Expert: Paul Karthaeuser - 12/19/2011

Question
I just had a wood burner removed from my fireplace and discovered I had a functioning heatilator damper but the handle is missing. the chimney technician could not find the model number. do you know how I can source another handle?  The house was built in the 70's so I presume it would be a model from that era.

Answer
Julia,

I am assuming we are talking about a factory built fireplace? The name Heatilator gets thrown about just like Kleenex does for tissues.  There are fireplaces that are called Heatilators that are actually steel form circulating fireplaces and are of masonry and steel construction as opposed to the all steel and metal chimney pipe constructed factory built fireplaces.

If the fireplace was installed in the 70's the first thing I would do before spending any money on a damper handle or assembly is have the system inspected thoroughly especially if you had just had an insert removed.  Just FYI there are real concerns with the fact that there was an insert installed in your fireplace to begin with if it is in fact a factory built fireplace as this is not an approved installation and there may have been other alterations made to your fireplace in order to accommodate the insert installation.  In other words other original components to the fireplace may have been removed rendering it unsafe to use going back to a regular fireplace configuration.  I cannot stress the importance of specifically a Level II inspection.  That is what you want to request from the company you call to inspect it and be sure that they are certified in fireplace and chimney inspection.  Ask for their credentials as unfortunately there is no requirement for any type of certification in this profession and the companies that have had their employees trained as Inspectors are going to be the ones with real professionals in this field.

Please feel free to ask any follow up questions or send me any pictures you like that you think might help.  Thank you.

Paul