Chimney Flue Damper - How to Install Chimney Flue Damper Step-By-Step

Installing a lock top chimney damper can be a great way to prevent any energy leakage from your home caused by a chimney. Chimneys can be a major factor in losing heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. If you currently have a throat damper in your chimney, which many homes do, it can still leak energy. Throat dampers do not have a gasket, making it so the damper can never be 100% closed. A lock top chimney damper has a gasket at the top of the chimney to ensure an air tight seal every time. Lock top chimney dampers also act as a rain cap, keeping rain and critters out of your chimney. Lock top chimney dampers are economical and are designed for any do-it-yourself homeowner to install.

Take these steps and you will know how to seal off your chimney today. This link shows a wide variety of top locking dampers. http://www.rockfordchimneysupply.com/dampers.php. Stop the drafty chimney.  Heating and cooling gets expensive; a top lock chimney damper can pay for itself in no time.

Warning: Top lock chimney dampers should not be used with gas log fireplaces.

When you purchase a top lock chimney damper, it comes with 30' wire cable, allen wrench, 2 anchor nails, mounting bracket, and tube of silicone cement. Tools you will need are a drill with 1/4" masonry drill bit, hammer, and wire cutters.

Start by puncturing the tube of silicone with the cap, and spread a 1/4" bead of silicone around the top of the chimney flue.

Lower the wire cable into the chimney. Make sure that the cable does not kink and get tangled while being inserting down the flue. Firmly place the chimney damper on the top of the silicone filled top of the flue. Make sure that the damper is centered on the flue and the entire flue is covered by the damper. Fill any remaining gaps with silicone.

Locate the mounting bracket. Measure 20" from the floor of the fire box, and mark where the two holes of the mounting bracket are going to be on the wall of the fire box. Take your drill and 1/4" masonry drill bit and pre-drill 2 holes on the wall of the firebox for the anchor nails.

Take the 2 anchor nails and place them through the mounting bracket in the pre-drilled holes you made in the fire box. Then, take the hammer and drive them in.

Thread the chain handle and cable through the mounting bracket. Locate the brass adjustment clamp. With the allen wrench, loosen the adjustment clamp. Pull the slack of the cable through the adjustment clamp, then pull the cable until the damper is fully closed. Position the adjustment clamp under the mounting bracket and with the allen wrench tighten the clamp until it is firm. Take your wire cutters and snip and discard the excess cable. Pull the cable tight and secure the chain under the mounting clamp.

Congratulations, you have successfully installed a top lock chimney damper. Simply pull the chain away from the adjustment clamp and the damper will open when you are ready to have a fire. You are now free from losing energy.

Warning: Lock top chimney dampers should not be used with gas log fireplaces.