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Chimney & Fireplaces/Rotary-Style Control for damper

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Expert: - 6/21/2010


Question
Hi Randy,

I have a masonry fireplace with an all brick front. The fireplace has a damper that is connected to a Rotary-style control handle (I think it is made by vestal becomes it look the same as one that I have seen on web sites) that sticks out through the brick. By turning the handle I open and close the damper. I'm planning on re-facing the fireplace and installing stone veneer. By adding this extra layer, the damper handle becomes too short. How can I extend the handle in order to make it appear through the stone? Does the damper control mechanism allow for re-adjustment? OR would I have to put a new control? If new control where can I buy it from? Otherwise do you have the instructions on to extend/remove the control?

Another option would be to replace the damper control and instead of sticking through the stone veneer, change it to something more hidden (Maybe inside the fireplace)? Is there such products?

Your help is much appreciated, Thank you.
Jacob

Answer
Jacob,

Yes, the new damper idea is what I would suggest. The old damper control sounds more like a cork screw style than a rotary but non the less I believe that top quite old and you would do well to replace it. Google "Lymance Dampers", Or just top mount fireplace dampers and you will find several options. In Canada, I recommend you contract with a WETT certified chimney sweep and have your system inspected as well. Best of luck to you.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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