{"id":2787,"date":"2019-03-04T11:00:42","date_gmt":"2019-03-04T17:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/?p=2787"},"modified":"2026-06-16T07:48:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T12:48:30","slug":"heres-why-need-fix-broken-fireplace-damper-asap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/chimney\/heres-why-need-fix-broken-fireplace-damper-asap\/","title":{"rendered":"Here&#8217;s Why You Need to Fix That Broken Fireplace Damper ASAP"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-2788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Individuals_iStock_000015921509_XXXLarge_800x533-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Individuals_iStock_000015921509_XXXLarge_800x533-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Individuals_iStock_000015921509_XXXLarge_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Individuals_iStock_000015921509_XXXLarge_800x533.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Now that we are in the midst of the winter season, it is a good time to think about any fireplace repairs that have to be made. We still have a couple more months of cold weather ahead of us before we can enjoy some warmth, so any repairs that need to be made now, should. Of course, when it comes to your fireplace, safety is a priority, so it is best to contact a professional right away if you notice\u00a0any signs of an issue.<\/p>\n<p>A broken fireplace damper needs to be repaired as soon as possible. If it is sealed shut, smoke can quickly back up into your home. When it is working properly, the damper should be able to open and close when you need it to, however, sometimes it can get stuck in either position. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this happens, you need to hire a professional fireplace technician right away to address <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/chimney-repair\/when-to-call-for-repairs-your-damper-is-stuck\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a dangerously stuck fireplace damper<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> right away. <\/span> In case you aren&#8217;t yet convinced, we have listed a number of reasons why you need to repair that faulty damper now. Keep reading below to learn more. <!--more--><\/p>\n<h2>The Problem<\/h2>\n<h3>The Damper Won&#8217;t Open<\/h3>\n<p>When it is working properly, the damper should effectively trap the air and heat in your home, keeping it from moving out through the fireplace. And when you want to use the fireplace, the damper needs to be opened to properly vent out smoke from the fireplace.<\/p>\n<p>When the damper is sealed shut, there is no safe way to use your fireplace, as smoke will quickly fill up inside your home. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is better to schedule <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/chimney-repair\/chimney-damper-installation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expert chimney damper replacement services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as soon as possible to restore safe fireplace function.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Damper Won&#8217;t Shut<\/h3>\n<p>The opposite problem of a sealed damper is a damper that won&#8217;t close. Although this issue does not pose any safety threats to you or your family while using the fireplace, it does significantly reduce your home&#8217;s energy efficiency, causing heating and cooling bills to skyrocket depending on the time of the year.<\/p>\n<p>Conditioned air from your heating or cooling system will escape through your fireplace chimney when the damper is unable to close, making it quite difficult for your heater or air conditioner to do its job. Plus, it could leave you a bit uncomfortable if it happens during the coldest or hottest time of the year. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call for repairs or consider <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/chimney-repair\/top-mounted-energy-efficient-dampers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high-performance chimney damper upgrades<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as soon as possible if this happens.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>The Resolution<\/h2>\n<p>If your damper is either stuck open or sealed shut, the best thing you can do is contact a professional fireplace technician right away. Typically, the issue can be resolved by cleaning up the dirt that has made the valve stick. Often, this issue is a result of a larger problem, so it is recommended to have your entire chimney cleaned.<\/p>\n<p>Over time, creosote\u00a0build-up due to dirt, debris, and soot can become problematic, as it is very flammable.\u00a0You should scheduling <a href=\"\/service-areas\/st-paul-mn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chimney cleaning in St. Paul, MN<\/a> annually to avoid the problems associated with this tar-like substance, keeping your family and your home safe.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Question: What does a fireplace damper do?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A fireplace damper helps control airflow inside the chimney by opening to allow smoke to exit and closing to prevent outside air from entering when the fireplace is not in use. A properly functioning damper also improves energy efficiency and helps maintain safer fireplace operation throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question: What are the signs of a broken fireplace damper?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Common signs include difficulty opening or closing the damper, smoke entering the room, drafts coming through the fireplace, unusual odors, or visible rust and damage. A faulty damper can affect ventilation and make it harder for the fireplace to operate efficiently and safely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question: Why should a damaged fireplace damper be repaired quickly?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A broken fireplace damper can lead to energy loss, moisture problems, poor indoor air quality, and unsafe fireplace performance. Delaying repairs may also allow water, debris, or cold air into the chimney system, which can contribute to additional chimney damage over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question: Can a faulty damper increase heating and cooling costs?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Yes, if the damper does not seal properly, warm indoor air can escape during winter while outside air enters the home. This forces heating and cooling systems to work harder, potentially increasing energy bills and reducing overall indoor comfort throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question: Should I repair or replace my fireplace damper?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The best solution depends on the extent of the damage and the condition of the chimney system. Minor issues may only require repairs, while severely rusted or damaged dampers may need full replacement. A professional chimney inspection can help determine the safest and most cost-effective option.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>For all your chimney and fireplace needs,<a href=\"\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> contact the team at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A broken fireplace damper needs to be repaired as soon as possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[95],"tags":[73,372,200],"class_list":["post-2787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chimney","tag-chimney-cleaning","tag-fireplace-damper","tag-st-paul"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2787"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4413,"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2787\/revisions\/4413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}