Damper stuck in Arlington Heights, IL
Many homes in Arlington Heights date from the post-WWII boom through the 1970s, and a lot of them have a masonry or prefabricated fireplace with a damper that may not have moved easily in years. If yours will not open, or will not close, it has almost certainly rusted or seized. Rust from an uncapped flue is the usual cause.
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Here is why it happens in this area. Illinois has a long heating season, from about October into April, so the flue works for months. Freeze-thaw cycles, wind-driven rain and snow get in at the crown and the cap, and that water runs down onto the damper. Humid summers then leave moisture trapped in a flue that is rarely used, which speeds up corrosion. A damper stuck open also lets heat leave the house all winter.
While you wait — please don't
- Do not light a fire until you know the damper is open. A fire with a closed or half-closed damper pushes smoke and carbon monoxide into the room.
- Do not force a rusted damper. Forcing it can break the frame, and that turns a damper repair into masonry work.
- Stop using the fireplace if smoke comes into the room. Smoke in the room means the flue is not venting properly, and the fireplace should stay unused until a technician has looked at it.
- Get outside and call 911 if anyone feels unwell. Headache, dizziness, nausea or confusion near a lit fireplace can be signs of carbon monoxide, so leave the house first and call 911.
What the technician does
- You call, we arrange the visitOne Call Chimney is a referral and scheduling service. We arrange an independent sweep or mason for your damper problem. We are not the contractor and we do not do the work.
- The technician inspects firstThey look at the damper, the frame and the flue, and they find out how far the rust has gone. Ask them to show you photos or camera footage of what they find.
- You get the price before work startsThe estimate is free. The technician gives you the price after the inspection, and nothing starts until you approve it. Ask for the reasoning in writing.
- Free it, clean it, re-seat itWhere the damper can be saved, it is freed, cleaned and re-seated. Worn handles, pivots and hardware are replaced.
- Replace it if it is beyond repairIf the throat damper cannot be saved, a top-sealing damper can be fitted. The flue is swept while it is accessible.
- A cap stops it happening againA cap is fitted to keep out the water that rusted the damper in the first place.
Why this happens in Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington Heights is a Chicago northwest suburb, and its mid-century homes often have aging chimneys alongside aging garage doors and ductwork. Most are single-family homes with masonry or prefabricated fireplaces. Older homes closer to downtown may have older chimneys again. Chicago-area clay soils and heavy seasonal temperature swings also add wear to masonry. Whether you are near Downtown Arlington Heights, Arlington Park or the edge of Palatine or Mount Prospect, a stuck damper often points to water getting into the flue from above.
Demand in Arlington Heights rises from late fall through winter, when cold snaps send people to the fireplace for the first time in months. That is often when a seized damper is found. Spring and summer storms with high winds and hail can also damage a chimney top. Masonry repairs are usually done in the warmer months, when mortar can cure without freezing. If your damper is stuck, it is worth getting it looked at before the next cold stretch.
Questions people ask
- Why is my damper stuck in Arlington Heights?
- Rust is the usual cause, and it usually starts when water gets down an uncapped flue. Arlington Heights has frequent freeze-thaw cycles and humid summers, which make that worse. The technician can confirm the cause when they inspect it.
- Is it safe to use the fireplace if the damper will not close?
- A damper stuck open is mostly a heat-loss problem, but you should still check the flue is clear before any fire. If it will not open, do not light a fire at all. Never light a fire unless you have confirmed the damper is open.
- Can I just force the damper open?
- It is better not to. Forcing a rusted damper can break the frame and turn a simple repair into masonry work. Let the technician look at it first.
- Will the work need a permit in Arlington Heights?
- In Illinois, permits are issued locally. They are commonly needed for relining or rebuilding a chimney, while routine sweeping and basic inspection generally are not permitted work. For damper work, ask the local building department before work begins.
- Does my condo or townhome have a different process?
- Arlington Heights has condo and townhome complexes that often have HOAs. If you live in one, check your association's rules about exterior work such as a chimney cap. The technician can explain what the damper repair involves.
One call
Call (866) 576-7943 and One Call Chimney will arrange an independent technician for your Arlington Heights damper. The estimate is free, and you approve the price before any work starts.
More from One Call Chimney
Something else in this area
- Smoke comes back into the room
- Never been swept
- Water coming in
- Something living up there
- Smells of smoke or damp
- Cracked crown or crumbling brick
- Liner damaged or missing
- Rebuild or new chimney
One Call Chimney arranges the visit; the technician does the work and gives you the price.