Passaic County, New Jersey
Chimney Damper, Cap and Fireplace Cleaning in Wanaque, NJ
In Wanaque we installed a damper cap and cleaned two fireplaces. Here is why a top-sealing damper is a common chimney upgrade.
Dr. Sweeper has completed a project in Wanaque, Passaic County: the installation of a damper cap and the cleaning of two fireplaces. The job combined chimney-top hardware with maintenance. It is shown below.
Wanaque's housing is a mix. The Census finds about 58% detached houses and 78% owner-occupied, with a median build year of 1963 and about 30% of homes built before 1950. The ACS median home value is about $401,000.
With two fireplaces in one job, the question of how each one is closed up when not in use was part of it. That is what a damper cap is for.
Our work
Our work in Wanaque
Damper Cap Installation and Two Fireplace Cleanings in Wanaque, NJ
Wanaque, NJ · Damper cap installation, fireplace cleaning
A damper cap installed and two fireplaces cleaned in Wanaque.
Read the projectWhat we look at
What a damper cap changes
Seals the flue
Closed, it works like a lid on the top of the flue.
Keeps out rain and animals
The cap also does the job of a standard cap.
Cuts down drafts
Cold air stays outside more reliably than with a loose throat damper.
Cable control
A chain or cable runs from the cap down to the firebox.
Learn
Is a top-sealing damper worth it?
A damper cap does two jobs: it is both a cap and a damper. If your fireplace feels drafty when not in use, if rain finds its way down the flue, or if animals get in, it solves several problems with one fixture. It is operated from the fireplace by a cable or chain, and it must be fully open before any fire is lit.
The trade-offs are practical: it has moving parts at the top of the chimney, the gasket wears, and forgetting to open it before lighting a fire sends smoke into the room. Our chimney dampers page has the options, damper problems covers faults, and the Wanaque project shows the job.
Always open it before lighting a fire. Many people forget once, and learn.
Housing profile
What the housing mix means in Wanaque
Housing skews mid-century, though the Census does not record chimney materials, so what a given chimney is made of is confirmed on site. After that many winters, the crown, mortar and damper are reasonable first checks, and a top-sealing damper like the one in the project above often joins that list.
Symptoms
| Symptom | Possible cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Cold draft when the fireplace is idle | Throat damper not sealing | Cap damper |
| Rain or animals in the flue | No cap or a damaged one | Cap or cap damper |
| Smoke into the room at lighting | Damper not fully open | Check the cable |
| Cable slack or stuck | Worn cap damper | Service |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does the damper cap need servicing?
The gasket and cable are the wear points. They can be checked during an annual inspection.
What if I forget to open it?
Smoke will come into the room, so put out the fire and open it.
Did the Wanaque job clean both fireplaces?
Yes. The project covers two fireplace cleanings and a damper cap, as shown on the project page.
Service areas
Other areas we serve
Chimney Academy
Guides that go with this page
Questions about your chimney in Wanaque?
Call us, or send a scheduling request. We will contact you to confirm. Your appointment is not confirmed until we do.