Expert: James Ball - 11/11/2008

Question
James,  

I live in a 1920's bungalow with a masonry fireplace.  The original throat
damper plate/door is gone (removed/broken sometime prior to me
purchasing the home).  My wife and I enjoy having fires, and the fireplace
drafts extremely well.  We have also had the chimney inspected/swept as
required.

However, after the heat loss and smell during last winter, I decided to add a
top sealing damper (lyemance).  The flue opening at the chimney top is 8x8,
and I installed an 8x8 lyemance...

Since installing the top sealing damper, we are having smoke problems... I
have even checked the chimney top during burning, and the door is open and
a strong draft is pulling through...  

I'm having a hard time believing that the minimal area restriction from the
top sealing damper is the culprit... any comment?  

At this point I'd prefer to replace the throat damper plate... where can I find a
match to my screw type/center hinging throat damper???

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Answer
Hello Ed, 8X8 is not a very big flue for a fireplace, maybe extending the top of the chimney 2-6', to replace the damper would require you to rip out the from of the fire place, remove the old and install the new.you might also want to try moving the fire grate up on bricks to lift it closer to the damper area, and keep it as far back as possible.
good luck and keep me posted
James