Basic Home Improvements : How to Work a Fireplace Damper

When working a fireplace damper, be sure to use pliers or an oven mitt in case the metal is hot. Make sure the damper is working properly with tips from a licensed remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvements.

Expert: Tim Gipson
Bio: Tim Gipson is a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in Franklin, Tenn.
Filmmaker: Tim Brown

Series Description: Doing basic home improvements is a great way to learn new skills and save money. Consider putting in a pond or fountain to a yard with tips from a licensed remodeling contractor in this free video series on home improvements.

[OnePlanetLife]

Great how-to video, thanks a lot. And also thanks to Kevin Knapp, learning that the damper's lever is also a control to fully open or partially open when fireplace is in use. But one thing I finally know is when it's not in use, the lever should be switched completely to the left to fully close the damper.
Thanks again to both of your DIY.

[survivingsilverbay]

Great! I have to rewind the video back to the beginning be iam commenting!

[rsport]

My damper has 3 positions, open, close, halve open. What is the semi-open position for?

[kimberlystinson]

Thanks Tim I tried to use my fireplace and yes smoke was every where!!!! We had to throw water to put it out. Thank God no chemicals!!!! I didn't know until I watch your video and my son and I found my damper I will try it again but not now still a little shock!!!

[kevinknapp]

You totally ignored the fact that the damper is also used to regulate the efficiency of the burn once a good fire has been established. Leave your damper fully open while burning and you won't be able to throw the wood on fast enough. A regulated damper will increase your fireplace efficiency 10 fold and make your wood burn slower and longer yielding a better more complete burn.

[brendavasquez]

What is the lever on the left side of the fireplace for?

[Stewie-thlt]

How do I know which position is OPEN and which position is CLOSED?

[IAmJeka]

I have two handles. I think one opens the top of the chimney but not sure what way. I rent. Any advice?

[blobs]

What about the lovers that are on the bottom of the fireplace and they slide in towards each other and away from each other is that what the levers are on the fireplace that we have?

[survivingsilverbay]

There's about 100 thousand dad's watching this hard as a cold rock right now!!!!

[suddysalgado]

What type of lever is this? And do they sell replacements? Mine is broke …

[chelseacisneros]

So my flue is open (I even moved it which definitely closed it because even more smoke came in) and I’ve done both a cheap clean and a deep clean and smoke is still coming in from my fireplace. Not gas.

What’s my next step?

[jimmyjames]

Wait so does the damper need to be open if a fire is lit, always?

[michaelroberts]

You didn't tell me the proper settings on how big of a fire or anything else

[allanweir]

what I need is to have some one tell me how to fix the screw that move the damper it turn but is not count necked

[nolongerhuman]

I appreciate the video, but as somebody knew to fireplaces, you did not show how to use it you explained what the function was, but you have to put the camera inside and chill people if it’s got the twisty one or if it’s got the one with the notches in it, how you have to push it and set it to all the way and what it’s for then you could also use the poker to do it because there’s a hole inside that round handle so you don’t have to stick your hand in the fire. I’m going to make a fire fire marshal bill video because I’ve burned all my hands off and I’m using my nose to take this video now because you forgot to tell me, lol he forgot to tell me that I have to push the damper and said it into a locked position and how open it should be. I’m going to sue, to see how she’s doing Susan what were you thinking? Geez geez M ‘crow.

[rebeccawhite]

You need to show people what the damper handle looks like, and how to push it back to close and towards them to open . You just talked the whole time with no instruction on how to actually do it.

[shantelleadeline]

I can make it myself. Just got instructions from woodprix website and I'm ready for do it :D

[Lupend]

Video was boring so I stopped listening, now I have a hole in my roof