your bottom mount damper with a top mount one.

What is a Damper?

A damper is really just a door that opens and shuts to let you control the airflow between your home and the outside. It also serves the purpose of keeping water and wildlife from getting inside your home.

There are two types of dampers, one located just above your fireplace’s firebox and another type called a top mount damper which is operated by a control cable at the opening in the top of your chimney’s flue.

Why is a Top Mount Damper Better Superior?

There are several reasons why having a top mount damper in your chimney makes more sense than not having one. Here are some of the reasons

Energy

A top mount damper will hold heated air in your chimney instead of letting it escape and will help to keep the room warmer longer. On the nights you need your fireplace, you won’t have to run central heating as long, if at all. Using a fireplace also helps take the strain off the power grid on winter nights.

Wildlife

A bottom mount damper will keep wildlife from getting inside your residence, but it won’t keep the wildlife from making your chimney their residence. Birds, bats, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, and other unwanted creatures may find your chimney their ideal home.

A top mount damper will keep water out of your flue and keep it from doing damage to your chimney liner. There is nothing more destructive than water to the well-being of your fireplace.

If your chimney liner begins to break down, that means that the high heat generated inside your fireplace has a chance to heat things like your attic to ignition.

A chimney liner also keeps carbon monoxide from seeping into your home. Carbon Monoxide is a killer with no taste or smell, and by the time you notice the symptoms of poisoning, it may already be too late.

We Can Install a Top Mount Damper in Your Chimney

If you have an old-style bottom mount damper, it just makes sense to replace it with a top mount damper. Get in touch today about installing a top mount damper; a member of our experienced staff will be in contact to discuss installing a top mount damper. Call us or fill out our easy contact form to speak with a chimney professional. We serve the following areas Huntington Beach CA, Long Beach CA, Torrance CA, Anaheim CA, Santa Ana CA, Fountain Valley CA , Seal Beach CA, Garden Grove CA, Irvine CA, or anywhere in the greater SoCal area.