Did you know that you have an alternative to a traditional chimney damper? Most homeowners are familiar with throat dampers, which are located just above their fireboxes. While most fireplaces and chimneys have this type of damper, throat dampers actually aren’t the best option for sealing your chimney. If your chimney throat damper isn’t performing the way it should, you should consider installing a top-sealing damper.

The problem with traditional throat dampers

chimney with top sealing damper

Just because chimney throat dampers are the most common dampers doesn’t mean they are ideal. Throat chimney dampers feature a metal-on-metal closure. The dampers are a metal disc or flap that sits inside a metal ring or frame. When the damper closes, the flap sits in place to block off the chimney opening. Because these dampers are metal on metal, air can seep around the edges of the damper flap. On chilly winter days, that can allow warm air from your home to escape around the edges of the chimney flap, which means you waste energy. When cold winds blow, they can blow down your chimney and around the edges of the damper, chilling your home and making it feel drafty.

Over time, throat chimney dampers tend to get worse in terms of performance. The extreme heat from your fireplace can cause the damper to warp. Any moisture that finds its way down the chimney can cause the damper to rust. Warping and rusting can cause gaps around the chimney damper to become more severe. They can even cause the damper to get stuck in place so it won’t open or close at all.

Top-sealing chimney dampers

Top-sealing chimney dampers are the superior choice when it comes to efficiency, durability, and function. They are installed at the top of the chimney flue opening, on the exterior of your home. It has a rubber gasket around the edge that seals completely when the damper is closed. This prevents warm air from rising out of the chimney and cold blasts from finding their way down your chimney and home. The tight seal also prevents moisture from finding its way into your chimney. It will seal out any animals or debris that might accidentally find their way into your chimney. Top-sealing chimney dampers operate as simply as throat dampers, so you won’t notice much of a difference. However, you will see rewards as you lose less heat from your chimney and your chimney securely blocks out cold air, moisture, animals, and debris.

Top-sealing dampers are far superior compared to traditional throat dampers in every way. If you are ready to make your home more efficient, you should seal off your chimney with a top-sealing damper, call Total Chimney Care! We can install a top-sealing damper to make your home more efficient and protect your home and chimney from water damage!