The first and most crucial step for a successful fire is ensuring that the chimney damper is open. While many people refer to the damper as the flue, it’s important to note that the damper is the mechanism controlling whether the flue is open or closed.
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Meanwhile, if you want to learn how to check if your chimney damper is open, follow the steps below:
1. Locate the Damper Handle
The first step is to find your damper, typically located in the throat of the fireplace just above the firebox. It’s usually controlled by a handle or a pull chain. When the damper is open, the handle will generally be pulled up, or if it’s a lever, it will be in an upward position.
If you don’t see a handle, check around the chimney area for a small latch or door.
The mechanism may vary by design, but it’s often easy to spot once you know where to look.
2. Feel for a Draft
Stand in front of your fireplace and hold your hand a few inches from the opening of the flue. If the chimney flue is open, you should feel a cool draft of air coming down the chimney. If the air is stagnant or warm, it may indicate that the damper is closed or partially shut. This method gives you a quick idea of what you’re dealing with.
3. Listen for Sounds
When the flue is open, you may hear air moving through the chimney, especially if there’s a noticeable temperature difference outside. Sometimes, the flue will make a soft whooshing sound when it’s fully open, and air flows freely through the system. If you don’t hear anything or hear a hissing sound, the damper might not be open all the way.
4. Test the Draft with Newspaper
Burn a small piece of newspaper and hold it high in the firebox. Cold chimneys typically have a natural downdraft, so you might see the smoke move in a circular motion and get drawn up into the chimney. If the smoke lingers or drifts back into your living room, this indicates that the flue isn’t fully open, and you may need to adjust the damper.
Why It’s Important to Know if Your Chimney Flue is Open
Making sure your chimney damper is open before starting a fire is critical for safety. A closed or partially closed damper can create hazardous conditions, including fire risks, carbon monoxide buildup, and inefficient burning.
