The damper is stuck

What has probably happened

• Rust, from years of moisture coming down an uncapped flue.
• Creosote and debris jamming the plate.
• A broken handle, pivot or chain.
• Warping from heat, so it no longer sits in its frame.
• Masonry movement has shifted the damper frame itself.

What the technician does

• Damper freed, cleaned and re-seated where it is salvageable.
• Handles, pivots and hardware replaced.
• A top-sealing damper fitted where the throat damper is beyond repair — it seals better and keeps the weather out.
• The flue swept while it is accessible, since debris is often the cause.
• A cap fitted to stop the water that rusted it in the first place.

Questions people ask

How do I check whether it is open?

With the fire out and the firebox cold, look up with a torch. You should see daylight or an open plate. Feeling the handle is not proof — handles move without the plate moving.

Is a top-sealing damper worth it?

If your throat damper has failed, usually yes. It seals at the top of the flue with a gasket, so it stops draughts and smells far better, and it doubles as a cap.

Can I just leave it open?

You can, and you will feel it on the heating bill. An open damper is a permanent hole between your living room and the sky.