#100: What Chimney Plug Do I Use if I Have a Damper Frame But No Door?

#100: What Chimney Plug Do I Use if I Have a Damper Frame But No Door?

#100: What Chimney Plug Do I Use if I Have a Damper Frame But No Door?

Fireplace #100: Metal Damper Frame, But No Damper Door

These fireplaces with a metal damper frame, but no door are common (image 100-1). Due to moisture and creosote acid, the metal rots away on the door and hardware. This represent a worst-possible-case-scenario as far and heating and cooling loss goes for your home. Once you get this plugged, you will notice an immediate difference.

You take your pick from the chimney plugs we offer. You just need to select the location you want to plug the flue, and measure length and width of that location.

Here are the advantages of each of the chimney plugs we offer:

  • The Flueblocker would install right into the old damper frame opening. So measure the opening, and buy a Flueblocker that is at least that size. If you buy one oversized, you can trim it to fit with sharp scissors. This wool pad offers a tight seal and insulation properties.  This is good if you prefer a fix it and forget it solution. (image 100-3)
  • The Chimney Balloon provides a tight seal and sound buffering capability. It is an inflatable, so it is less durable that the other options. The Chimney Balloon is about 10″ tall when inflated. So you must install it low in the smoke chamber right above the damper frame (image 100-4). It does particularly well at stopping odors and bugs.

What if I see a cable or chain coming down the chimney?

Chimney Top damper cable

100-2: Chimney Top damper cable

If there is a cable or chain coming down your chimney (image 100-2) that is a different kind of application, called a chimney top damper. You should read the article on that fireplace application.

Super Easy Diagram of the Names of the 8 Main Parts of a Fireplace and Chimney?

Super Easy Diagram of the Names of the 8 Main Parts of a Fireplace and Chimney?

So you want to know the names of the parts of a fireplace and chimney?

Just so we have our chimney terminology straight, here is a labeled diagram of the parts of a fireplace and chimney.

This is a list of the names of the parts of a fireplace and chimney:

Ash Chute: A hole in the floor of the firebox that you can sweep ash and burnt debris into. It is often connected to a pocket area below the firebox of in the basement that has an small metal exterior door for removal of fireplace ash.

Crown: The crown of the chimney is the flat surface at the top of the chimney structure. This is also the platform on which the chimney cap sits.

Damper Door: This is a metal door that pivots and open and closes. Sometimes it has a hinge and sometimes it is just a metal flap setting in place by gravity. They can be cast iron or sheet metal. Homeowners often call the damper the “flue” or “flume” but in fact the flue is the hole that the damper is closing off.

Damper Frame: This is the metal frame that is mortared in place and is immovable. The damper door connects against this frame. The frame can be sheet metal or cast iron.

Firebox: This is the open mouth area of the hearth that you put the logs and have the fire.

Flue Tile: This is the area of the chimney where the walls are parallel and the chimney makes a long run to the chimney top. It is often lined with a clay flue tile, or a metal flue liner. Sometimes it is just bare brick.

fireplace fresh air intake parts of a fireplace and chimney

fresh air intake part of a fireplace

Fresh Air Inlet: This is not shown on our diagram, but the left image is a photo of one. This is a vent on the side or back wall of the firebox that vents through the wall to the outside. Fresh air intakes are designed to give the firebox plenty of outside combustion air while you have a fire burning.

Lintel: This is the top lip of the fireplace hearth opening. If you are setting a log in the firebox and you hit your head on the bricks above your head… that is the lintel.