All About Top-Sealing Dampers
If you own a fireplace, you know how wonderfully cozy it can be to sit in front of a crackling fire and enjoy the glow of the firelight. You also know the headaches that come when you don’t keep it clean and functioning properly. At Top Hat & Tails we want our customers to experience the very best of what a healthy fireplace has to offer. A top-sealing chimney damper can help you keep your chimney in top shape, giving you a top-notch experience every time you light a fire in your fireplace.
What Is a Top-Sealing Damper?
A top-sealing damper is a device that sits on top of the chimney and seals it off when your fireplace is not in use to prevent drafts and other unwanted debris from entering the system and your home. These devices do this better than a traditional throat damper, which sits inside near the bottom of the chimney.
How does it work?
A top-sealing damper works by sealing off the top of the chimney with a rubber or silicone gasket. This gasket creates an airtight seal that prevents cold air from coming down the chimney and warm air from escaping. In addition, top-sealing dampers have a lever or a chain that allows you to open and close the damper from inside your home.
7 Advantages of a Top-Sealing Damper
✓ Keeps the Chimney Warmer When Not in Use
One of the biggest advantages of a top-sealing damper is that it helps to keep your chimney warmer when not in use. Traditional throat dampers sit inside the chimney and allow cold air to come down the chimney and into your home. This can make your home feel drafty and colder than it actually is. A top-sealing damper allows you to seal off the chimney completely and prevent this cold air from entering your chimney and your home.
The temperature of your chimney matters when lighting and establishing a fire. A cold chimney makes a fire harder to start and the cold air will often keep smoke from rising through it to the outside. A warm chimney gives your fire a head start.
✓ Reduces Downdrafts
Another advantage of a top-sealing damper is that it can help to reduce downdrafts. When wind blows across your roof, it can create a negative pressure that sucks air down your chimney and into your home. This can make your home feel drafty and can also cause smoke to blow back into your home when you’re using your fireplace.
With a top-sealing damper, you can seal off the chimney completely and prevent this wind from blowing down the chimney. This can help to keep your home more comfortable and prevent smoke from entering your home.
✓ Seals Tighter
A top-sealing damper also seals tighter than a traditional throat damper. Traditional throat dampers can become warped over time and may not seal off the chimney completely. A damper in your chimney is no good if it’s not doing its job. With a top-sealing damper, you can create an airtight seal that prevents any air from coming in or out of your chimney.
✓ Works With the Chimney Cap to Keep Out Unwanted Debris and Animals
A top-sealing damper works in conjunction with a chimney cap to keep out unwanted debris and animals. The chimney cap sits on top of the chimney and helps to prevent rain, snow, and debris from entering the chimney. The top-sealing damper then seals off the chimney completely, preventing insects and animals from entering and building nests inside the chimney.
✓ Improves Energy Efficiency
By sealing off the chimney completely, a top-sealing damper can also help to improve your home’s energy efficiency. When warm air escapes through the chimney, it can cause your heating system to work harder to keep your home warm. This can lead to higher energy bills and can put unnecessary strain on your heating system.
By sealing off the chimney with a top-sealing damper, you can prevent warm air from escaping and reduce the workload on your heating system. This will help to lower your energy bills and make your home more energy-efficient.
✓ Saves Money on Repairs
Speaking of lower energy bills, by creating a tight seal that keeps downdrafts at bay and keeps your chimney warm, top-sealing dampers have shown time and again that they are champions at lowering the cost of keeping your home warm. The cost advantages go beyond energy saving too. A top-sealing chimney damper can also help to prevent costly repairs.
Animals in search of a warm, dry place to build nests will sometimes make their home inside the chimney. This can lead to blockages and other issues. Debris can also build up inside the chimney, which can create a fire hazard. These issues can cause considerable damage inside your chimney which can mean paying for repairs that could be avoided with a top-sealing damper.
✓ Easy to Use
Finally, a top-sealing damper is just easy to use. With a lever or chain that allows you to open and close the damper from inside your home, you don’t have to climb up on your roof to close off the chimney. This can make using your fireplace energy efficient and more convenient.
We’re Committed to Keeping You Safer
A top-sealing damper is a valuable addition to any fireplace. Top Hat & Tails is committed to the satisfaction of our customers which is why we provide the best fireplace and chimney care that you can find in Northern and North Central New Jersey. Our fully trained and highly qualified team of chimney technicians work hard to make sure our community is able to experience all the beauty and joy a fireplace can bring to a home.
Give us a call today at 973-450-1947 or book online to schedule your top-sealing damper installation. Your chimney, fireplace, home, and energy bill will thank you.
