Interior Issues

​In many cases the firebox in a fireplace can start to show signs of wear with either missing or loose mortar joints or by completely missing brick. This type of damage is usually caused by water leaching into the chimney from the exterior. 

The joints can be either missing or sometimes dry rotted in which they simply turn to powder. Either way it makes the fireplace unsafe to use

The most common issue with dampers is damper plates that simply come out of track. There are several different types of dampers but 80-90% are throat dampers that flip out of place do to homeowner "operator errors"

The firebox joints much like the exterior joints can be tuck pointed. The thing to remember though is the mortar between these joints is not actually mortar but fireclay. Fireclay has a much higher heat value than mortar.

Regular mortar if used will fail and fall out, where clay will hold much longer. If you want to repair the joint just do the following.

1. With a screw driver or pointed tool scrape out all the loose joint material.
2. With a shop vac, suck all the loose debris and dust from the joint.
3. You can purchase fireplace mortar in a silicone type tube from your local home supply store or even find it here.
4. Load the tube into a standard silicone gun and carefully squeeze the mortar into the joint and smooth it off.

Damper issues are more complicated do to the many types of dampers.

Poker Control

 Common Issues:

The most common issue in a poker style is when a damper plate jumps its track or flips over.

  Repair:

 The damper plate itself sits in a small groove at the bottom of the frame.  

 Correct operation of the poker requires a slight amount of pressure pulled

  forward on the poker handle. This disengages the teeth on the poker from

 its catch. Sometimes if a person pulls to hard or pushes it will create

 leverage pulling the plate out of its groove or lifting it up causing it to flip

 over.

 The repair is as simple as getting a flash light and correcting the placement of the damper. The bottom edge should sit in the groove of the damper frame as illustrated in the top picture.

Rotary Control

Common Issues:

The handle which is normally on the fireplace face will just turn and the damper will not open.

The handle when turned either sticks or will not turn at all

Repair:

If the handle just turns freely chances are the set screw needs tightened or is stripped. The set screw attaches the handle to the operating rod. If it is not tight it will not allow the operating rod to turn so the gear will open the damper frame.

If it sticks or does not turn at all it could be a couple things. If it sticks rust may have developed somewhere in the gear assembly. So some  WD-40 sprayed onto the gear assembly should do the trick. If it does not turn at all it could be rusted completely OR the worm can be bent from heat damage. Inspect the rod and the worm to see if rust is present or if the worm is bent at all.

A professional following essentially the same procedures will create a much cleaner and "professional" appearance. 

The  professional will be able to repair or replace and broken or missing parts of a poker or rotary style damper control. They can also provide options for 3rd party dampers that fit not he top of the chimney and close off all air flow completely.

If you have questions for our professional staff or would like to schedule professional service.Please Call (814) 897-5817