The chimney damper is a small component with an outsized impact on your home's energy efficiency and comfort. Most Long Island homeowners do not give their damper a second thought until cold air starts pouring through the firebox on a January night, but by that point, the failed damper has already been leaking conditioned air for seasons.
Traditional throat dampers are made of cast iron or steel and are located just above the firebox opening. When new, they close with a reasonably tight seal and can help reduce fireplace odors and smells when closed. Over time, Long Island's wet, corrosive climate causes the metal to warp, the seating surfaces to corrode, and the damper to no longer close fully. Many throat dampers in homes built in the 1970s and 1980s in communities like Massapequa, Levittown, Babylon, Bay Shore, Smithtown, and Commack have been leaking air for years without the homeowner realizing it.
The damper cap combo represents a significant upgrade over the traditional throat design. Installed at the very top of the chimney, the damper cap combo creates an airtight seal from the top of the flue when closed, cutting air infiltration to near zero. It opens via a stainless steel cable that hangs inside the firebox, making it easy to operate and easy to see whether it is open or closed. The damper cap combo also eliminates the need for a separate chimney cap, since the closed damper performs that same weather and animal exclusion function.
Capstone Chimney & Masonry installs damper cap combos throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County. Our preferred models are made from high-gauge stainless steel and come with multi-year warranties. We also install and replace traditional throat dampers where that configuration is preferred or required by the chimney's design. Throat dampers remain a good option when the primary concern is reducing fireplace odors, as they seal closer to the firebox opening.
A properly functioning damper also improves fireplace safety. An open damper is essential during fireplace use to allow combustion gases to vent properly. Homeowners who have difficulty controlling their fire or experience smoke spillage sometimes discover the root cause is a damper stuck in an intermediate position. Our installation service includes a full inspection of the firebox and smoke chamber to identify any other issues that may be affecting fireplace performance.
Whether you are replacing a failed throat damper, upgrading to a damper cap combo, or simply want to know what shape your current damper is in, contact Capstone Chimney & Masonry at (631) 449-3086. We serve all of Long Island and offer free estimates for chimney damper installation and replacement throughout Nassau and Suffolk County.