Chimney Damper Repair for Fireplaces | Fix Drafts & Improve Safety – Chimney Crickets
Chimney Damper Repair That Restores Fireplace Comfort
A well-functioning chimney damper keeps your home warm and your fireplace efficient. At Chimney Crickets, we’ve offered professional chimney damper repair since 1987. Whether you’re dealing with cold drafts, a jammed flue, or a damper that won’t close properly, our team can help restore comfort and safety to your living space.
Fireplace dampers are often overlooked, yet they play a critical role in airflow, temperature control, and energy efficiency. When they stop working, your fireplace quickly becomes a source of frustration—and high heating bills.
Common Chimney Damper Problems We Fix
Many homeowners don’t realize they have a damper issue until they experience:
-
Cold air drafts blowing through the fireplace
-
Smoke backing up into the room
-
Difficulty opening or closing the damper
-
Rattling or misaligned components
-
Increased heating costs due to heat loss
These symptoms often point to a damper that’s off its hinge, warped, rusted, or broken. If left unaddressed, these issues may also lead to poor chimney performance or exposure to smoke and carbon monoxide.
How a Damper Works in Your Fireplace
A chimney damper acts like a door between the firebox and the chimney flue. When open, it allows smoke and gases to exit the home. Once the fire is out and the flue cools, the damper should be closed to prevent warm indoor air from escaping. A faulty or stuck damper will either leak air or restrict airflow—neither is good.
We service multiple damper types, including:
-
Throat dampers (common in masonry fireplaces)
-
Rotary dampers (found in prefab units)
-
Top-sealing dampers (modern energy-saving upgrades)
If your damper doesn’t fully close or open, or it’s unclear which type you have, our specialists will identify the issue and recommend the right fix.
Why Top-Sealing Dampers Are a Smart Upgrade
Modern chimney top dampers offer several advantages over older throat-style models. They sit at the top of the flue and include a gasketed seal to fully block air, moisture, and even animals. Many homeowners switch to top dampers to eliminate winter drafts and gain better energy efficiency.
Best of all, these dampers are easy to operate. The handle is mounted on the side of the fireplace, so you no longer need to reach into the firebox to check if it’s open or closed.
Serving Minnesota and Wisconsin Homeowners
Chimney Crickets offers chimney damper repair services throughout:
Saint Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Maple Grove, Stillwater, Red Wing, Monticello, and many more cities across Minnesota and western Wisconsin—including Hudson and River Falls.
See our full list of locations for details.
Fix Cold Drafts and Damaged Dampers Today
If your damper doesn’t open or close correctly, it’s more than an inconvenience—it’s a safety and efficiency issue. We can repair or replace any damper style to get your system working as it should.
To learn more about our full range of chimney services—including chimney cleaning, chimney caps, and flue relining—please visit our official website.
Schedule A Session Today