Santa's Friend Chimney Service Blog

Why We Recommend Top-Mounted Dampers

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), a damper is a “must item” for every fireplace. A damper is essential for an energy-efficient home as it keeps the heat in and the cold air out of your house, which also saves you money on heating bills. You can also use your damper to control the flow of heat and smoke up the chimney. Dampers are available in two different types: the throat damper and the top-mounted damper. Also known as the traditional fireplace damper, a throat damper is installed right above the firebox. However, this type of damper has many flaws and issues. At Santa’s Friend Chimney Service, we strongly recommend the top-mounted damper over the throat damper. We would like to share with you why we like top-mounted dampers and tell you about the benefits of these dampers.

With dual functions, a top-mounted damper is a “two for the price of one” chimney component.

One of the best benefits of a top-mounted damper is that it also serves as a chimney cap when the damper is closed, and, honestly, it actually gives you better protection than an ordinary chimney cap. Equipped with a silicone rubber gasket to seal in heat and air conditioning as a damper, a top-mounted damper also provides you with an air-tight seal to keep out water, debris, birds, squirrels, and raccoons — just as a chimney cap should. Santa’s Friend Chimney Service recommends installing a top-mounted damper to our customers who need to replace a damaged chimney cap. Some models of top-mounted dampers come with caps, so even when the damper is open, your chimney is still protected from debris and animals.

A top-mounted damper saves both energy and money.

Throat dampers just cannot completely seal as well as top-mounted dampers. You do not have to worry about cold air, ice, and snow entering the flue and chase to create a cold core in your chimney. A cold core tries to cool your home at the same time that your heating system is trying to warm it up, which causes you to waste fuel and money. Since a top-mounted damper sits on the top of your chimney, cold air never even has a chance to get anywhere inside your chimney because your entire flue is sealed air-tight with the silicone rubber gasket. Trust us when we say you will save money on both cooling and heating bills when you install a top-mounted damper.

A top-mounted damper is easy to open and close.

With some throat dampers, you have to practically stick your head up the fireplace to open and close the dampers. When you have a top-mounted damper, opening and closing the damper is simple and hassle-free. A cable from the damper drops down the chimney and connects to an easily-accessible handle that is mounted inside the firebox. Different models have different opening and closing methods, but Santa’s Friend Chimney Service guarantees you will find all easy to use.

Want to know more about why we love top-mounted dampers so much? Contact Santa’s Friend Chimney Service to find out even more advantages to this type of damper.

How a Chimney Cap Keeps Your Chimney Safe

Is your chimney uncapped? Or is your chimney cap cracked or damaged? If you do not have a chimney cap or if your chimney cap is deteriorated, your chimney is at risk for several problems. The purpose of a chimney cap is to protect your chimney’s interior from intruders like water and animals. An important part of your chimney system, your chimney cap serves to keep your chimney safe. At Santa’s Friend Chimney Service, we understand how essential a good chimney cap is for your chimney. We also know the importance of proper installation of a chimney cap, and our expert technicians will provide you with a perfect, customized chimney cap installation. We would like to share with you five reasons why chimney caps are so important, according to a blog on Angie’s List.

1. A chimney cap keeps your chimney safe from water penetration. The main function of a chimney cap is to keep water out of your chimney. One of the best protections from water penetration, a properly fitted cap will keep your chimney dry. Water is the number one enemy of a masonry chimney because of the amount of expensive damage it can do. If water gets into your bricks and mortar, you can end up with spalled bricks and chipped mortar. Water also can eat away at your chimney liner, which puts you at risk for carbon monoxide leaks. Water in your chimney can also cause your damper to rust. Another hazardous possibility is mold growth on your chimney walls.
2. A chimney cap keeps your chimney safe from animal invasions. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other animals like to take up residence in chimneys because they mistake them for hollow trees. However, these animals are fire hazards because their nests are highly flammable. Animals can also get stuck inside your chimney and die, which can produce maggots, flies, and an unpleasant odor in your home. A chimney cap with metal mesh sides will serve to keep these animals from getting into your chimney.
3. A chimney cap can block downdrafts. When the wind blows in a certain direction, it can cause a downdraft in your chimney. Without a chimney cap, a wood-burning fireplace can be negatively affected by a downdraft as it can cause smoke to blow into your home. The reason why chimney caps have flat tops is to help prevent downdrafts caused by the wind.
4. A chimney cap can prevent sparks and embers from leaving the chimney. Some people refer to chimney caps as “spark arrestors” because they stop lit embers and sparks which travel up the chimney. If these sparks and embers jump out of your chimney, they can possibly catch your roof on fire.
5. A chimney cap keeps your chimney safe from a buildup of debris. Without a chimney cap, leaves, branches, twigs, and other debris can get into your chimney and accumulate. These accumulations can become large enough to block your flue, which causes toxic gases to enter your home.

As you can see, a chimney cap is essential to keep your chimney safe from several things. If you need a new chimney cap, contact Santa’s Friend Chimney Service to schedule a consultation with our experienced staff.