#51: I Have a Long Rectangular Center-Pivot Damper with Chains Hanging Down. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#51: I Have a Long Rectangular Center-Pivot Damper with Chains Hanging Down. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#51: I Have a Long Rectangular Center-Pivot Damper with Chains Hanging Down. How Do I Plug the Flue?

Fireplace #51: Long Rectangle Center-Pivot Damper with Chains

These long center-pivot (butterfly) rectangular dampers are rare. They are usually in custom masonry fireplaces of solid construction brick or stone. They come in a variety of sizes. These are their characteristics of the long rectangle butterfly chain dampers:

  • They have a long rectangular damper door that pivots on a center shaft. (image 51-1 and 51-2)
  • The door is opened and closed by a pair of chains attached to the face of the damper door (image 51-3). They hang down on the left and right side of the firebox.
  • The damper frame is narrow and the damper pivots on a center shaft. When the damper is open there is very little access to the smoke shelf or flue tile above the damper (image 51-4).
  • There is usually 2″ to 9″ of uninterrupted vertical space under the damper before the lintel opens to the room.

Because of the limited access above the damper. We will focus on products that install below the damper.

The Flueblocker is a durable option

51-6 Where to Measure for a Flueblocker

The Flueblocker is the best solution for this application, since the chains below the damper door can easily be pressed to the side of the firebox. Here is how a Flueblocker is installed:

  • Measure the wall to wall area left to right, and front to back below the damper (see yellow arrows in image 51-6). Then buy a Flueblocker that is a few inches bigger. If it is a really large area you may have to contact us for a custom size quote.
  • Tuck the Flueblocker into the area you had measured. If it is over-sized, it may bow upward a bit from the pressure fit, or you can trim it to fit with sharp scissors.
  • Remove the Flueblocker before you have a fire.

 

 

What about the Chimney Balloon?

51-7 Looking Up At a Chimney Balloon Below a Chain Damper

51-7 Looking Up At a Chimney Balloon Below a Chain Damper

You can use a Chimney Balloon to plug the wall to wall area below a damper like this. There has to be at least 9″ of vertical space below the damper to fit the balloon in (image 51-7). Measure wall to wall left to right and front to back below the damper and buy a Chimney Balloon that is slightly larger than that. For example, if you measure 34×13 then buy a 36×15 Chimney Balloon. When you inflate the Chimney Balloon in place it may bulge below the lintel a bit and be visible from the room. The Chimney Balloon will require a top-off of air each 6 to 12 months, and it is not quite as durable as non-inflatable plugs. So consider it a “Plan B” for this application.

#28: I Have a Large Rectangular Damper that Pivots in the Middle. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#28: I Have a Large Rectangular Damper that Pivots in the Middle. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#28: I Have a Large Rectangular Damper that Pivots in the Middle. How Do I Plug the Flue?

Fireplace #28: Rectangle center-pivot butterfly damper

These high-up  center pivot rectangular dampers are not very common, and are usually on the two-sided fireplaces that have large fireboxes. Here are some of their characteristics:

  • The damper is set over 2 feet above the firebox.
  • The rectangular damper is almost as wide as it is long.
  • There is rigid damper hardware below the damper to actuate the opening of the door.
  • The smoke chamber narrows to a flue tile above the damper.

These fireplaces usually require a large square or rectangle custom made Flueblocker that is installed right above the firebox, and below the damper hardware. If you have this application call 608-467-0229 and talk with technical support. We will have you take a few measurements, and we can give you a quote and lead time on a custom Flueblocker.

#1: I Have a Round Butterfly Damper High Above the Firebox. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#1: I Have a Round Butterfly Damper High Above the Firebox. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#1: I Have a Round Butterfly Damper High Above the Firebox. How Do I Plug the Flue?

Fireplace #1: Butterfly Damper 3 Feet above the Firebox

These high-up butterfly center pivot dampers are usually in prefabricated zero clearance fireplaces made by Heatelator.  Here are the characteristics:

  • The damper handle that opens the circular center pivot damper is usually on the outside lintel face of the fireplace.
  • You will notice that there are horizontal slats cut in the sheet metal just below the closed damper.

Those vent slats below the round damper gives you a pretty good place to tuck in a square Flueblocker. Measure the area below the damper (Image 1-3), and buy a Flueblocker that is a little larger than that area. Most of the time it requires a 12″x12″ Flueblocker, or a 16″x16″ trimmed down to fit. Just make sure you keep that pressure fit by having the pad be larger than the hole.

 

Because this install location is up out of reach, you will likely need to buy some extra 6″ Handle Extenders for your Flueblocker.