Our Process
Top damper installation in Lake Mary, in detail
The gasket that seals the flue
A throat damper closes metal against metal, which often leaves gaps once the plate has warped. A top damper's lid presses a heat-resistant gasket onto the top of the flue. Rockford Chimney Supply's product listing says the silicone gasket on the Lyemance flap makes a tight seal that prevents downdrafts, moisture and insects.
The gasket seals only if the flue top is flat and the cable pulls the lid down evenly. Our installers check the flue top on your Lake Mary chimney, set the lid square and adjust the cable until the lid closes firmly, then show you how the handle tells you it has sealed.
Anchoring the handle bracket in the firebox
The handle has to lock somewhere solid. The Lock-Top instructions mount the bracket on the firebrick toward the fireplace front, about 20 inches above the floor of the firebox, using two nail anchors in drilled holes, with the bracket squared before the second hole is drilled.
In your Lake Mary fireplace we place the bracket where the maker's instructions call for it and where the handle is easy to reach without leaning into the firebox. The anchors go into sound firebrick, and a cracked brick in that spot is pointed out before we drill.
The safety device supplied with some dampers
Some top dampers come with a safety device built around a fusible link on the lid. The Lock-Top instructions state that this device must be installed for the warranty to be in effect, and they show how it is assembled under the lid before the damper goes on the chimney.
Our installers fit every part the maker supplies for the damper on your Lake Mary chimney, including any safety link, and follow the assembly order in the instructions. Leaving out a supplied part can void the maker's warranty, which is protection you are entitled to keep.
What the damper estimate includes
The written estimate for a top damper on your Lake Mary chimney lists the damper model and size, the cable, handle and bracket, any mounting ring, any cap or screen and any repair the flue top or crown needs before installation, each on its own line.
The inspection behind it is free, the price is upfront with no hidden fees, and if you book within 72 hours of the free inspection, 10% comes off the work. Our family-owned team keeps the choices clear, so you can approve the damper and plan other repairs separately.
