Seal the flue with a top damper installed in Mercy Drive
An open flue lets the air you cooled slip away. Call our Mercy Drive team for a free inspection and a top damper that seals.
- Licensed & insured
- Locally run
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
Checked before a top damper is ordered in Mercy Drive
Each item here is checked at your Mercy Drive fireplace and chimney top and written into the estimate you approve.
- Condition of the tile rim where the frame will bond
- Built-in cap, separate cap or no cap
- Plan for the old throat plate, open, fixed or removed
- Flue checked empty of nests and animals first
Top dampers fitted properly in Mercy Drive
The points below shape the damper we recommend in Mercy Drive, and each one appears in your estimate.
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.
The last fire of the evening
That same advice warns against shutting the damper at bedtime while the ashes are still warm. A late fire often means the lid should stay open overnight.
Closing it the next day, once everything is cold, costs nothing but a moment. We put this rule in the written operating notes we leave beside the fireplace, so guests and family see it too. An open flue overnight costs a little warm or cooled air, which is a small price for a safe night.
Working safely at the chimney top
Installing at the top of the flue means the work happens on the roof. Our crew sets ladders and roof access with care and uses fall protection where the roof calls for it.
We also bring what is needed to clean and prepare the tile rim at the top, so the job is done in one trip to the roof wherever possible. The access plan for your roof is explained before the day. Ladder placement and any fall protection are set up before the first tool goes onto the roof.
Closing the flue while the house is empty
If the home sits empty for weeks, an open flue is an easy way in for birds and insects and an easy way for rain to reach the firebox.
With the lid locked closed, the flue stays shut while you are away. We show you how to confirm the lid is locked closed before you leave and how to check it is open when you return and light a fire. Before the first fire after a long absence, a quick look up the flue confirms nothing has moved in.
Other work in Mercy Drive
-
-
-
-
-
-
Learn more about top-sealing damper installationMercy Drive services
Answers about top-sealing dampers for Mercy Drive homeowners
Our family-owned team in Mercy Drive answers the damper questions homeowners raise before booking.
Can a top damper go on a factory-built fireplace?
Only where the fireplace maker lists a damper or termination part for that system. The top dampers we install bond to masonry flue tile. We check your fireplace's documentation and explain what it allows.
Does a top damper need maintenance?
Very little. A yearly check of the gasket, cable, spring and bracket keeps it reliable, and the clamp may need re-setting if the cable stretches. We can do that during a yearly chimney inspection.
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.