Putting a damper on fireplace drafts

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

December 23, 2004

I read your column on the big freeze ("The big freeze, or farewell, my chilly," Nov. 4) with great interest. I, too, have a fireplace with a terrible draft. I think my problem is that I do not have a damper. I wonder if I can have a damper installed. Right now, all the warm air in our house goes right up the chimney. Where do I turn? -- Michael Gaffey, Malverne

During my investigation into my own fireplace draft, I got some excellent advice from Bob Daniels, who owns Homesaver, an Iowa company that manufacturers all types of energy-saving products for fireplaces and chimneys. In fact, Daniels spoke at length with me about my problem and suggested a lock-top fireplace damper. I think this would help in my situation, but it won't solve the entire problem. Much of my draft is being caused by a poorly insulated chase, or the frame that contains the fireplace and chimney.

In your case, a damper is a must. Visit Homesaver.com to look at two energy-saving dampers, Lock-Top and Lyemance. The Web site also has a search engine that provides a list of area installers.

Another helpful person was Don Chiappetta, who owns Top to Bottom Chimney Cleaners in Suffolk County. You can reach Don, who does install dampers, at 631-499-0072.