Seal the flue with a top damper installed in Alafaya
Built-in cap or separate cap, square or round flue, our Alafaya pros explain the choice before a single part is ordered.
- Licensed & insured
- Locally run
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
Damper details we put in writing in Alafaya
Your Alafaya estimate spells out these items, so it can be set beside any other quote.
- Screen opening size and open area where a cap is fitted
- Crown or tile rim repair, priced separately
- Flue checked empty of nests and animals first
- Sweep before installation, if the flue needs it
Top damper installation, step by step, for Alafaya homes
The points below shape the damper we recommend in Alafaya, and each one appears in your estimate.
Fireplaces with no working damper
Some fireplaces have lost their damper plate entirely, or have a plate that no longer moves at all. The flue then stays open to the house around the clock, whether the fireplace is used or not.
Fitting a top-sealing damper can give that flue a working closure again. We check the flue top, the crown and the firebox walls where the bracket would go, then write up the damper, the mounting and the handle location as one clear proposal. If the throat area shows damage of its own, such as loose brick, that is noted separately so you can decide on it.
The adhesive bead that holds the frame
Top dampers are usually glued to the tile with the maker's high-temperature adhesive. The Lock-Top instructions call for a 1/4 inch bead of the supplied adhesive around the top of the opening, the damper centered and pressed down firmly, and any gaps filled for a proper seal.
We follow the instructions for the model you choose, which is why the product is named in your estimate. A continuous bead with no gaps is what keeps rain and air from sneaking under the frame. The bead is checked all the way around before the damper is left to cure.
Mounting the handle bracket
The handle is held by a bracket fixed to the firebox wall. The Lock-Top instructions put it near the front of the fireplace, roughly 20 inches up from the firebox floor, fastened with anchors set in holes drilled in the firebrick.
We set the bracket where the handle is easy to reach, easy to see and away from where the fire burns. The exact location is agreed with you before any drilling, so it suits how you use the fireplace. If the firebrick is cracked where the bracket would go, a sound spot nearby is chosen instead.
The handover walkthrough
Before we leave, we release the handle, check the lid opens fully, pull it closed, lock it and confirm the seal. Then we hand the controls to you and watch you do the same.
We also explain the adhesive cure time, what happens to the old throat plate and what to look for over the coming months. Questions after the visit are welcome, and the same family team answers them. If you were not home for the install, we arrange a short walkthrough at a time that suits you.
Other work in Alafaya
-
-
-
-
-
-
Learn more about top-sealing damper installationAlafaya services
Before your damper installation in Alafaya
Questions that come up on damper visits in Alafaya, answered plainly.
Do I have to open the top damper every time?
Yes. The damper must be opened before every fire by releasing the handle so the lid lifts. We show you how to check that it is open before lighting.
Can you fix the gasket or cable on my existing top damper?
Often, yes, when the maker still supplies the parts. We identify your model and quote the repair next to a replacement so you can choose.
Request your free estimate
Share the job details and arrange a free inspection with our local team.
- Free inspection
- No hidden fees
- Family owned and operated
Need an answer now? Call (352) 675-6376
Your request is received
Thank you. We will contact you to discuss the job and confirm an appointment.